Soldering iron...any recommendation?

I need to get a soldering iron and i was wonder what is a decent one. I will mostly use it for cables and such. I might do something on a computer board but unlikely so i don't need 20 heads. I know Jim Hisert told me of a good one but i don't need a profession kit right now ^^ I am looking for a 20-50 dollar one so a range of ones would be awesome. Thanks!


HF

 

I absolutely love the cheap Chinese irons my boss bought for the shop and i'm not being sarcastic after changing the way i use and treat them i can make any tip last for ever. They also come with temp guage though it may be horribly off it gives me a ball park. They can go up to 400c and i'm pretty sure that's better than any name brand i have seen in store including weller and i have been to a few stores.

The cool thing is might be able to get one for 50 as we got the whole SMD rework station for $90. i use it all the time for reflows (even attempted a reball once), capacitor replacements and cables.

 

Soldering Station Features Continuously Variable Power Between 5-40W, a 1.5mm Pointed Tip: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

what kind of type do i need for wires? for small computer wires and wires that are like power wire in a vaccum...its about as think as standard speaker wire i guess. Ah a better description is like a 12v legacy cable thick...maybe a little thinner.

have you used that one vicious?

 

No I have not used that specific one but I know from using soldering irons that something I really like to have is adjustable heat.

For working on wires on the go when doing repairs I just use a battery powered one (or often don't solder at all and just use some form of crimps or couplings.)

 

Wires are measured in gauges. That should help.

Get a low wattage iron so you don't really hurt yourself or the electronics you want to work on. Something under 40W.

The first key to learning how to solder is knowing that an iron is not a spoon. The second is knowing how to keep your tip clean and tinned.

From there a lot of it is personal preference.

 

yea i was just asking because when you are dealing in the budget range on things like this they are filled with junk ones and a couple diamonds so figured i would ask and see if anyone had some good experience with one. I'll be reading up and watching some videos since last time i used one was over a decade ago when my dad showed me how to use one and it was a cheap plug and play one lol

 

I usually buy cheap because I don't use them that often and just buy a new one if I have a project that needs it. Depends on the project. I had a 40W iron that wouldn't melt the solder, so had to buy a 60W one, but at $8-10 each, I don't care. Usually use one or two times a year at best.

 

Yeah i was referring to low wattage irons in my first post, those cheapies pump out the heat. I can't stand low wattage irons.

 

I believe the melting point for typical solder joints is 180 C - 190 C, so as long as it will get in that range or hotter, it should work.

For your cables, I'm not sure what wiring you'll be soldering, but an iron that will heat to over 180 C (360 F) should suffice still.

 

Amazon.com: Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac, PHV1810: Home & Kitchen

it is some wires in this. I tore it apart to see if i could install li-ion cells ^^ but they didn't have long wires in there so by removing the pack it broke the soldered wire connection. I need to add some length so down the road i can upgrade it so i can have 15-20 mins of juice ^^ and not have to take 24 hours to charge.....the 24 hour charge time is the worse part of cadmium cells.

 

well i think i am going to get that amazon one when i buy my net shipment of supplies ^^. Need new tooth brush thing for my soniccare. What solder do i need for wires and such. I thought it is standard lead solder if i remember. Would an ROHS work or no? I try to avoid lead whenever possible. (I know computer work that is kinda tough)