World-Designs-Forum  

Go Back   World-Designs-Forum > World Designs > General
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Gallery Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

General For anything else WD or hifi

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18th June 2023, 02:11 PM
mosschops mosschops is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2023
Location: pakefield
Posts: 28
Default solder iron

Hi All since my dad passed I am now having to sort my own problems with my kat 6550. I have two irons one at 25 watt not hot enough and one at 40 better but i still feel it could be hotter would 60watt be better
Regards Steve
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18th June 2023, 04:01 PM
TimN TimN is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Toddington
Posts: 116
Default Re: solder iron

Yes - or hotter. I've got a 60W but often wish I had a 100W. A 60W is smaller and more maneuverable. It can fit into smaller spaces - nooks and crannies. However, a 100W can heat up a joint much quicker. Horses for courses.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18th June 2023, 04:19 PM
mosschops mosschops is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2023
Location: pakefield
Posts: 28
Default Re: solder iron

Many thanks Tim I will order two
Regards Steve
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18th June 2023, 09:29 PM
TimN TimN is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Toddington
Posts: 116
Default Re: solder iron

One of each I hope!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18th June 2023, 10:40 PM
A Stuart A Stuart is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Selkirk, Scotland
Posts: 403
Default Re: solder iron

A new iron may be overkill. You are soldering bits of wire to tags, at the heaviest probably speaker wire to connector plugs, not copper water-pipes.

Different sizes of tip make a huge difference to your ability to transfer heat to the subject materials faster than it gets conducted away from the site.
This supposes that your iron takes interchangeable heads.
Also, does your iron have a variable thermostat?

On the other hand we all like new toys .
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19th June 2023, 07:27 AM
bob orbell bob orbell is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: kettering northants.
Posts: 2,731
Default Re: solder iron

I agree with Allister, temperature controlled soldering stations are the best, look at Antex soldering products, also solder makes a big difference, low melting point solder is what most use on here, lead free is not favoured by many as it requires more heat and does not flow nicely as dose silver basted solder, but this is only for SMT components. Bob
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19th June 2023, 03:21 PM
TimN TimN is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Toddington
Posts: 116
Default Re: solder iron

I won't mention my blowtorch then.

I use this solder https://www.hificollective.co.uk/cat...th-p-4627.html . It's a bit pricey but it seems to go a long way and I like working with it. Also, I don't like the idea of breathing in lead fumes - although I suppose people have used solder with lead content for many years.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19th June 2023, 07:20 PM
mosschops mosschops is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2023
Location: pakefield
Posts: 28
Default Re: solder iron

Many thanks all temperature control it is then .
Regards Steve
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20th June 2023, 07:19 AM
bob orbell bob orbell is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: kettering northants.
Posts: 2,731
Default Re: solder iron

Quote:
Originally Posted by TimN View Post
I won't mention my blowtorch then.

I use this solder https://www.hificollective.co.uk/cat...th-p-4627.html . It's a bit pricey but it seems to go a long way and I like working with it. Also, I don't like the idea of breathing in lead fumes - although I suppose people have used solder with lead content for many years.
Would not touch that stuff . Bob
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20th June 2023, 12:42 PM
Greg.'s Avatar
Greg. Greg. is offline
WD Archivist
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 3,582
Default Re: solder iron

Using the right iron and solder makes all the difference in this hobby and over the passage of time I have learnt a lot both from experienced/professional users and my own mistakes and experience.
I would recommend a temperature controlled iron. Both digital and analogue types work well. Weller is a popular choice which have a reputation for lasting many years of frequent use. A cheaper alternative is Antex, but they are less long lived. They are fine for the average hobbyist who is not using the iron every day. I used to have an analogue temperature controlled Antex which did me well for a number of years. I did need to replace the temperature control board in the iron, but I may have just been unlucky. I now use a Metcal which are stupidly expensive, but an absolute joy to use. I just happened to get lucky when I was offered a little used second hand one. I use four different bits depending on the job. A point bit useful for repairs on commercial PCB’s and three different sized chisel bits.
I suggest the use of a low temperature melting point solder which contains a little silver. I use, as do several other experienced hobbyists a 179°C LMP solder which is 2% silver, 62% tin and 36% lead. RS Part No. 551-671.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder/0551671
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright World Designs