Today I bought a Weller WLC100 Soldering Station. Anyone have this particular setup? If so do you like using it? When I started to research soldering irons and so forth I was really confused at what I should get or needed for my model railroading needs but this one looked like a good buy. The radio shack one I’ve been currently using on and off for the past couple of years is on it’s way out…
Anyway I was wondering does anyone have any soldering tips or know of any good resources online for achieving the best soldering results? I’m not sure that my technique is the best. What I do know is that I need more practice. As I’ve stated in previous posts I’ve started building my first layout and I’ve heeded the advice on soldering rail joiners. I think I may be using too much solder as when I stand back I can clearly see the soldered joints.
I’ve received a lot of good advice and thoughts in my short time on these forums and I’m sure I’m bound to get more on this topic as well.
I have the same Weller soldering station and like it very much. Although the heat is adjustable I generally use it at about 2/3 power for everything. When using low temp solder I turn it down to about 40% power.
I recommend dispensing with the wet sponge to keep the tip clean and going with one of the brass shaving bundles. I use this one:
Google solder iron tip cleaner for other similar choices.
I also have several different tips for different uses. A 1/8" chisel tip is probably the most useful for general work, including soldering rail joiners. I use a small pointed tip for electronics (decoders, etc.).
As noted in earlier posts starting with clean surfaces is a must as is rosin flux, either paste or liquid. For those rail joints, clean, apply flux, hold tip on the joiner to get it hot enough to melt the solder, touch the solder to the joint and pull the tip away.
If you get too much solder, you can remove the excess by using braided copper (available on a small spool from Radio Shack and others). Apply a little flux, place the braid on the excess solder, then apply the tip. As the solder melts the excess will be absorbed by the braid through capillary action.
One thing to remember is that most solders contain large amounts of lead, a toxic heavy metal. Lead accumulates in the body, and is expelled only very slowly over time. It is a good idea to not eat, drink or smoke while soldering as you may ingest lead particles that spatter. After soldering, wash your hands thouroghly to remove any lead particles on them and, if not removed, could be transferred elsewhere in your house or on to food.
The solder is quite expensive but I found no issues with tiny solder balls on PC board strips like I had with the standard Radio Shack rosin solder but it is my choice.
For DCC and PC board work, 50 percent heat and conical tip. Standard tip and 75 percent heat for soldering track feeders and the DCC buss wires.
Tip cleaner is nice tool that keeps the tips cleaner a little longer.
True. I find it’s best to have a can of beer nearby. That way you don’t have to touch anything that you ingest. The handy dispenser is also disposable when you’re done. [:-^]
