Solder gun

[Kaleb]

I have a monster of a solder pen or gun whichever your prefer. I am looking for a smaller one. Not sure what to look for because every time

I search I come up with the same results. I have some LEDs I want to solder along with switches.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's a bunch of small ones. https://www.google.com/search?q=pencil+tip+soldering+iron&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=pencil+tip+soldering+iron&client=firefox-a&hs=Qyd&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=LlOMUeO6IoK49QSaz4CgDQ&ved=0CEIQsxg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46340616,d.eWU&fp=22cc289d1aeb76b8&biw=1590&bih=733

[Kaleb]

Jeez, we'll that's what I have, I guess I need to get a smaller tip. Thank you

[Ace-Garageguy]

The third one down is only 12 watts...very small, much smaller than the typical 30watt and larger ones.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/7158822246577557398?q=pencil%20tip%20soldering%20iron&client=firefox-a&hs=Qyd&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1590&bih=733&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&sa=X&ei=OVWMUd_tDIqm9gTKq4DwCA&ved=0CLQBEPMCMAI

[Guest G Holding]

I will recommend a station.

You can dial the temp you need, you can get micro tips for most...mine was 130.00 BUT I use it for the repair bench daily. This is what to look for

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldering-Station-Variable-Temperature-50-Watt-Solder-Iron-with-Pencil-Tip-120V/221146900579?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D15639%26meid%3D7567809158670314996%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D7492%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D121098739994%26

[Guest G Holding]

For small jobs, a cordless is very easy to use, also has micro tips. I have had a couple of these for 20 plus years, they work well!

http://www.iso-tip.com/products-page/

[Kaleb]

Ouch, I'm not that big into yet. I will though keep those in mind I like the size and definitely like the station. I might check out some micro tips for the current one. Until my business is running full steam I can't swing high prices right this moment.

[vypurr59]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/391342/Low-Cost_Soldering_Station

They sell a Velleman low-cost 50 watt station here. The link takes you directly to the exact tool I purchased.

[Blown03SVT]

50 watt would be over kill for what you are looking to solder. I am thinking legs of LED's and small gauge wire. A basic iron should be able to do what you need it to do. You not doing micro/ miniature repair. I have an old Weller, I think it's a 12 watt model and you can replace the tips with pencil tips if need be. Seriously, go look at Radio Shack for one that can use different tips. It's for a some times use, not how you make your bread and butter ($) so it should work out fine for you if you can solder well enough.

[vypurr59]

50 watt would be over kill for what you are looking to solder. I am thinking legs of LED's and small gauge wire. A basic iron should be able to do what you need it to do. You not doing micro/ miniature repair. I have an old Weller, I think it's a 12 watt model and you can replace the tips with pencil tips if need be. Seriously, go look at Radio Shack for one that can use different tips. It's for a some times use, not how you make your bread and butter ($) so it should work out fine for you if you can solder well enough.

This is a station, 50 watts is the upper limit. It has a temp control, and goes down to 1 watt. 16 different size tips are available, as well as a tip, that can load a xacto blade into to use as a heat cutter. Also has a heat sink coil to hold the iron, not just a flimsy wire stand, and a sponge to clean tip.

I have used this iron to solder FET's into RC Car speed controllers and surface-mount capacitors.

Edited May 11, 2013 by vypurr59

[Blown03SVT]

Still overkill. I do Navy 2M repair. And you reinforced what I was saying. You use yours for detail oriented work as well as melting solder to motor cans. If this is a purchase he plans to use more than for soldering every now and then, then I would agree it would be a worth while purchase. An inexpensive iron with proper technique and thin low melting point solder will do what he needs. Wasn't trying to be offensive, just not trying to "up sell" him into something he might not have a need for.

[Kaleb]

The amount of work I do is small for now, but I have a hundred or so LEDs that I will be using, and more to come. Along with switches and whatever else. Ill get down to 1mm LEDs eventually so micro is what I need. I do have a radio shack special, and I am going tommorow to check on tips. If not i might grind this one down. I'm starting another thread about this switch, just using as an example here.

[vypurr59]

Still overkill. I do Navy 2M repair. And you reinforced what I was saying. You use yours for detail oriented work as well as melting solder to motor cans. If this is a purchase he plans to use more than for soldering every now and then, then I would agree it would be a worth while purchase. An inexpensive iron with proper technique and thin low melting point solder will do what he needs. Wasn't trying to be offensive, just not trying to "up sell" him into something he might not have a need for.

Really would not be a up-sale, compare features and cost, radio shack 12 watt iron 1 tip, 1 temp $12. suggested station, variable temp, 2 tips, pencil and chisel, $19.95

[Kaleb]

Jeff you put 130. I was like o my cow that's high. So $25 is plausible. Unless yours was $130

Edited May 11, 2013 by Kaleb

[vypurr59]

Jeff you put 130. I was like o my cow that's high. So $25 is plausible. Unless yours was $130

That was actually G. Holding in post #5 I replied with post #8, link to the $19.95 priced station. I wasn't trying to make you spend more than needed, just looking out for ya. The stuff I got from radio shack, would never hold up, like mine has for over 20 years, and only had to replace the tips.

[Guest G Holding]

That was actually G. Holding in post #5 I replied with post #8, link to the $19.95 priced station. I wasn't trying to make you spend more than needed, just looking out for ya. The stuff I got from radio shack, would never hold up, like mine has for over 20 years, and only had to replace the tips.

The post I did showed a station for 23.95...NOT 130.00

and the Iron vypurr59 posted should work quite well.

I use a bench quality unit...NOT the 23.95 unit listed. I cannot see spending 15.00 on a fixed wattage unit, give me the heat adjustability and interchangeable tips I can use all solders, tix, silver. and resin core ( i prefer multicore) and get the most out of my money

The most important soldering tip I will share is to keep uour tip clean and well tinned. If you turn it off or down between uses, the tips will last longer.

DON'T BE CHEAP >>>BUY QUALITY TOOLS ONCE >>> QUALITY LASTS LONGER

Edited May 11, 2013 by G Holding

[Kaleb]

Ah, I think I posted from my phone when I done that.

I completely understand the quality tools, but have to understand my current budget and need for this solder gun right now. I probably will end up just buying extra tips for mine.

[vypurr59]

The post I did showed a station for 23.95...NOT 130.00

and the Iron vypurr59 posted should work quite well.

I use a bench quality unit...NOT the 23.95 unit listed. I cannot see spending 15.00 on a fixed wattage unit, give me the heat adjustability and interchangeable tips I can use all solders, tix, silver. and resin core ( i prefer multicore) and get the most out of my money

The most important soldering tip I will share is to keep uour tip clean and well tinned. If you turn it off or down between uses, the tips will last longer.

DON'T BE CHEAP >>>BUY QUALITY TOOLS ONCE >>> QUALITY LASTS LONGER

That is also the best advice, cleaning tip, tinning tip, and turning down the power in inactive periods. With a set watt iron, the cord is your on/off switch.

Also I read your post wrong, and saw that you spent $130. on yours, and pictured a similar one to the one I mentioned. I do also have a Weller station that ran about $250.00, but has 2 irons and a solder removing station. Used this for benchwork at Fluke, when working there through college. Would have never recommended this for what little need you may have for an iron.

[Mike_G]

I've been using an old 50W Radio Shack pencil with a fine tip to repair all kinds of electronic devices (primarily microcassette recorders) for ~15 years. The higher wattage makes it heat up faster and hold the heat better, and you want a nice hot iron so you don't have to hold the iron on the part so long that you end up burning the tin out of the solder, resulting in a "cold" joint, or lifting a pad off the PC board.

[Kaleb]

I also realize what works well for one, does not necessarily work for another. I'm going to RS today, ill post updates on if I find anything. I believe I have the 30 watt.

[Guest G Holding]

I also realize what works well for one, does not necessarily work for another. I'm going to RS today, ill post updates on if I find anything. I believe I have the 30 watt.

The only differences are size (tip, wattage, handle diameter) buy what feels good in your grip, they all work the same if clean!