Soldering irons

[Pea Turgh]

Somehow I’ve turned in to the bloke who fixes stuff amongst my circle of musicians friends.  I have an old soldering iron that doesn’t seem to get hot enough for modern lead free stuff, so I need a new iron.

 

Please let me know your cost-effective hobby-level bit alright soldering irons!

 

Thank you in advance,

Pete.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

In October I bought this one -> https://amzn.to/423AdgY . For £15 it was a massive upgrade from my previous crappy one from Maplins. When making up a loom, I can now use lead-free solder for back of the pot connections without needing to worry so much about effing up the pot.

 

 

Edited January 7, 2025 by Jean-Luc Pickguard

[Pea Turgh]

22 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

In October I bought this one -> https://amzn.to/423AdgY . For £15 it was a massive upgrade from my previous crappy one from Maplins. When making up a loom, I can now use lead-free solder for back of the pot connections without needing to worry so much about effing up the pot.

 

 

Ooh!  It’s got a temperature display!!!

[lemmywinks]

Can get some excellent USB Type C powered pencil irons now:

 

https://sequremall.com/products/sequer-s99-soldering-iron-support-pd-qc-dc-pps-power-supply-compatible-with-c245-tip-for-drone-rc-model-welding-repair-tool-anti-static-welding-pen?variant=42863253389500

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32904980528.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4@dis!GBP!58.20!37.19!!!!!@!12000017994797562!ppc!!!&gQT=2

https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-soldering-iron/

 

 

I have an older TS100 which is DC power only, it's been fantastic.

[Rosie C]

1 hour ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

In October I bought this one -> https://amzn.to/423AdgY . For £15 it was a massive upgrade from my previous crappy one from Maplins. When making up a loom, I can now use lead-free solder for back of the pot connections without needing to worry so much about effing up the pot.

 

I have the same one! Excellent value for what they cost.

 

[MichaelDean]

I've got a USB one. I've powered it from a power bank before when I couldn't find an extension lead to go to the dining table.

 

Mine is like this but blue. Seems to do the trick!

https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp740142/soldering-iron-usb/dp/SD02809?srsltid=AfmBOoq9o8ynuXfV4z9IUCargA8PSY6Sv-sku_AZahPyE8P4bsEaapzoCvk&gQT=1

[bremen]

On 08/01/2025 at 08:45, MichaelDean said:

I've got a USB one. I've powered it from a power bank before when I couldn't find an extension lead to go to the dining table.

 

Mine is like this but blue. Seems to do the trick!

https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp740142/soldering-iron-usb/dp/SD02809?srsltid=AfmBOoq9o8ynuXfV4z9IUCargA8PSY6Sv-sku_AZahPyE8P4bsEaapzoCvk&gQT=1

Does this have enough heat capacity for heavier jobs like soldering to pot bodies and chunky jack plugs? 10W doesn't seem very much.

[Bone Idol]

On 07/01/2025 at 20:55, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

In October I bought this one -> https://amzn.to/423AdgY . For £15 it was a massive upgrade from my previous crappy one from Maplins. When making up a loom, I can now use lead-free solder for back of the pot connections without needing to worry so much about effing up the pot.

 

 

I was going to suggest a Weller iron, as I've always used Weller soldering irons but after viewing your link, I've just ordered your one from Amazon... It's cheaper than a set of tips for my Weller!

[bremen]

[chrisba]

On 07/01/2025 at 20:45, Pea Turgh said:

Somehow I’ve turned in to the bloke who fixes stuff amongst my circle of musicians friends.  I have an old soldering iron that doesn’t seem to get hot enough for modern lead free stuff, so I need a new iron.

I've got the opposite problem. I lent my ( very ) old soldering iron to my boss, who, rather inconveniently, died before returning it. I didn't feel it was appropriate to approach his widow for it's return, so I bought a new one.

This is obviously designed for modern, lead free solders, but I've got a massive reel of the old stuff. The new iron seems to practically incinerate it rather than gently melt it. I guess I need to get some new solder to match.

[Pea Turgh]

6 minutes ago, chrisba said:

I've got the opposite problem. I lent my ( very ) old soldering iron to my boss, who, rather inconveniently, died before returning it. I didn't feel it was appropriate to approach his widow for it's return, so I bought a new one.

This is obviously designed for modern, lead free solders, but I've got a massive reel of the old stuff. The new iron seems to practically incinerate it rather than gently melt it. I guess I need to get some new solder to match.

I’ll post you my old one if you like!  My new one arrives from Amazon this afternoon 🤞🏻

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, bremen said:

 Shades of Boris playing guitar behind the capo.

[chrisba]

3 hours ago, Pea Turgh said:

I’ll post you my old one if you like!  My new one arrives from Amazon this afternoon 🤞🏻

Thanks, but I think I'll just get some lead-free solder instead.

[Richard R]

I had the same question last year.

This is the thread.

I bought the TS one my last post, it's been very good.

 

 

[bremen]

Does it have the capacity to solder the back of pots and similar heatsinking lumps? On USB power?

 

Looks well handy for the gig bag,  my Pace is about the size of an SVT.

[Pea Turgh]

Bought the one @Jean-Luc Pickguard linked;

 

https://amzn.to/423AdgY

 

Redid a pedalboard last night - wow!  It just works!  Can’t believe I put up with the old one for so long!

[Richard R]

Good tools that just work. One of life's  pleasures.

[NancyJohnson]

On 12/01/2025 at 11:06, bremen said:

 

You know, I've seen this picture dozens of times and despite the ridiculousness exhibited, every time I see it I consider how useful (and more accurate in use) a soldering iron you hold like a pen would be.  You'd be closer to what your soldering, less rotation.

 

 

[prowla]

Careful or you might get your fingers burned...

[prowla]

FYI, I have a really nice Hakko temperature controlled one...

 

...it's great for precision work but no good for guitars, as it won't do the blobs of solder on pot casings.

[prowla]

Incidentally, if you ever need a third hand soldering two wires together, I bought one of these; expensive, but saves a load of frustration...

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/iFixit-Soldering-Splint-Wire-Holder/dp/B0D5ZKWR8T/ref=sr_1_42

 

[prowla]

On 07/01/2025 at 20:55, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

In October I bought this one -> https://amzn.to/423AdgY . For £15 it was a massive upgrade from my previous crappy one from Maplins. When making up a loom, I can now use lead-free solder for back of the pot connections without needing to worry so much about effing up the pot.

 

 

I've just bought one of those - thanks!

(On offer at £11.99.)

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

52 minutes ago, prowla said:

On offer at £11.99

Bargain!

[bremen]

It's OK, works. The stand is a bit of a chocolate teapot (the iron is very light so the relatively heavy cable pulls it off [stop sniggering at the back]). A handy tool for the gigbag.

[rwillett]

Any recommendations for decent solder to go with the soldering iron please? Just ordered the £12 Amazon one andwondered if people can suggest a decent roll of solder to go with it.

 

Thanks

Rob