Dremel + Soldering iron - info if you don't mind!

Dark_Angel

Dark_Angel

Dark_Angel

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Joined
12 May 2005
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Hey,

A few quick questions if you could help. :p

I'm completely new to using a dremel (I don't own one) and want to purchase one and a soldering iron. The iron will be used for basic electrical wiring, nothing major / intricate. Basically I want something to replace the "wrap the wires around the thing with tape and hope for the best" approach. :D

As for the dremel, I want it to start doing some case mods so I guess it needs to cut thin metal / plastics? Can they do that okay, if so is there any particular model to look out for?

Not really looking to spend a lot if I'm honest as they won't be used a lot, more for the odd job here and there. Any suggestions / models / things to look out for?

Obviously don't link to the OCUK competitors, so would be easier to just mention brands / models. :)
 
Get a dremel or more importantly dremel cutting parts. the cheap knock offs are worse than useless.

As for soldering iron. Any will do.
 
I like the yellow Antex soldering irons and they come with handy stands with a sponge swap in the bottom. I prefer 25W power over the smaller ones. They heat up quicker, hold their heat better and you can solder bigger wires. I haven't had any problems with overheating ICs, as long as you don't leave it on for too long.
 
Jonny69 said:
I like the yellow Antex soldering irons and they come with handy stands with a sponge swap in the bottom. I prefer 25W power over the smaller ones. They heat up quicker, hold their heat better and you can solder bigger wires. I haven't had any problems with overheating ICs, as long as you don't leave it on for too long.
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Good suggestion for all-round iron :)

I have the 18W I use for stripboard/PCB level stuff, and a big clumsy 30W for other things! The 25W with a medium flat edge bit will be nice for general purpose.
 
I use a gas powered soldering iron - I find that the high power allows for the briefest of contact todo the job. However that depends on your experience.
 
NickK said:
I use a gas powered soldering iron - I find that the high power allows for the briefest of contact todo the job. However that depends on your experience.
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me too - the variable heat allows you to use the same iron for both fine soldering and really big things - also, the freedom of soldering without a cable is hard to beat.

the gas is pretty cheap (between £2 and £4 a can) and a can has about... 10 or 15 fills of the iron, each fill lasts for between 90 minutes on low heat to about 40 on max heat.

highly reccomended.
 
LordSplodge said:
This ^ (apart from the soldering iron bit! Get a decent one!) as the cheap discs are crap. In fact they are worse than crap...
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yeah, the cheap discs shatter and then embed themselves in your hand/face/nose/eye :p

yep, thats advice right there - wear eye protection when using high-speed-rotary-tools!
 
I'd also recommend Antex or Weller for a soldering iron

25W is quite a lot personally but if you're soldering wires (and not doing small surface mount work) then it will be fine. Nowdays, unfortunately, we have to use lead free solder too which requires a higher heat to melt (and my little 11W iron isn't quite enough - thankfully I can still get leaded solder from work!)
 
Leaded solder isn't hard to obtain:

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fa...oldering-Equipment/Solder-Fluxes/Solder/30236

You just can't use it in commercial products anymore. Obviously, be careful and don't do anything stupid like eat with the hand you held it in without washing it thoroughly.

OT, but does anyone know if lead permeates the skin at all? I'm guessing not, but I felt dizzy after using it once and as certain as I am it's unrelated (used it many times without problems) I'm wondering whether wearing a latex glove on the feed hand is wise?

Much nicer to work with otherwise, shiny :D
 
If you get an Antex Iron (I would recommend them too), make sure you get one with a silicone lead, much more robust.

I have the CS18 (Silicone), which I use for motherboard work on consoles and other odds and sods.
 
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I think its the fumes in addition to licking of fingers after using leaded solder that is the major concern. Always use a well ventilated area if soldering.
 
Good advice - most solder has flux in it too and that won't do you much good either!

The other concern with leaded solder is disposal at the other end - if it's just dumped in the ground it can poison the land
 
Dark_Angel said:
Okay :)

SO the Dremel 300 will be fine, I just need to make sure I buy the offical dremel cutting wheels and so on right?
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No actually, I refuse to buy the Dremel brand discs. I have a proper Dremel, but I've always bought cheap disks for it and they've performed exactly the same as Dremel's own brand ones.
 
Dr.EM said:
Obviously, be careful and don't do anything stupid like eat with the hand you held it in without washing it thoroughly.

OT, but does anyone know if lead permeates the skin at all? I'm guessing not, but I felt dizzy after using it once and as certain as I am it's unrelated (used it many times without problems) I'm wondering whether wearing a latex glove on the feed hand is wise?

Much nicer to work with otherwise, shiny :D
Click to expand...

I've got a habit of chewing solder, and years of working with leaded hasn't done me or my second head any harm.
 
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