Soldering iron recommendation

[Dirtman]

What do you guys use? I have an old weller 8200 140watt gun but it's big and clunky, and a bluepoint butane iron which is nice since it's portable but a little underpowered for wiring.

Just looking for something to do basic 10-16 guage automotive wire. Looking at the weller 40 watt pencil type. Is 40 watt powerful enough?

 

[Curious Hound]

For splicing wires, i use the weller gun. You need to be able to get some heat on it. A 35-40 iron will do smaller wire splices, like 18 and 16ga. For circuit boards, you need a fine tip iron in the 25-40watt range.

 

[Grumpaw]

X2. Been using the Weller for many years. for everything from 8-10 gauge to 16-18 on my RC stuff.
One of these wire holders is invaluable when doing fine wires. Many types and cheap.

 

[rumblecloud]

I do a lot of work on circuit boards, drones- basically whatever I can find to put heat to - lately that's been harnesses for ATVs.
I don't cart it around but you can if need be. It heats fast and will bring the heat with a wand or with air. It also functions as a multimeter, but I don't use that function. I think I paid about $60 bucks on Amazon but it looks to be unavailable. You can find it in other places I'm sure.

F2C 853d SMD DC Power Supply Hot Air Iron Gun Rework Soldering Station

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I prefer the cordless models, especially for doing intricate work on the go.

 

[19Walt93]

I prefer the cordless models, especially for doing intricate work on the go.

Years ago we used one of those to solder gas tanks. You'd move away from the tank and heat the iron with a torch so no flame was near the tank full of gas fumes. We didn't blow up so I guess we won.

 

[mikkelstuff]

I bought a Weller 260/200 watt gun for 14 gauge and up wiring. Soldering on terminals quickly takes the heat. Yes it is over kill but I crimp and solder terminals just to be sure. I just don't think a 40 watt gun will do it.

 

[Bgunner]

I have a 30 watt iron that just does not cut the mustard for auto wiring. It takes to long to heat the wire to get the solder to wick through the wires for a proper solder joint. It does the job I needed it to for my R/C cars but for auto work go higher than 40 watts.

Just my 2 cents and experience with my iron.

 

[Rick W]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, these are all great options, but what is actually available at the garage sale?

 

[Grumpaw]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, these are all great options, but what is actually available at the garage sale?

This.......

 

[sgtsandman]

When it comes to electrical work, I’m more of the monkey with a wrench. I blunder my way through it and am successful most of the time. But I wouldn’t recommend anyone take advice or tips from me.

 

[scotts90ranger]

we have one of THESE at work, it's pretty sweet

 

[Dirtman]

Hmmmm ok so forget the 40 watt.... I still really want a pencil type, What about this 80 watt?

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP80NUS-80-Watts-Soldering-Iron/dp/B00B3SG796/?tag=959media-20

I don't wanna spend slot and I'll still have the 140 watt gun if I need more juice?

 

[Curious Hound]

I always trust Weller brand. The 10mm wide tip on that is a lot bigger than I would want. But there should be other tips available separately.

 

[Shran]

I do 99% of my automotive soldering with a small butane torch. There are very few places it doesn't work, plus you can use it for shrinking heat shrink tubing.

For electronics soldering I've got several, including some very cheap 5w pencils, a couple small Wellers, a much larger Weller pistol, and a Hakko dual iron soldering station. If you really need a soldering station, I'd check out Hakko and clones of Hakko - they are bitchin. Top notch quality that you'd expect from the Japanese.