wrote:

ALDI are about to do a soldering iron kit for £6 that includes an 80W
iron. I read somewhere that you need 120W so I guess 80W would be too
weak. Any thoughts?

You need a really, really, big soldering iron. The local lead specialist
uses one that looks like a small copper axe with (I think) a 500W
element. I've seen suggestions that the smallest iron to consider for
lead canes is 300W.

http://www.tracysworkshop.com/p-1571...ht-soldering-i
ron.aspx?currencysetting=gbp&affiliateid=10051

http://tinyurl.com/6nlk3o

About £100 or so.

Oh, here you go, one of the right type at a sensible price (£25). I'd
get one quick before they go back up to £100.

http://www1.westfalia.net/shops/tool...ng_equipment/s
oldering__hard_soldering/soldering_irons/239971-1_soldering_iron_300w.ht
m

http://tinyurl.com/56nydh