Soldering Iron recomendations.

coreywebster · Aug 19, 2016

Hey folks.

I have some clu046-1212s to build a Veg light or two and by Monday will have some new 058-1825s, heat sinks and drivers are on the way.
Over the weekend I plan on ordering some sheet aluminium for the veg light and some angle for the 058s which are for flower tent.
There are lots of little things I have not yet bought. Main one being a good soldering iron.

Can anyone suggest a good wattage for a soldering iron? I hear the Citizens are a bit tricky and delicate.

I also want to check a few things

16gauge wire is good for the clu058-1825s ran @ 1400ma?
Thermal paste or epoxy I have not yet thought about. I believe the 058s come with holder but have yet to see how that works. But for the veg light I plan on sticking them on with thermal epoxy. Does anyone have any good links for Europe or UK or a particular brand which is best?

Appreciate any advice especially from @nevergoodenuf and @loftygoals

Cheers Folks
C.W

nevergoodenuf · Aug 19, 2016

I would get some Binder and Wirth holders from CDIweb and for the soldering iron, I have this one-
http://www.frys.com/product/7550776?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG. I only payed $70 though. If you take the tip off, you can use the ceramic tip for dabs.

Airwalker16 · Aug 19, 2016

coreywebster said:
Hey folks.

I have some clu046-1212s to build a Veg light or two and by Monday will have some new 058-1825s, heat sinks and drivers are on the way.
Over the weekend I plan on ordering some sheet aluminium for the veg light and some angle for the 058s which are for flower tent.
There are lots of little things I have not yet bought. Main one being a good soldering iron.

Can anyone suggest a good wattage for a soldering iron? I hear the Citizens are a bit tricky and delicate.

I also want to check a few things

16gauge wire is good for the clu058-1825s ran @ 1400ma?
Thermal paste or epoxy I have not yet thought about. I believe the 058s come with holder but have yet to see how that works. But for the veg light I plan on sticking them on with thermal epoxy. Does anyone have any good links for Europe or UK or a particular brand which is best?

Appreciate any advice especially from @nevergoodenuf and @loftygoals

Cheers Folks
C.W

Any soldering iron will work fine just keep the tip clean

coreywebster · Aug 19, 2016

Airwalker16 said:
Any soldering iron will work fine just keep the tip clean

Thanks Airwalker, I see a lot of options for 30w irons. The last time I soldered it was radio controlled cars well over 20years ago, the circuits were pretty large and thick. I don't want to fuck up on my CLU058s but will practice with the cheap 046s. Actually I have a whole box of singe shitty diodes I can practice on too. :oops:

coreywebster · Aug 19, 2016

nevergoodenuf said:
I would get some Binder and Wirth holders from CDIweb and for the soldering iron, I have this one-
http://www.frys.com/product/7550776?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG. I only payed $70 though. If you take the tip off, you can use the ceramic tip for dabs.

Thanks nevergoodenuf, that looks a nice iron. Will look into those holders now.

In Shape Vet · Aug 19, 2016

how often are you planning on using the iron? if its just for a job and rare tasks, you can get a cheap 3m one for around 5 bucks. no variable temp but gets hot enough for solder. the rest is skill level. iv used irons for circuit boards to making various things with brass parts. For simple wires, a cheap iron is fine, just use flux and dont rely on acid core alone without flux. For a cheap one, play around with a few scrap wire ends and such to get a feel for it. once you get a feel for it, youll be golden, no soldering iron can replace experience. Also be patient when letting it heat up and maybe look up some videos online on how to solder and how to properly tip your iron with solder.

Abiqua · Aug 19, 2016

Look thru the EEV blog, if he doesn't have a soldering recomend video, I would surprised. One of the best.
https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog

He's an aussie and pretty well rounded on global chit.

Hakko

pencil tip 10w will work just fine...steel wool sponge...learn to tin, those steps are more important than the iron imho....
:peace:

In Shape Vet · Aug 19, 2016

learning to tin, thats what i mean by tipping the iron... Once you get the hang of it youll see what we mean that the iron really isnt that important for general work.

coreywebster · Aug 19, 2016

Thanks @In Shape Vet and @Abiqua

In truth I will not use the iron for a massive amount of time. I will build a couple of veg lights only and 2-3 flower fixtures over a period of time, after that it will likely go into retirement.
I will check out that blog and spend some time doing some research on youtube.

Cheers

Airwalker16 · Aug 19, 2016

Do all your soldering OFF of the heatsink.

coreywebster · Aug 19, 2016

Airwalker16 said:
Do all your soldering OFF of the heatsink.

That makes sense dude but is something I had not thought about. Cheers

Airwalker16 · Aug 19, 2016

coreywebster said:
That makes sense dude but is something I had not thought about. Cheers

Just makes it impossible to get it done. All the heat goes Into the sink and the cob thermal pads dont get hot enough.

JorgeGonzales · Aug 19, 2016

HAKKO.

churchhaze · Aug 19, 2016

aoyue. If you want something good, get something that's temperature controlled.

JorgeGonzales · Aug 19, 2016

churchhaze said:
aoyue. If you want something good, get something that's temperature controlled.

Those are Chinese Hakko clones, at least the models I've seen. Are they good? Might be a better suggestion, honestly, since he said it was going to be a one time use. Their "936" is only $45.

churchhaze · Aug 19, 2016

JorgeGonzales said:
Those are Chinese Hakko clones, at least the models I've seen. Are they good? Might be a better suggestion, honestly, since he said it was going to be a one time use. Their "936" is only $45.

I'd rather have a hakko clone with temperature control than a genuine hakko without temperature control in the same price range.

I have this one, and it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSW69LI

tstick · Aug 19, 2016

I have a Hakko and I take the metal tip/housing off (it unscrews) and use it to light my bowls! Oh yeah...probably makes a decent soldering iron for soldering, too!

iHearAll · Aug 20, 2016

just tin your soldering iron. i use a 2$ soldering iron from china, its 60w 400° max. lead free solder sucks and doesnt bond well.

JorgeGonzales · Aug 20, 2016

Hopefully everybody is tinning and wiping their tip after every couple joints. Also coat your tip in solder before shutting down for the session. Tips will die very quickly without doing these things, in addition to being a nightmare to solder with.

Good basic introduction.

iHearAll · Aug 20, 2016

JorgeGonzales said:
Hopefully everybody is tinning and wiping their tip after every couple joints. Also coat your tip in solder before shutting down for the session. Tips will die very quickly without doing these things, in addition to being a nightmare to solder with.

Good basic introduction.

hmm i was never taught to add solder before turning it off. good pointer

Soldering Iron recomendations.

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