I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot I
could damage the electronic components.


Dallas

"Dallas" wrote in message
...

I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time
I used it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin
wires together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

Sounds more like a 3 watt iron.

What you need is thermostatically controlled iron with variable temperature
and interchangeable tips.

Dallas wrote:

I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

You're doing something wrong then !

Graham

"Dallas" wrote in message
...
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot I
could damage the electronic components.



In reasonably skilled hands it doesn't really matter. For years I used a
cheapo Radio Shack 40W soldering iron, then later I bought a temp controlled
soldering station. If a 30W iron was not hot enough, you weren't doing it
right.

"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:uSFBj.6824$Y33.2818@trndny07...

"Dallas" wrote in message
...
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I
used it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin
wires together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot
I could damage the electronic components.



In reasonably skilled hands it doesn't really matter. For years I used a
cheapo Radio Shack 40W soldering iron, then later I bought a temp
controlled soldering station. If a 30W iron was not hot enough, you
weren't doing it right.


Maybe the tip has become FUBAR and you can't solder with them anymore.

In article ,
"Dallas" wrote:

I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot I
could damage the electronic components.


Dallas

I'm going to disagree with other respondents who are faulting your
technique. It might be, but it could well be the cheapo iron. You do not
need to spend $600 to get a decent soldering iron. Get a basic Edsyn or
Hakko or even Weller if you must, for little more than $100.

"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Dallas" wrote:

I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I
used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot
I
could damage the electronic components.


Dallas

I'm going to disagree with other respondents who are faulting your
technique. It might be, but it could well be the cheapo iron. You do not
need to spend $600 to get a decent soldering iron. Get a basic Edsyn or
Hakko or even Weller if you must, for little more than $100.


I used a cheap iron for years, yeah the Edsyn I have now is nicer, but if
the cheap iron is not doing the job then something is being done wrong.
Basic soldering can be done successfully with virtually any soldering iron
or gun.

Michael Kennedy wrote:

Maybe the tip has become FUBAR and you can't solder with them anymore.




Always keep your tip well tinned.


les...

In article ,
Dallas wrote:
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I
used it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin
wires together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

There would be no point in a soldering iron that can't solder two thin
wires so it must be faulty? A good 15 watt iron is more than adequate for
most electronics.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot
I could damage the electronic components.

Damage can be caused by the time taken to solder so the actual heat of the
iron isn't the only cause. You should remove the iron as soon as the
solder flows properly. Practice on scrap components.

Like all tools it's worth getting something decent as that should last a
long time. And there are plenty of reasonably priced ones out there these
days. A thermostatically controlled one is always a good idea. Then it
will have enough power for larger jobs without getting too hot when left
for a while.

--
*Vegetarians taste great*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
There would be no point in a soldering iron that can't solder two thin
wires so it must be faulty? A good 15 watt iron is more than adequate for
most electronics.

I often have that problem with my soldering irons. It's always a loose
or dirty tip. :-)

The only soldering iron I have ever owned I would say was defective
in design was a Black and Decker cordless iron I bought around 1976.
No matter what I was doing, it always ran out of "juice" with one
joint left to solder. :-(

Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/

In article , "Dallas" wrote:
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot I
could damage the electronic components.


Perhaps its also technique. I bought a RS dual wattage iron for a remote
project, worked fine for $11. I do like my 80 watt controlled iron as well
as my 250 watt RS gun for the big jobs. Used to use the Ungar
unregulated irons with about 45 watts, does most jobs. I've made dual heat
irons using a diode, as well as using a lamp dimmer for control. You don't
need expensive items.

greg

On 3ÔÂ12ÈÕ, ÉÏÎç7ʱ43·Ö, "Dallas" wrote:
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot I
could damage the electronic components.

Dallas



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On 3ÔÂ12ÈÕ, ÉÏÎç7ʱ58·Ö, Eeyore
wrote:
Dallas wrote:
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I used
it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin wires
together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

You're doing something wrong then !

Graham



Do you want access to China's massive pool of electronic
manufacturers... but lack the time to contact suppliers, negotiate
contracts, arrange shipping or monitor product quality? Don't worry -
Let seriouswholesale deal with all that for you.

*Check out the huge range of Gadgets, MP3 / MP4 Players, Car DVD /
Audio, and Computer Accessories now by visiting the online wholesale
catalog at seriouswholesale. com You'll have peace of mind thanks to
the seriouswholesale Quality Control, 12-month Warranty on all
products, and easy secure payment by credit card through Paypal.

Selling on eBay or your own online store? Send products direct from
our warehouse to your customers using our unique drop-shipping
service. You can profit by selling hundreds of different products,
without holding any of your own inventory! Any questions you have will
be answered by the seriouswholesale English-speaking customer support
team... Their aim is to make your China electronics importing business
easier to run than ever before.

Welcome to http://www.seriouswholesale.com.

seriouswholesale - Buy from the source, profit without the hassle.

- 12 Months Warranty - No minimum order restrictions - Drop-shipping
with no additional fee - Pay by safely by PayPal seriouswholesale
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On 3ÔÂ12ÈÕ, ÉÏÎç9ʱ35·Ö, "Michael Kennedy"
wrote:
"James Sweet" wrote in message

news:uSFBj.6824$Y33.2818@trndny07...







"Dallas" wrote in message
...
I'm going to put an electronics kit together that consists of soldering
components, including ICs, onto a PC board.

I have a new cheapo pen type 30 watt soldering iron. The last time I
used it I couldn't even get it hot enough to solder a couple of thin
wires together and had to resort to a 120 watt gun to do the job.

My question is, what is the preferred tool for the job here (without
purchasing professional equipment). My fear is getting something so hot
I could damage the electronic components.

In reasonably skilled hands it doesn't really matter. For years I used a
cheapo Radio Shack 40W soldering iron, then later I bought a temp
controlled soldering station. If a 30W iron was not hot enough, you
weren't doing it right.

Maybe the tip has become FUBAR and you can't solder with them anymore.- Òþ²Ø±»ÒýÓÃÎÄ×Ö -

- ÏÔʾÒýÓõÄÎÄ×Ö -



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manufacturers... but lack the time to contact suppliers, negotiate
contracts, arrange shipping or monitor product quality? Don't worry -
Let seriouswholesale deal with all that for you.

*Check out the huge range of Gadgets, MP3 / MP4 Players, Car DVD /
Audio, and Computer Accessories now by visiting the online wholesale
catalog at seriouswholesale. com You'll have peace of mind thanks to
the seriouswholesale Quality Control, 12-month Warranty on all
products, and easy secure payment by credit card through Paypal.

Selling on eBay or your own online store? Send products direct from
our warehouse to your customers using our unique drop-shipping
service. You can profit by selling hundreds of different products,
without holding any of your own inventory! Any questions you have will
be answered by the seriouswholesale English-speaking customer support
team... Their aim is to make your China electronics importing business
easier to run than ever before.

Welcome to http://www.seriouswholesale.com.

seriouswholesale - Buy from the source, profit without the hassle.

- 12 Months Warranty - No minimum order restrictions - Drop-shipping
with no additional fee - Pay by safely by PayPal seriouswholesale
Wholesale Co., Ltd.: Chinas original and best online electronics
wholesaler & drop-shipper: seriouswholesale. com

Thanks for the responses guys... sorry, I was too down with the stomach flu
last week to get back here. I suspect the iron, but I'll devise to tests to
see if it's fluky.

Dallas

"Dallas" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the responses guys... sorry, I was too down with the stomach
flu last week to get back here. I suspect the iron, but I'll devise to
tests to see if it's fluky.

Dallas


Just spend a few bucks and get a new iron, last time I bought one a 40W from
Radio Shack was under 10 bucks. If you plan on doing any serious work, pick
up a temperature controlled soldering station with a wedge tip, it's what I
used for most of my work.