Soldering pen, gun, or torch?

[teach]

Which one do you think works best? Any tips would be appreciated.

[bluesy]

teach... for general wiring get a fine tipped 60 to 100 watt soldering pencil. Anything smaller will be too cool to do the job properly. Larger (hotter) will melt too much . If you plan on getting into motor rewinding that is a whole nuther story. I picked up a used "pro" soldering station which has an adjustable temperature tip and a desoldering element. Check out e-bay for these.... Hope this is of some help...good luck. :cool: :cool:

[RC Freak]

the stick or as you say the pen works the best i think

[teach]

Thanks guys, very helpful.

[JP]

A soldering iron is what you want, with a "pencil" tip. I've had my best luck (soldering for 4 years) when its in the 40-50 watt range, with a standard "regular screwdriver" looking tip. If you want the best, look at Hakko. They are decently expensive (about $60-70) but are the most reliable I have used. The next best would be Weller. I have a $40 weller that lasted me 3 years, its was 40 watts. Also, Radio Shack makes a nice $13 soldering iron stand, with sponge to clean the tip. Hakko makes an even better one that has a metal shavings pad and holder, more sturdy, and more expensive. Use 60/40 solder that you can get in a lot of places in a spool looking holder. Dont get the stuff with flux in it, it's junk. I found the best flux is liquid. You can get regular or acid free type, but im sticking to the regular stuff now. Just dont breathe in the fumes, and you'll be fine. I got my flux from a slot car track.

60-100 watt is WAY too hot for RC. You can fry batteries while building them from the heat, which is why I stay away from sodlering guns.

Soldering Irons are like servos. The more you pay, the better you get. Hakko is DEFINATELY one of the greatest. Visit them here: http://www.hakkousa.com/
Hope I helped! James

[JP]

BTW, I recommend the 40 watt one. I use it for R/C. Part# 455-16

For stands, I use the part# 601 Or you can get the Radio Shack holder and get part# 559 under accesories.

For tips, I use "chisel" type.

Those are shown on the Hakko website. These aren't Hakko:

Desoldering: braid (copper). Very nice for small stuff. At Radio Shack for the larger desoldering stuff, I use a desoldering "bulb." A red ball looking thing with a white tip.

Solder: 60/40 No flux inside. Radio Shack sells some nice stuff, also found at Menards.

[Leet TC3]

JP - I HATE using those sponges to clean the tip. Do you ever use a tinning block? I just bury the tip of hot iron, and in one or two swipes the tip is like new.

[JP]

Yes, I hate wet sponges too, which is why I use that metal shavings thing on the website. I have used tinning blocks, and those are for exactly that: tinning. A tip only requires tinning when its brand new, and when the tip is in bad shape. It's not meant for normal cleaning. If you were to look at the website I gave, I found that to be the absolute best cleaning method. Wet sponges clean it very well, but turn the iron funny colors, and cool the iron off. Not very good, I just like that stand from Radio Shack because its very inexpensive, and compact. But nothing will beat what Hakko makes. I will always stand by Hakko; always.

[Ras Thavas]

I just got the Hakko 936 soldering station a few weeks ago. What a difference a quality soldering iron makes. I had a horrible time trying to build my first battery pack with a 40w radio shack iron. Now, its a breeze.

[combones]

Hey teach, is that tc3 running yet? http://www.plauder-smilies.com/person/pimpflash.gif

[racerman333]

JP- What iron holder are you talking about on radioshack.com? I found a few. Heres the links.
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F005%5F006%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=64%2D2078
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F005%5F006%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=910%2D3158

[JP]

I beleive the first one, cheaper online than at the shop...Part# 64-2078

ill take a pic of it if there was a place i could upload them to the net.