Not sure if it’s the right forum, but since I’m working on an EK hatch, here it goes.
I need help choosing a right soldering iron.

I’m working on a few wiring projects on my car:
Rewiring my ECU for mini-me, power door locks, cut-off relays/switches, fog-lights, side-markers, etc…
Some of the wires get pretty thick (so far I encountered wires up to 14gwg).
Until now, my soldering project have been pretty small, and now that I’m doing this, my equipment just doesn’t cut it.
I asked around at some install shops, and was told that the best one would be a CRAFTSMAN soldering gun (the one with a trigger).

What have you used on your projects?
Electric/propane?
Wattage if electric?

 

I like Hakko irons. I have the 936. You can get tips from very small for circuit boards to wide (about 1/4") for larger wires. It goes up to 900 degrees and the best part is you can find it at a good r/c hobby shop as its used for r/c cars too.

 

The soldering iron I have is a weller WLC100. It has adjustable temp, stand, sponge and gets hot as hell fast. They can be had for about $40~$60. price around.

Also because weller is a pretty common brand tips for it can be found at allot of places.

I have done a custom stereo adapter for my car, rc car battery packs/wires, injector wires, piggyback ecu, and numerous other projects with this iron. I have had it for about 10 years now that I think about it.

 

just get the ones at radio shack
they are $10

get the 15watt one

youc an get tiny tips too

 

yea i say just getting a cheap one from radio shack, i have like 4 of them all different prices and from different places but they all seem the same, except do not get one from the doller store

 

I need something that gets up to at leas 750*F.
I found one at Fry's for $12.99, but the installer said to stay away from the cheep ones.
He also recommended a soldering gun instead of a soldering iron (for safety).
I already have tow of them (soldering irons). Ones a pretty small one, and the other one's almost twice the size (I've seen them go for $15-20), but they're too week. They're good enough for 18, even 16 gwg wires, but don't get hot enough for 14gwg.

 

I was running 12 gauge wire for my rc car. I think the wlc100 is rated for 900°F max.

I usally had the iron set at 3 and it goes up to 6. If I put it at 6 the solder would stay liquified for a couple seconds after I removed the iron from it. I had some drip onto my leg once "ouch".

If you get another iron make sure you have a stand(make one) and a sponge. It will make life allot easier.

 

i just have a cheap butane one from home depot. it heats up faster than those ones with a trigger, and you don't need to plug it in anywhere. it's good for my purposes of infrequent use (i did my injectors, stereo, afc, turbotimer and various sensors).

 

gun type from radio shack, heats up really fast and alot easier to use than one of the "iron" types.

 

I am in need of one too. I was thinking about getting one of those cold heat ones that I see on TV. Anyone ever used one of them?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ninety5Ex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am in need of one too. I was thinking about getting one of those cold heat ones that I see on TV. Anyone ever used one of them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

In one of the rc car forums I visit there was a discussion about them.

Kids talking about trying to solder something, then touching the tip(as seen on tv ) Then burning the crap out of them selves. LMAO

They are junk.

Here are some reviews on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...07846

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dirty Dee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like Hakko irons. I have the 936. You can get tips from very small for circuit boards to wide (about 1/4") for larger wires. It goes up to 900 degrees and the best part is you can find it at a good r/c hobby shop as its used for r/c cars too. </TD></TR></TABLE>

thats the same model i use. great iron

 

I'm using a cheap ~$10 one from walmart. I needed one really fast so i stopped by and got it.
It works ok but wasn't really hot enough. I almost burnt myself really bad though when i dropped it.

hehe my dad was trying to tell me to get the cold heat one after he saw me drop the iron. LOL.

 

get the one thing on tv that doesn't pop the ballooon lol

https://www.asseenontvnetwork....21315/

oh yeah, i'm just using a cheapo one from radio shack i got for like 15 bux

 

hahahhaha i bet that thing really is hot and that dood is just hardcore lol

 

LOlOLololololoLOOlOLLo

 

Hakko is what we use here at the Bestbuy Service Center, but Weller is the best, but kinda pricey. Stay away from those crappy wood-burner kit type soldering irons. Get a real station with adjustable heat, if you are the kind of person who is always doing wiring and electronic stuff.

 

off topic...hafa adai chelu, where u stay?

 

one of these

has taken care of every automotive soldering need I've ever had.

The soldering stations are pimp though if you've got a lot of delicate work to do...

 

I have a radioshack one don't remember the model # but it works great haven't had any problems with it. Used it on motherboards and all.

 

Get a Weller Butane soldering iron. The tip can be changed to a smaller one, and can be transformed to a heat gun by changing the tip.