RCCrawler Forums

letus · 02-10-2009, 07:01 PM

The only soldering iron I've ever owned:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-...4316500&sr=1-1

I bought it when I was ~18 after having used various relatives crappy random solder guns & irons. I have been happy with it, never once had an issue, and never once had it not do what I needed. I have two tips, a small pencil (3/32?) and a medium (3/16?).

I think I paid ~60 bucks or so, and have recieved 15+ years of flawless use out it. So yeah, a good soldering iron is well worth the price.

kwal · 02-12-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letus

The only soldering iron I've ever owned:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-...4316500&sr=1-1

I bought it when I was ~18 after having used various relatives crappy random solder guns & irons. I have been happy with it, never once had an issue, and never once had it not do what I needed. I have two tips, a small pencil (3/32?) and a medium (3/16?).

I think I paid ~60 bucks or so, and have recieved 15+ years of flawless use out it. So yeah, a good soldering iron is well worth the price.

I have the same one and have used it anything from audio cables to 4 gauge power wire and it has worked very well for me.
Now I do wish I had a nicer one just because it's nicer, but I doubt I'll ever buy one since this one has done everything i have asked it to do

rhett314 · 02-12-2009, 09:44 AM

I use the radio shack 45 with no problems. Have had it about a year, and still works great for me. That being said, I would like to upgrade some day. But I'm in no rush.

krazikev · 02-12-2009, 10:40 AM

i bought a 7 dollor harbor freight solder tool it comes with 10 tips, had it for 3 years, solder all my motors and esc wires ect. with no problems!!

megacabcummins · 02-12-2009, 10:59 AM

I'm going to get the Hakko FX-901, then I can take it with me anywhere... from what I have read it works great for small stuff like we do on the crawlers.

cato · 02-12-2009, 02:38 PM

The only thing no one has touched on is what type of solder is being used!? I've had a 936 for ever, the only thing I've had any problem soldering or desoldering is Castlecreations ESC wires, They must use solder from "H3LL" cause it just won't work for me! I've found that if your using a mega-hi silver content in the solder it's a pain!! Just get a good 60/40 rosin core solder and some flux for the big jobs, make sure it's for electrical stuff not Plumbing applications. Give that a try, and all should flow well

Also tinning everything helps; but when done with the iron(for the day or just a few min.), always clean then tin the tip and it will last forever!!

letus · 02-12-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cato

The only thing no one has touched on is what type of solder is being used!? I've had a 936 for ever, the only thing I've had any problem soldering or desoldering is Castlecreations ESC wires, They must use solder from "H3LL" cause it just won't work for me! I've found that if your using a mega-hi silver content in the solder it's a pain!! Just get a good 60/40 rosin core solder and some flux for the big jobs, make sure it's for electrical stuff not Plumbing applications. Give that a try, and all should flow well

Also tinning everything helps; but when done with the iron(for the day or just a few min.), always clean then tin the tip and it will last forever!!

Most electronics sold in the US are RoHS compliant (since they are also trying to sell the same item in the EU, which enforces it) and that means no lead solder. So yeah, I would hazard a guess that is what is causing the pain with the ESC.

gta3wheeler · 02-12-2009, 11:32 PM

I had a 100/140W weller gun and it really didn't work good at all for RC wiring/battery bars. It was $30. I just bought a $36 dollar craftsman gun ~200W and it works great! The tips are just a little too big but they could be grinded down smaller probably...

activethunderrc · 02-12-2009, 11:51 PM

I have a weller soldering sation wesd something - 350 to 850 temp range - digital readout - 80 watts - perfect for the track and fits well in the tool box - light and powerfull - draw back is the price - $125.00 -

the3kid · 02-13-2009, 08:17 AM

I use flux and a quick heat of ~700-800 degrees for soldering. Flux will help alot. And the wires need to be clean. If their not clean then it is nearly impossible to make solder bond correctly

werewolf1983 · 02-14-2009, 01:10 AM

I hate my Iron. I want a nice one. It took me 15 min to get a traxxas conection on my battery to night.

Also what is tinning ???

aaugman · 02-14-2009, 01:20 AM

I bought a 936 from the LHS and it worked exactly the way a soldering iron should. i had my whole truck wired within 10 mins. I will hold onto this sucker for LIFE

sonicj · 02-15-2009, 01:52 AM

i bought a Weller PSI100K a few years back to suppliment my weller soldering station. my previous job required a lot of soldering and there were many occasions where moving the work was impratical. aside from the obvious great feature, its a very capable general purpose iron. the stock tips are a little large for some of the smaller joints, but smaller tips are available. its heats quick and is adjustable w/o changing tips! hot knife tip included. the hot air tip is AWESOME! heat shrink doesn't scorch as easily as with a torch or lighter. i've even use it for re-work on surface mounted components! anywho, VERY handy tool and should handle most of the demands of any rc modeler!

rex cars · 02-15-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werewolf1983

I hate my Iron. I want a nice one. It took me 15 min to get a traxxas conection on my battery to night.

Also what is tinning ???

I'm by no means an expert on this subject, but i'l give it a shot. Tinning is basically putting some solder on both components before you solder them together. I would guess that your connector problem is a lack of enough heat from your iron. Also a larger chisel type tip won't cool down as quick and help to put more heat into the parts being soldered. My personal preference for a soldering iron is the Hakko 936.

03kjrocky · 02-15-2009, 11:29 AM

Another vote for the Hakko 936

I have had mine for about a year and am very happy with it

Andsetinn · 06-09-2009, 06:31 PM

I used to have 48watt Solomon soldering station at home, I've also used Wellers (at work), but I've recently updated to the new LRP soldering station (at home) and must say that it's miles better than anything 've tried before. It's real professional quality, it heats up in about 15 seconds and has automatic off. I'm pressing my employer to get LRP soldering stations instead of the Wellers

.

toybuilder · 06-09-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letus

Most electronics sold in the US are RoHS compliant (since they are also trying to sell the same item in the EU, which enforces it) and that means no lead solder. So yeah, I would hazard a guess that is what is causing the pain with the ESC.

RoHS compliant solder is only about 3% silver and readily joins to non RoHS compliant solder. So that probably isn't the issue here. I have had no problems soldering CC products with regular 60/40 rosin core solder.

Evandiego · 08-06-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally bought a 45 W soldering iron from The Source (formerly radioshack). It performed okay but found out that they don't even make replacement tips for it! So I returned it and bought a 25W Weller from Canadian Tire and it melts solder fast! Weller irons all the way.

Duuuuuuuude · 08-06-2009, 05:37 PM

I got my 60w iron from Holmes Hobbies for like $6 or something. Cheap and works like a charm.

btw: tinning helps a TON.

Stormin2u · 08-06-2009, 07:51 PM

I have a Weller 30,40 and 60 all together under $35 I haven't found anything I can't solder a quality solder helps to. A 45 watt with the right tip should be hot enough.

02-12-2009, 10:40 AM	#24
krazikev Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: on the rocky trail Posts: 51	harbor freight solder tool -- awsome i bought a 7 dollor harbor freight solder tool it comes with 10 tips, had it for 3 years, solder all my motors and esc wires ect. with no problems!!

02-12-2009, 02:38 PM	#26
cato RCC Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: WHEAT RIDGE, CO Posts: 1,102	The only thing no one has touched on is what type of solder is being used!? I've had a 936 for ever, the only thing I've had any problem soldering or desoldering is Castlecreations ESC wires, They must use solder from "H3LL" cause it just won't work for me! I've found that if your using a mega-hi silver content in the solder it's a pain!! Just get a good 60/40 rosin core solder and some flux for the big jobs, make sure it's for electrical stuff not Plumbing applications. Give that a try, and all should flow well Also tinning everything helps; but when done with the iron(for the day or just a few min.), always clean then tin the tip and it will last forever!! Last edited by cato; 02-12-2009 at 02:41 PM.

02-10-2009, 07:01 PM	#21
letus Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Marysville Posts: 25	The only soldering iron I've ever owned: http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-...4316500&sr=1-1 I bought it when I was ~18 after having used various relatives crappy random solder guns & irons. I have been happy with it, never once had an issue, and never once had it not do what I needed. I have two tips, a small pencil (3/32?) and a medium (3/16?). I think I paid ~60 bucks or so, and have recieved 15+ years of flawless use out it. So yeah, a good soldering iron is well worth the price.

02-12-2009, 09:44 AM	#23
rhett314 Rock Crawler Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fernley Posts: 870	I use the radio shack 45 with no problems. Have had it about a year, and still works great for me. That being said, I would like to upgrade some day. But I'm in no rush.

02-12-2009, 10:59 AM	#25
megacabcummins Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marysville Posts: 452	I'm going to get the Hakko FX-901, then I can take it with me anywhere... from what I have read it works great for small stuff like we do on the crawlers.

02-12-2009, 11:32 PM	#28
gta3wheeler Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Willamette Valley Posts: 69	I had a 100/140W weller gun and it really didn't work good at all for RC wiring/battery bars. It was $30. I just bought a $36 dollar craftsman gun ~200W and it works great! The tips are just a little too big but they could be grinded down smaller probably...

02-12-2009, 11:51 PM	#29
activethunderrc Pebble Pounder Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: n.e.pa Posts: 156	I have a weller soldering sation wesd something - 350 to 850 temp range - digital readout - 80 watts - perfect for the track and fits well in the tool box - light and powerfull - draw back is the price - $125.00 -

02-13-2009, 08:17 AM	#30
the3kid Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Suburbs Posts: 406	I use flux and a quick heat of ~700-800 degrees for soldering. Flux will help alot. And the wires need to be clean. If their not clean then it is nearly impossible to make solder bond correctly

02-14-2009, 01:10 AM	#31
werewolf1983 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Redding Posts: 46	I hate my Iron. I want a nice one. It took me 15 min to get a traxxas conection on my battery to night. Also what is tinning ???

02-14-2009, 01:20 AM	#32
aaugman Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: in my bubble Posts: 532	I bought a 936 from the LHS and it worked exactly the way a soldering iron should. i had my whole truck wired within 10 mins. I will hold onto this sucker for LIFE

02-15-2009, 01:52 AM	#33
sonicj Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: panama city beach Posts: 2	i bought a Weller PSI100K a few years back to suppliment my weller soldering station. my previous job required a lot of soldering and there were many occasions where moving the work was impratical. aside from the obvious great feature, its a very capable general purpose iron. the stock tips are a little large for some of the smaller joints, but smaller tips are available. its heats quick and is adjustable w/o changing tips! hot knife tip included. the hot air tip is AWESOME! heat shrink doesn't scorch as easily as with a torch or lighter. i've even use it for re-work on surface mounted components! anywho, VERY handy tool and should handle most of the demands of any rc modeler!

02-15-2009, 11:29 AM	#35
03kjrocky Pebble Pounder Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver,BC,Canada Posts: 183	Another vote for the Hakko 936 I have had mine for about a year and am very happy with it

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06-09-2009, 06:31 PM	#36
Andsetinn Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Iceland Posts: 30	I used to have 48watt Solomon soldering station at home, I've also used Wellers (at work), but I've recently updated to the new LRP soldering station (at home) and must say that it's miles better than anything 've tried before. It's real professional quality, it heats up in about 15 seconds and has automatic off. I'm pressing my employer to get LRP soldering stations instead of the Wellers .

08-06-2009, 01:47 PM	#38
Evandiego Pebble Pounder Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 196	Originally bought a 45 W soldering iron from The Source (formerly radioshack). It performed okay but found out that they don't even make replacement tips for it! So I returned it and bought a 25W Weller from Canadian Tire and it melts solder fast! Weller irons all the way.

08-06-2009, 05:37 PM	#39
Duuuuuuuude Suck it up! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 11,652	I got my 60w iron from Holmes Hobbies for like $6 or something. Cheap and works like a charm. btw: tinning helps a TON.

08-06-2009, 07:51 PM	#40
Stormin2u I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2007 Location: Taylors Falls just hanging with the MNRCRC crew. Posts: 7,843	I have a Weller 30,40 and 60 all together under $35 I haven't found anything I can't solder a quality solder helps to. A 45 watt with the right tip should be hot enough.

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