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Old 12th Nov 2019, 3:07 pm   #62
Radio Wrangler
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,799
Default Re: Soldering Iron For PCB's

I started with a big copper iron heated in the living room coal fire.
Next came a red handled Pifco electric iron (The one with a little light on a protuberance of the handle)

Then a 15W antex and a 15W antex CCN (ceramic shaft insulated)

Then the frankenstein Weller TCP made from salvaged bits and a home made PSU

Then some proper bases

Then the salvaged/repaired Metcals.

The Weller is great for larger jobs where the metcal has your hand a bit too close. I have 100W and 200W wellers.... 200W is good for plumbing with 15mm Yorkshire fittings!

For really big soldering jobs, I used to have oxy-acetylene gear which could do soft solder, silver solder and braze, but I've shifted to TIG.

If it's metal, I can join it, one way or another!

My only suggestion to the OP is to go for something good but second-hand rather than something new but not very good. The old stuff was built well and lasted well. Look around, ask around and see what turns up. Don't miss anything good if it turns up. The fancy stuff is affordable if you're lucky.

Use whatever you have to in the time being, but keep a watch out for something better.

David
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