Henley Solon iron

[ColinTheAmpMan1]

I have a Henley Solon 25 watt soldering-iron that gets occasional use on valve equipment where the tip isn't too bulky. A member of this forum provided a brand-new tip a while ago. Ages ago, I read something about placing a shim of suitably-sized aluminium foil between the tip and the aluminium tip-holder when replacing the tip. This prevents the build-up of crud and subsequent seizing of the bit, but I think occasional removal is also a good idea.

Colin.

[Raptornet]

Might keep hold of the case and see if I can get my hands on some better insides

[G6Tanuki]

I had one of their 15W 'precision' irons in times-past, but just like its Dee-Gee and Wolf equivalents the bit seized into the heater-part and trying to drill the snapped-off remains was a path-to-failuire.

[I also had an Enthoven "Superspeed" iron which used a carbon heater-element which got crazily-hot within five seconds of pressing the power-on ring]

Personally, I'd treat Solons, Dee-gees and Wolfs as interesting antiques rather than something I would use in everyday radio-repair operations. The world's moved-on, and now we have temperature-controlled soldering-stations that can deliver 50W of heat when-needed but control this to within +/- 25 Centigrade.

[Denis G4DWC]

I have both a Solon and an Adcola but in my case these are both 12v irons that I keep in my two old toy cars just in case something needs soldering They are both in pretty good condition.

Denis

[usradcoll1]

Originally Posted by barrymagrec

My Dad had one of those big Solons but after many years of occasional use the casing round the element rust through and he chucked it.

He also had a couple of the Adcolas but dispensed with them when a Weller became available.

Is the Weller you're referring to a gun or an iron?
I always thought a Weller soldering gun is the greatest thing ever! No soldering iron burns or damage. It cools almost immediately. I use one almost every day.
Best regards, Dave US radcoll1.

[Raptornet]

The Weller my dad has is a gun and I love it, I’ve used it for fine work but recently read they aren’t supposed to be suited to such work. Though I’ve never had any trouble

[Andrew B]

Heater Cathode Short: Bulging Cap: I also have one of the TBB's, cost me £2 from a car booty, excellent for model aircraft undercarriages and battery pack building.

[ionburn]

Originally Posted by Raptornet

The Weller my dad has is a gun and I love it, I’ve used it for fine work but recently read they aren’t supposed to be suited to such work. Though I’ve never had any trouble

In a previous job many years ago we used Weller guns all the time. They were ideal for general repairs as they were safer and for home visits there was no waiting time for things to cool. They had their issues, like poor heatup if the contacts were not good, and the tip tended to burnout at the worst moment (twisting the ends together was not very effective but could get you out a jam). All this was before static sensitivity became a big concern. I don't know how they would fare there. It was readily possible to use for much fine work but a normal fine tip iron was a better option.

[Heatercathodeshort]

I have seen an even bigger Solon quite recently but I cannot remember where! Absolutely massive. J.

[OldTechFan96]

Originally Posted by Heatercathodeshort

I have seen an even bigger Solon quite recently but I cannot remember where! Absolutely massive. J.

The 240W Solon might be what you are thinking of. They measure about 18'' long! And heavy too.

[ionburn]

On impulse I have just had a quick look around and found my 65W 110/120V Solon iron. I have not used it for years, although it looks good, the lead looking as good a new. It's unusual these days to come across an iron with wooden handle.

[BulgingCap]

Andrew B: It's very many years since I wound fuse wire around lengths of piano wire to make undercart for a Kielcraft Ladybird etc... memories.

I had forgotten this story until today: I used to work for long periods in the former Soviet Union. We were banned from using any local airline so often rented private jets. I was never happy with this arrangement as the Antonov 24s etc had a ready supply of spares lined up along the taxiways at most civilian airports, whereas the LearJets and Dassaults were extremely rare. We were delayed one day due to a illuminated warning light. It was getting late in the day and I helped the engineer with the huge French manual as he didn't read French and I did. I think he found a wire fault, so called for a soldering iron. After a long delay his assistant reappeared with what I can only describe as a cricket bat with a mains lead. We both burst out laughing. I don't recall whether the fault was fixed or not before we departed.
BC