What’s the current favorite soldering iron for track work and electronics?
What do the experts like? I’m using a cheap chinese knock off from Micromark. But it’s kind of unpredictable on temps.
I use a basic Weller iron for track work, I guess because I always have. For electronic work I use a Xytronic station, as was recommended by Randy Rinker and others years ago. Available at Amazon for about $65
Regards, Chris
Randy told me I would never be disappointed with this one and I haven’t been. My biggest mistake was waiting so long to buy one.
For more than 3 decades I’ve used a Weller soldering gun not sure the power rating for track work. Heats quickly and never melts ties. I can even solder the feeders to the bus wires without dripping solder down on me.
For decoders and other small stuff, I have a Weller soldering station. The temperature set about 300 degrees F. Rosin core .015 inch solder.
Pete.
I like and have been very happy with my Weller WESD51 60W soldering station. It can to both heavy (track) and light (electronics) work.
Hi Pete,
I presume you mean 300oC (572oF)? 300oF won’t even melt 60/40 or 63/37 solder. I generally do decoder and lighting installs in the 650o-700oF range.
Tom
I’ve had my Hakko FX 888D soldering station for 3 years and love it.
Takes 15 seconds to reach 600F. Very reliable and consistant.
Scott Sonntag
Tom.
I meant to type 600 degrees. I don’t know how I missed it. The solder is ultra low melt. I picked up a couple of spools when my local Radio Shack closed up.Sorry for the confusion.
Pete.
I had a Weller pencil iron that I used for about a year and now it won’t melt solder. My wife bought me this one off Amazon and it has a temp control. So far it’s worked quite well.
rio,
Is the tip on your Weller getting hot? Does the tip need cleaning or replaced?
A good tip is shiny. I blackened or oxidized tip, or a tip where the plating has worn off, won’t heat solder or transfer heat well. Cleaning the tip and leaving a blob of melted solder on the top before shut it off will help with that.
FWIW,
Tom
I checked those thing and the things you mentioned are good common sense steps which I tried. Since getting the new iron I haven’t gone to trying the Weller pencil iron - the new one has been working well. I soldered bunches of drops.
For electrical work, I will strongly recommend the Xytronic soldering station that Chris and Brent have mentioned. I have done a lot of electronics soldering over the past 55 years or so, and I have tried many soldering irons both cheap and not so cheap. The Xytronic station is by far the best iron that I have ever used!!! It is head and shoulders above the rest. My previous pencil iron was a Weller unit and, when compared to the Xytronic system, the Weller is a piece of junk. I know that statement will upset some people but I can only judge by what I have experienced personally.
I have had the Xytronic unit for more than three years. It has been used fairly frequently and I’m still using the original tip.
A couple of caveats:
There are Chinese copies with very similar names. Don’t get fooled. You can buy the Xytronic station directly from the manufacturer for about the same price as Amazon.
No soldering iron is going to compensate for poor preparation. Soldering is a multi step process, and you skip steps at your peril.
Third, I have a Weller gun which I use for trackwork. The Xytronic unit will do it, but the Weller is much faster which is nice when you don’t want to melt ties.
If you want me to post my soldering process, please ask.
Cheers!!
Dave
+1
I did much of my soldering work over the years with a variety of irons. Each had their own issues. When I decided to upgrade to sound decoders I got the Hakko so that I had more control.
I also wish I had taken the plunge many years before that. It heats up quickly and has accurate temperature control for a variety of projects.
Dave, good idea, why don’t you start a new thread on soldering tips and tricks, successes and failures and we can all contribute?
Hello All,
I agree…
…For precision work like decoder installations.
I use Kester® #24-6337-0007 solder; Sm63, Pb37 3.3% 0.015" (0.4mm), and SRA Flux #135 is formulated to be electronic component compatible.
I also have a 25W Weller pencil type for soldering track and feeders with Fry Technologies #13460; 60Sm, Pb40 0.05 solder, and SRA Flux.
My final step is to clean the solder joint(s) with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol on a cotton-tipped swab.
Hope this helps.
Hi Brent,
Will do!
Cheers!!
Dave
Plus one for the Hakko FX888D. I love mine.
Sounds like a good product. However, it might be worth noting that the Amazon price for the Hakko FX 888D soldering station is currently approximately $133.00 USD whereas the Xytronic station is $69.00 USD ±. I have never used the Hakko soldering station so I can’t compare the two. All I can say is that the Hakko station would have to be pretty good to outdo the Xytronic unit.
By the way, the Xytronic unit comes up to temperature very quickly too.
I just want to say again that I am not being critical of others’ methods or choice of equipment. I think it is safe to say that, if you are posting your methods on this thread, you know how to solder. My comments are for comparison only and they are strictly my opinion.
Cheers!!
Dave
While I am not an expert, I would also vouch for the Hakko. I bought mine about two years ago, and have no regrets. What I like is the quick heat up. Only thing that is a bit weird is the control to change temperature. Do not own and have never used the Xytronic, so can’t compare
Added a picture of it in action working on my loop extension of my layout. Well, I was not actually working on it this second, but it was setup so thought I would add a quick pic.
I also am a fan of the Hakko FX888D. As others have mentioned it heats up in seconds and has been very reliable. It has a silicone jacketed cord to the iron so it resists heat and is extremely flexible. I had mine for about 4 years now, bought it during the lock-down when I started getting back into my electronics hobby, as well as MRR.
Which Weller do you use for the trackwork? Yes, I am just returning to the hobby after a few decades. It would be nice if you could post your soldering process?