soldering iron woes

[john11]

Hi and thanks for reading this post.

At the moment i am using a 12 watt weller soldering iron model number 2012. It is fine for most work but when it comes to soldering something larger like power supply capacitors it has difficulty melting the solder.

As a quick fix i am thinking if wrapping some heat resistant tape around the barrel so that less heat radiates away through the barrel and instead is forced to conduct forward into the tip, thereby increasing tip temperature slightly.

Do you think this is a good idea and do you have any recommendations which tape (or anything else which could possibly be used) i should use.

Many thanks in advance. John

 

[telectrix]

buy a higher wattage iron for the bigger jobs. forget the tape.

 

[SJD]

As Tel said, get a higher power iron. Preferably a thermostatically controlled type, and preferably at least 50W. It will cost somewhat more than the type you have, but well worth it if you have a decent amount of soldering to do.

 

[ruston]

Yep, start as you mean to go on , get the tools to suit the job. That is just a bodge.

 

[telectrix]

be OK for a plumber then.

 

[DPG]

You can get some good soldering station type soldering irons (ie, the ones with the separate power supply box) for not a lot of money these days. Worth getting one where you can adjust the temperature with a control. Weller stuff is usually built well, but is a lot dearer than the consumer market stuff. Daz

 

[GLENNSPARK]

get a 100W one.....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

You can get some good soldering station type soldering irons (ie, the ones with the separate power supply box) for not a lot of money these days. Worth getting one where you can adjust the temperature with a control. Weller stuff is usually built well, but is a lot dearer than the consumer market stuff. Daz

you mean like a soldering iron station....
i have a catalogue from a friend whoos a machine tool dealer and also an agent for silverline....
theres one in there for about £65....
its 45W and fully adjustable...

 

[telectrix]

this should do you.

Soldering Iron 80w ANTEX Z42 - SQ8W270 | eBay

 

[jimmymac]

I've got a gas one which is pretty good but i don't do much soldering. I knocked it off the table the other day whilst it was hot. In my wisdom i tried to catch it before it hit the stone floor. I did catch it but on the wrong end.....ouch!