markiemrboo Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Mine's a bit screwy. It gets the job done, but.. it's a bit nasty. So i'm looking for an iron with a finer tip (it'll likely get alot of use with computer tiny soldering vmod type stuff). Any suggestions? I think the wattage of the iron should be fairly low, right? I think the one have is like.. 25w, and I read 15-18W somewhere I think. Sound about right? I was looking at this one anyway: http://www.mackay.co.uk/acatalog/Catalogue..._Irons_571.html Fine tip on that, but is 12W good enough? Also, solder... I keep reading 'rosin' core, but can't find any yet. What's good about it? Does it make life easier? Would I be able to get away with this stuff instead: http://www.mackay.co.uk/acatalog/Catalogue...older_1708.html (the second item on that page). 0.7mm, so that's about the same... fineness... as the actual iron. A fine tip would make my life easier, I think. Soldering points tend to be tiny on all the soldering I end up doing. General advice really I guess Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobalt Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 (edited) I have 4 of them ranging from 18 to 80W. the one i use most of the time is the 25W, it melts faster and to me it works the best, but i guess it's how good you are with those things, personally, i wouldn't choose a 18W, too darn slow to melt solder. If you're like me, you get your piece in front of you iron in one hand and solder in the other, hold your breath and go at it it takes half a second to do the work, that's what i like lol And for that you ned something with more balls than a 18W lol the solder looks good though I also recently bought one of those cold heat, very nice little gadget, does the job but the point is too big, and you can get the pointy point but >think geek < the friggin leaches charges you double the cost of the piece for shipping, and you cant get the replacement points at any other place than those bas... :angry2: Happy soldering, dont burn your fingers lol Edited March 13, 2005 by kobalt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemrboo Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Oh, so like 12W is gonna be super slow melting then? Just that came with the super fine tip, which is nice... Burn my fingers? I usually tread on my iron... OW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastvfr Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 http://www.dutchguard.com/products/Cold_Solder_Set.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravix Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Cold heat doesn't work on sensitive equipment, so don't plan on doing any volt-modding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastvfr Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Yeah, I know...I was just trying to save his feet!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemrboo Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Yeah, I know...I was just trying to save his feet!! 441999[/snapback] haha very thoughtful of you, thanks I think I am gonna go with that 12W iron and solder I originally linked to. Maybe... or maybe I should get the 18W and buy a fine tip seperate, so if I ever need to do slightly bigger soldery bits then I can. Hmm, I dunno *cries* Seen this: http://www.brewstersbatteries.co.uk/catalo...&products_id=73 and this tip: http://www.brewstersbatteries.co.uk/catalo...&products_id=76 1mm tip vs 0.6mm tip. Argh. 1mm.. is that small enough.. hmm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardnrg Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 alright markie.. maplin have the 50W variable solder station with a conical tapered point tip for 13 quid (usually 30 or 40 quid) for maybe a week longer? it's a promotion... i have it... it's fully variable from er, very low to 50W... makes it VERY much easier to do surface-mounted pcb work like vmodding my 9800 pro... i had trouble even SEEing where i was supposed to solder to cos the tracks were SO small!!! but when my hand stopped shaking around like crazy (doesn't usually, guess i got scared with my first vmod) it was a piece a piss... i'd highly recommend one! fine pointy tip is standard, and you can get a chisel tip or a erm... what's it called? like a pencil rubbed down at a diagonal... like a straw on a Ribena carton! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemrboo Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Nice nrg, i'll give that a look right now, before sleep. Soldering = more important than sleeping My hands used to shake loads when I first took my iron to the xbox... i'm alright with it now though Pretty confident, I mean.. if I can solder these diddly little things with this piece of crap iron, a finer tip should only make it easier Is this the one? http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...rldID=&doy=13m3 Thing I don't like about maplin is they don't actually state the tip sizes Any chance of a picture of the fine tip you get with it or something, so I have a rough idea? mr ribena straw! I know what you mean though! Sounds .. a little too good to be true type thing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravy Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 i've got a butane powered one from radio shack, works great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardnrg Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Any chance of a picture of the fine tip you get with it or something, so I have a rough idea? 442046[/snapback] it is almost too good to be true... a 30 odd quid variable iron for 13 quid... bargin hehe... i'll take a pic right now next to a metal rule! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemrboo Posted March 13, 2005 Posted March 13, 2005 Thanks!! I'm still staring at that 18W Antex iron too I found a 0.5mm bit for it over at rapid, look out world!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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