Soldering Iron

[RiffGuy]

What's a good wattage for guitar work? I usually use the Weller 25 watt iron, but it seems to take a long time to heat things up sometimes. I wish you could order soldering irons from Stewart MacDonald or some similar guitar-oriented site. I can't believe they don't have soldering irons. Radio Shack only has the 25 watt iron, as does Home Depot, I think. I checked Ace Hardware's website, and they have 25, 40, and 80 watt irons. Would 40 watts be too hot for guitar components?

 

[MikeS]

Re: Soldering Iron

I picked up my Weller 40 watt from Home Depot.

40 watts is fine for guitar work. It heats the pots up a bit faster then the 25, making soldering grounds easier. I do tend to prefer to use a 25 watt for connecting wires to leads. The 40 watt can burn up the insulation on wires very easily if you aren't careful.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Soldering Iron

40 watts is the best, at least in my opinion. With lower wattage irons, you need to leave the tip on the joint longer in order to heat it sufficiently. You're much more likely to burn up a pot by applying less heat for a longer amount of time than you are if you use a higher wattage iron for a shorter time. Radio Shack makes a surprisingly nice 40 watt iron that costs less than $10.

Ryan

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Soldering Iron

Another vote for 40 watts....I think that's what mine is.

 

[italic zero]

Re: Soldering Iron

+1 for 40. I think I have a switchable 25/40.

 

[casblah]

Re: Soldering Iron

I use a 60w Weller iron w/ no problems.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Soldering Iron

1.21 Giggawatts works best for me...oh wait...i ment 25w weller lol...i also have a 40w that works fine but i tend to use the 25w so i don't melt the wire coating at all. i'd rather be safe and use the 25w so nothing melts that shouldn't.

-Mike

 

[theodie]

Re: Soldering Iron

40 is ideall!!!! With a 20 or a 25 you end up heating up everything too much before the solder melts. With the 40, you just have to touch it to solder for like a second and its liquid. Your soldering results will be alot cleaner and your connections will be alot better with a 40.

 

[RiffGuy]

Re: Soldering Iron

Your soldering results will be alot cleaner and your connections will be alot better with a 40.

That's exactly what I need. Right now my connections are all pretty sloppy because it takes so long to heat things up and I end up doing a lot of re-soldering to make a better contact. Very annoying.

Thanks for all the input, guys.

 

[Chris P]

Re: Soldering Iron

Has anyone tried one of those "Cold Heat" outfits? They look like they would be a godsend if they actually work.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Soldering Iron

Has anyone tried one of those "Cold Heat" outfits? They look like they would be a godsend if they actually work.

Save your money, they don't work all that well. Go to Radio Shack and spend $8 on a 40 watt iron, you'll be much better off.

Ryan

 

[FretFire]

Re: Soldering Iron

I got a 25/40 switchable unit from Radio Shack, it's a kit that comes with the base, pencil iron, and sponge. I use it on 40, and it works great.