There have been numerous postings here on the forum over the last couple of years dealing with gluing–techniques or choice of glues–but I don’t recall having ever seen a posting on the choice of soldering instruments. What soldering instrument do you use? and why?
I have never had good luck with a gun so my preference is for an iron. The Air Force used to issue me a large iron, a small pencil-style iron, and a gun in my toolboxes but my gun seldom got used!
I have a Weller gun, but I picked up a 65W pencil iron at an electronics place for $15, and that’s all I use now. It’s variable, too, so I don’t need to crank it up all the way, all the time, and I’m happier with that for circuit-board work. Smaller tip, and easier to control.
It does have some warm-up time, but not much.
One thing I do like about a gun, though. It’s normally off, and you need to hold the trigger down to turn it on. So, if you walk away and forget it, it’s off. That’s not always the case with an iron. In some cases, that could be a real safety problem, so if you’re the forgetful type, well, uh, what was I talking about? Oh, yeah, soldering irons. If you can’t remember to unplug your iron, then maybe you should stick to using a gun.
The large coil that enables a gun to heat up very fast creates a lot of magnetism that can induce a rather sustantial current flow in solid state devices like decoders. I would stick to irons.
Since I’ve exclusively used irons to solder with, that’s my preference. I also like how it feels in my hands - especially when getting into tight places.
Tom
Irons for soldering feeders to track, guns for soldering feeders to the buss line, and a resistance soldering unit with needle probe tips for everything else (lots of soldering brass to brass in steam modeling, mostly!).
I’ve never had to do a sweat solder joint in the hobby, so I don’t own a butane torch (another soldering option).
Guns heat up faster, and cool right down so you can set them down without leaving ugly burn marks. Irons take longer to heat from cold, and you need a fire proof stand to set them down in. Once hot, the iron tip holds more heat than the tip of a gun, so a large hot iron will heat rail to soldering temp faster than a gun. Both will do a good job on larger stuff. I use my smallish iron for fine work or PC board work.
Most of the soldering I do is brass to brass on my scratchbuilt steam engines. for this I use a small butane torch. I use my variable wattage iorn for delicate brass parts and to solder wires.
John.
I use a Weller 100/140 watt gun for soldering everything. From decoders to buss lines. Due to nerve problems I have trouble handling an iron or pencil so the gun is the natural choice. Plus the gun is hot only when I need it to be instead of all the time like an iron so there’s only a minimal chance I’ll put a hand down on a hot tool, easy to do when you can’t feel pain in your hands.
Although I have no nerve/sensation issues, I use a Weller gun for the same reasons as Jeffery and I use it for everything.
I used to use a Weller gun, but I found the tip way too big for most electronic soldering jobs. If a there is a really fine pointy tip that can be attached to the gun, it might come in handy for some projects.
Soldering Iron, a Weller SP23L. I’ve tried a soldering gun before and didn’t like it because it’s to bulky for what I normally solder (wires and LEDs).
I’m thinking about getting one of these though so I quit melting the insulation on wires:
http://www.americanbeautytools.com/site/index.php?req=prod&cat=hobby
the only problem is it cost 300 bucks, but I like the tweezer design.
I use the Weller 100/140 gun. I like it for the reason mentioned above.
I first tried an iron but it didn’t work well for me. It was probably my fault since I didn’t know how to use it. With the Weller, I read the book first [:D]
Enjoy
Paul
After going through probably a dozen pencil soldering irons over the years, someone on this forum ( I don’t recall who) convinced me to buy a Weller 100/140 watt gun. I wish I had done so years ago. For all the reasons described in this thread, I like it and it does a better job.
John Timm
A very old weller 180/240 gun thats hard to find tips and the bulb blew out 20 years ago for track and feeders. It heats super fast and never melts a tie.
Fine tip pencil 15 watt iron for decoders and electronics.
Pete
Believe it or not those lil hardware stores … mom and pop types carry most of those parts and tips .
Ole Timer
The last time I found tips I bought 3 packs of 2. Thats all they had and the owner said thats all he will order he believes they have been discontinued. The bulb I could care less for. I always work in good lighting and the bulb would not make a big difference.
Pete
Pete, was that a red bakelight gun? I had a high wattage Weller years ago, but sold it at a garage sale because I didn’t use it. I remember it got hot really fast, and the tips weren’t too easy to come by. The bulb still worked, though.
To answer the original question, a gun for trackwork and heavy wiring, and an iron for smaller electronics and PC Boards.
Hm. After reading these posts, my advice is shot to bits. I have had several soldering guns. The ones I’ve had lasted no time at all. Blackand Decker, Craftsman and Weller. None lasted more than a few uses. the iron i have now, a Weller sold by either MAC Tools or MATCO Tools, I don’t remeber which, is still going strong after 10 years. I choose Iron. also it is easier, for me, to use. The only problem is the tip is getting worn to the point of having to be replaced and the places around here do not sell tips for this gun. The shaft that goes into the pencil iron is huge compared to most even though the tip is smaller. I’m retired and no longer have access to the Tool trucks so I guess I’ll have to buy a different Iron. And yes it will be an Iron.
I’ve not heard of anyone using the carbon “Cold Heat” or instant heat and instant cold type (or whatever they are called).
My posting was inquiring about the readership’s preference for equipment and why they felt more comfortable with one instrument as opposed to another.
What then, I ask you, is your preference? a gun or an iron? and why do you feel more comfortable with one than the other?