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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Soldering iron flex
I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. A lot nicer to use than the standard flex I've always had before but, in the 18/24 months I've had it, I've had to to chop the plug off 3 times and remake the end as the cable cores have broken near the strain relief. This last time I've also had to redo the element end. Because it's pliable the silicone is also very strechy and it takes its toll on the wire inside (which, incidentally, seems to be steel rather than copper.) After the first time, which I put down to letting the plug drop before coiling it back up, I've been careful but it still gives out. It lives in the toolbox as it has to travel rather than on a desk but doesn't have a particularly abused life. So, before I end up with a 6" mains lead, where can I get a different grade of silicone something tougher if slightly less flexible? Or even the same stuff as I have now - can't seem to turn any up on eBay? -- Scott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? |
#2
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Soldering iron flex
On 23/03/2018 21:42, Scott M wrote:
I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. A lot nicer to use than the standard flex I've always had before but, in the 18/24 months I've had it, I've had to to chop the plug off 3 times and remake the end as the cable cores have broken near the strain relief. This last time I've also had to redo the element end. Because it's pliable the silicone is also very strechy and it takes its toll on the wire inside (which, incidentally, seems to be steel rather than copper.) After the first time, which I put down to letting the plug drop before coiling it back up, I've been careful but it still gives out. It lives in the toolbox as it has to travel rather than on a desk but doesn't have a particularly abused life. So, before I end up with a 6" mains lead, where can I get a different grade of silicone something tougher if slightly less flexible? Or even the same stuff as I have now - can't seem to turn any up on eBay? Can you sleeve the last few inches with sticky heat shrink to make it a bit more robust? And then clamp the strain relief on that, obviously. |
#3
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Soldering iron flex
newshound wrote:
On 23/03/2018 21:42, Scott M wrote: So, before I end up with a 6" mains lead, where can I get a different grade of silicone something tougher if slightly less flexible? Or even the same stuff as I have now - can't seem to turn any up on eBay? Can you sleeve the last few inches with sticky heat shrink to make it a bit more robust? And then clamp the strain relief on that, obviously. That's a good thought. Not got any sticky stuff but I suppose a squeeze of glue might work. -- Scott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? |
#4
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Soldering iron flex
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 22:39:07 +0000, Scott M wrote:
newshound wrote: On 23/03/2018 21:42, Scott M wrote: So, before I end up with a 6" mains lead, where can I get a different grade of silicone something tougher if slightly less flexible? Or even the same stuff as I have now - can't seem to turn any up on eBay? Can you sleeve the last few inches with sticky heat shrink to make it a bit more robust? And then clamp the strain relief on that, obviously. That's a good thought. Not got any sticky stuff but I suppose a squeeze of glue might work. Strangely, I've had a similar Antex (my first only lasted about 35 years) and I too went for the silicone cable. Never had any problem. It could be that I hold it differently, or something. It's partly pensioned off as I have splashed out out a new Weller WT1010. Gulp. -- My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message. Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org *lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor |
#5
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Soldering iron flex
Bob Eager wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 22:39:07 +0000, Scott M wrote: Strangely, I've had a similar Antex (my first only lasted about 35 years) and I too went for the silicone cable. Never had any problem. It could be that I hold it differently, or something. This gets coiled up and put in the small tool box and comes out once per job rather than living on a bench which probably doesn't help. My previous one was a PVC cabled 18W Weller which was lasted years until the element went when it was dropped hot. I replaced it but the new element never ran as hot :-( -- Scott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? |
#6
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Soldering iron flex
In article ,
Scott M wrote: This gets coiled up and put in the small tool box and comes out once per job rather than living on a bench which probably doesn't help. I'd say an Antex a bit delicate for that sort of use. You want something like a Henley Solon. ;-) -- *Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#7
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Soldering iron flex
On 23/03/2018 22:39, Scott M wrote:
newshound wrote: On 23/03/2018 21:42, Scott M wrote: So, before I end up with a 6" mains lead, where can I get a different grade of silicone something tougher if slightly less flexible? Or even the same stuff as I have now - can't seem to turn any up on eBay? Can you sleeve the last few inches with sticky heat shrink to make it a bit more robust? And then clamp the strain relief on that, obviously. That's a good thought. Not got any sticky stuff but I suppose a squeeze of glue might work. Ordinary heat shrink might work too. I also thought about injecting some hot melt adhesive around the strain relief. IMHO it is well worth having some "sticky heat shrink" in any toolbox, readily available in all sizes on eBay. |
#8
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Soldering iron flex
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M
wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Hmm! Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. If the iron is class 1 then stick a length of PVC cable on it. If you burn through the insulation there is no significant risk and you will probably have a nasal, visible and acoustic indication of the event. I owned and trashed literally hundreds of 25W irons in my time. I was not the most cautious worker, but never ever burnt a flex down to its conductors. Later on we used Weller soldering stations, with silicone cable. These were well and truly hammered, they were in virtually constant use, all day, every day. A bit would last a few days at most, even with Savbit a week was stretching the lifespan of the bit. I never ever replaced a silicone cable. The nature of the work meant that the irons were often used at full stretch when trying mass component swaps in large drives, so even a guitar string emulation was not detrimental. AB |
#9
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Soldering iron flex
On Saturday, 24 March 2018 00:56:41 UTC, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Hmm! Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. If the iron is class 1 then stick a length of PVC cable on it. If you burn through the insulation there is no significant risk and you will probably have a nasal, visible and acoustic indication of the event. Rubber is better, it burns through much slower & more nasally. I owned and trashed literally hundreds of 25W irons in my time. I was not the most cautious worker, but never ever burnt a flex down to its conductors. Later on we used Weller soldering stations, with silicone cable. These were well and truly hammered, they were in virtually constant use, all day, every day. A bit would last a few days at most, even with Savbit a week was stretching the lifespan of the bit. how on earth did you manage that? throw them away without bothering to clean or file? Broken thermostat? NT |
#11
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Soldering iron flex
Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. Que? It's mechanical wear and tear to the conductors, nothing to do with wrapping the cable round the hot bit! -- Scott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? |
#12
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Soldering iron flex
Scott M wrote:
Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. Que? It's mechanical wear and tear to the conductors, nothing to do with wrapping the cable round the hot bit! It is the choice of silicone in the first place that is based on fear of burning PVC. -- Roger Hayter |
#13
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Soldering iron flex
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 10:32:04 +0000, Roger Hayter wrote:
Scott M wrote: Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. Que? It's mechanical wear and tear to the conductors, nothing to do with wrapping the cable round the hot bit! It is the choice of silicone in the first place that is based on fear of burning PVC. Not with mine - it was a small iron being difficult to use in awkward places with a 'flex' thet almost controlled where the bit went. I rewired 3 of them and they were much easier to use. -- Peter. The gods will stay away whilst religions hold sway |
#14
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Soldering iron flex
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#15
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Soldering iron flex
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 07:31:43 +0000, Scott M wrote:
Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. Que? It's mechanical wear and tear to the conductors, nothing to do with wrapping the cable round the hot bit! Exactly, but if contact with heat is not a worry, why silicone cable? PVC is fine, if you look hard you can find some that will set like a poker in cold weather, and maybe a 15W litesold might be too light for PVC, but a 25W iron is o/k with the cable supplied if the manufacturers choice is PVC. I have used just about every available 25W iron and used them in all temperatures with no problem. I suppose some workshops were a bit frosty first thing, but if it was cold enough to stiffen the mains cable to the iron, the shivering of the operator would ensure a multitude of dry joints anyway. Better to wait for the heating to kick in. Weller only supplied their soldering stations with silicone cable, but this was never a factor in choosing the equipment. Should another maker produce the same with PVC cable, if the cost saving was channeled through to the final price, then the Weller wouldn't have been ordered. AB |
#16
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Soldering iron flex
On Saturday, 24 March 2018 10:40:24 UTC, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 07:31:43 +0000, Scott M wrote: Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:42:57 +0000, Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. Que? It's mechanical wear and tear to the conductors, nothing to do with wrapping the cable round the hot bit! Exactly, but if contact with heat is not a worry, why silicone cable? PVC is fine, if you look hard you can find some that will set like a poker in cold weather, and maybe a 15W litesold might be too light for PVC, but a 25W iron is o/k with the cable supplied if the manufacturers choice is PVC. I have used just about every available 25W iron and used them in all temperatures with no problem. I suppose some workshops were a bit frosty first thing, but if it was cold enough to stiffen the mains cable to the iron, the shivering of the operator would ensure a multitude of dry joints anyway. Better to wait for the heating to kick in. Weller only supplied their soldering stations with silicone cable, but this was never a factor in choosing the equipment. Should another maker produce the same with PVC cable, if the cost saving was channeled through to the final price, then the Weller wouldn't have been ordered. AB PVC is fine. At least until the tip touches it and you have exposed conductors. I suppose cotton covered rubber, the old iron flex, would beat rubber alone. NT |
#17
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Soldering iron flex
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#18
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Soldering iron flex
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#19
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Soldering iron flex
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 00:56:35 +0000, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. I bought it for the flexibility. -- My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message. Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org *lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor |
#20
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Soldering iron flex
On 24 Mar 2018 11:05:16 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 00:56:35 +0000, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. I bought it for the flexibility. Then I wish you luck. My physio say's "lose weight and exercise". Silicone cable sounds easier, I'll try to bring her round :-) AB |
#21
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Soldering iron flex
In article ,
Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. -- *Forget about World Peace...Visualize using your turn signal. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#22
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Soldering iron flex
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:03:01 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. No. It may seem like a good idea to use silicone cable on an iron, but the level of dexterity and skill required for an adequate joint automatically precludes the random or careless positioning of an iron so that it burns the flex. You have to apply a small degree of thought, although it seems the cooking the flex isn't the reason anyway. Although the damage to PVC is not a consideration now, the basic assumption and reasoning are still valid, and could indeed be applied to a new or intended purchase. AB |
#23
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Soldering iron flex
In article ,
Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:03:01 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. No. It may seem like a good idea to use silicone cable on an iron, but the level of dexterity and skill required for an adequate joint automatically precludes the random or careless positioning of an iron so that it burns the flex. If you are so cack handed to try and solder the flex rather than the joint I'd suggest you give up now... -- *I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#24
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Soldering iron flex
On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 00:23:10 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:03:01 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. No. It may seem like a good idea to use silicone cable on an iron, but the level of dexterity and skill required for an adequate joint automatically precludes the random or careless positioning of an iron so that it burns the flex. If you are so cack handed to try and solder the flex rather than the joint I'd suggest you give up now... Why dont you read and try to understand the post prior to responding? You do look an idiot selectively responding to the bits that pop up as being relavant. No need to guess where you stand on Trump, Football Thuggery and Brexit. It's patently obvious AB |
#25
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Soldering iron flex
In article ,
Dave Plowman (News) wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:03:01 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. No. It may seem like a good idea to use silicone cable on an iron, but the level of dexterity and skill required for an adequate joint automatically precludes the random or careless positioning of an iron so that it burns the flex. If you are so cack handed to try and solder the flex rather than the joint I'd suggest you give up now... some cheaper irons have very stiff "flex". -- from KT24 in Surrey, England "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle |
#26
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Soldering iron flex
On Saturday, 24 March 2018 18:11:31 UTC, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. I don't think they're the cause of it. At least I hope not NT |
#27
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Soldering iron flex
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#28
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Soldering iron flex
On Saturday, 24 March 2018 20:39:59 UTC, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:11:33 -0700 (PDT), tabbypurr wrote: On Saturday, 24 March 2018 18:11:31 UTC, Dave Plowman (News) wrote: In article , Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote: Silicone cable sounds good, but if you are in danger of burning the cable, it suggests a problem with technique, not materials. ********. I don't think they're the cause of it. At least I hope not It's a general term, roughly translated it equals "I dont understand the question or the answer, I don't want to seem a silent idiot, so I will post a naughty word that I hope everyone will think is a deep meaningful response, full of mystery to the layman but implying a profound level of understanding well in excess of anything my brain cell could actually accomplish" AB Sometimes. Sometimes not. NT |
#30
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Soldering iron flex
In article ,
Scott M wrote: I've got a 25W Antex iron with, on the recommendations of those here, the silicone cable. A lot nicer to use than the standard flex I've always had before but, in the 18/24 months I've had it, I've had to to chop the plug off 3 times and remake the end as the cable cores have broken near the strain relief. This last time I've also had to redo the element end. How odd. Antex has been my favourite for years. But a 50 watt low volt type. Never had cable troubles. -- *In "Casablanca", Humphrey Bogart never said "Play it again, Sam" * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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