soldering iron problem

parricide · May 23, 2011, 09:47:29 PM

i have got a pretty new 30w soldering iron and it doesnt seem to work properly.

i read in many places that 30w was the most you should use on circuit boards (some say even less than that) but my iron doesnt seem hot enough.

it barely heats at the tip and i tend to use the shaft to heat the parts up. i have often even used the fastening screw instead of the tip to get smaller areas

as you can imagine this is awkward.

the iron is not old and has been like this since day 1. the tip is securely in place with the screw tightened properly.

i was thinking about getting a more powerful iron but i dont want to damage components with an iron thats too hot.

is this a problem with my iron?
is it safe to use higher wattage?

help please!

thanks

Dylan · May 24, 2011, 12:05:21 AM

What kind of iron is it? If it's old, maybe it's time is just up.

parricide · May 24, 2011, 11:00:19 AM

its quite new, like maybe a couple of months old.
it has been like it since it was new.

this is the iron

http://www.maplin.co.uk/30w-soldering-iron-32909

maybe its because its a cheap one? or faulty?

Circuitbenders · May 24, 2011, 11:57:12 AM

it might just be because its crap. I found a brand new one of those in a box of electronics junk recently. There doesn't appear to be any kind of temperature regulation so it just kept getting hotter until it appeared to burn out the heating element. I'd suggest taking the tip off and checking everything is seated right but i doubt you'll be able too as the screw will shred its thread the second you touch it. Crappy cheap soldering irons are a major false economy.

I think i have something like this and its worked fine for years:
http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasteners-Production-Equipment/Soldering-Equipment/Soldering-Irons/Thermally-balanced-25W-soldering-iron/178125/kw/

Dylan · May 24, 2011, 06:21:37 PM

Sorry, I read that as "It is old." I agree with what CB says. It may just be a crap one.

parricide · May 25, 2011, 02:47:20 AM

thanks guys. i appreciate the help.

i will buy that one you mentioned CB. its only a couple of quid more than the one ive got!

i have got a shopping list on rapid which i didnt buy yet because i was waiting for some feedback on this and i was looking at an iron on there. glad i didnt jump in impatiently

thanks guys

Dylan · May 25, 2011, 04:00:02 AM

You can get Weller's for cheap as well. I got a SP23L (or whatever that model # is), it's about $18 (Americano), I've had it for about 3 years and no problems. The only bad thing is I've had a kind of hard time finding replacement tips. Good luck in your search!

Bogus Noise · May 25, 2011, 07:32:27 AM

I can pretty much echo Circuitbenders' post there, those Maplin ones are crap!

A good rule of the thumb with tools is to take the Maplins price, and divide by two. If it's components, divide by ten. Then that's how much you should pay for the same item anywhere else.

I've got an Antex XS25 instead now which does me loads better, but those Xytronic ones look decent and a few quid cheaper. Plus have the CB seal of approval

parricide · May 25, 2011, 02:27:22 PM

thanks

i will get the one CB suggested because its on rapid and i have got some shopping to do there anyway.

@ bogus noise
i know the maplin price problem. its crazy how much they charge!!!
wire strippers in maplin at £11 - £12 are £3something on rapid!!!
the only reason i got my iron from there is i was in their shop with my dad and he offered to buy me one. it was pretty cheap and i didnt expect it to be that bad.
lesson learnt.
i also got a multi meter from them once which one of the lcd parts of the display didnt work.

i think theres a moral to this story

thanks everyone, i appreciate the help. shouldnt be too long before i can start putting something back into this forum after all you lot have helped me

Circuitbenders · May 25, 2011, 03:32:44 PM

I think i got one similar, if not the same as that xytronic one as a fill in soldering iron, in between my old Antex one dying and buying the Weller i was planning on getting.
As it turned out, it was good enough for everything i've ever needed it for and i never got around to getting the Weller

Glitch Militia · June 09, 2011, 06:04:16 PM

Keep in mind if you use silver solder or not.. Silver solder ( sold as lead free) requires a much higher temperature.
Also if you use crappy solder with little flux or no flux core at all it will also fu*k up.

parricide · June 09, 2011, 08:07:17 PM

i received my new iron the other day (the one CB suggested. thanks CB)
i also bought some 60/40 solder and soldering is a million times easier now! i think the problem was a mixed iron and solder issue. but its all sorted now.
thanks everyone who posted in this thread for the help.

the new iron also allowed me to finish my first stomp box. i will try to post up some pics and sound clips soon.