Soldering Iron???

[HERTS P&D]

I have got a 15w and a 25w soldering iron they both seem very weak for general soldering.

What wattage should I go for??

Andy

 

[OwainDIYer]

what do you mean by 'general soldering'?

25 watt is okay for discrete component electronics assembly and repair, for anything heftier you will need a larger iron.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Sorry when I mean general, I mean working on car electrics.

Andy

 

[OwainDIYer]

probably looking for a 40W then

http://www.bodyshop-tools-supplies.co.uk/product_view.php?id=12530

 

[dhutch]

Should be able to solder most things on a car with a 25w, I use a 25w antex and have no issues. But yes, 40/50w will give you more poke.

Daniel

 

[Whitespirit66]

Is their any nice brand of soldering that better to use guys?

Weller are very good. Got a 40W for lighter stuff and a 100W gun type.

 

[Monkeh]

I use about 70W (would have to check when hot..) for everything from SMD to soldering terminals on 6mm² wire. Good luck doing a D2PAK with 25W.

The more power available the better, you just need to have it properly controlled.

 

[danechip]

Maybe these are older irons that aren't quite hot enough for the lead free solder we now use. I've had to throw a couple away.

Temperature controlled is a lot easier to work with imho.

 

[Monkeh]

the lead free solder we now use.

Speak for yourself.

 

[danechip]

Agreed there. I have 2 and a half rolls of 60/40, dreading the day I ever run out. I remember the night we were handed several rolls and tubes of paste and told to get on with it. Automated machines were using a new tip every 6 hours for having it running so hot, still doesn't flow properly for me.

 

[Monkeh]

You can still get 60/40. Or better yet, 63/37 or 62/36/2. Costly, though, but so is lead-free. Good solder costs good money.