soldering iron
Looking to buy one looking for automotive use. Any brand and watt suggestions?
I'm not sure there IS any "one" iron/ gun
For most daily soldering of wires, I don't like an iron as I don't have to wait. I still use a transformer type Weller. which heats up quick. But I'm an old guy, and I keep my eyes open at garage sales, thrift stores. Hell I can't CARRY all the irons and guns and soldering stations I've got
For LIGHT wire soldering, the "regular size" Weller (8100?) is OK, and heats fast, and if you don't mind waiting, an electric 50W or so iron is OK. The thing about irons is that the TIP SIZE makes a huge difference as to "capacity." For auto use, you don't want some delicate little thing meant for circuit boards.
BETTER if you anticipate soldering heavier, no12/ no10 stuff is the big old heavy 550 series like this
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N7S1/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=3782460081&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16715432281478818337&hvpone=42.05&hvptwo=40&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_955yslg8o6_e"]Weller D550PK 120-volt Professional Soldering Gun Kit 260/200 Watts - Amazon.com[/ame]
The disadvantage to ANY transformer gun is you have to "teach yourself" that every time you get it out of the drawer, you "wiggle" the element clamp nuts to make contact. They seem to lose contact from frequent heat cycles and oxidation. This is not a big deal, and to me is second nature
I have a Weller one of the "big blue" Butane irons, and it puts out a LOT of heat, but I see that they are now really expensive.
Frankly I think everybody needs a good old fashioned about an 80 watt "big iron." Something with about a 5/16 dia tip, these things will solder anything short of battery cables. I've picked up a few of these at garage sales or thrift stores, typically for 2- 5. bucks
