Poll: Poll: Do you have a soldering iron?

Do you own, or have access to a soldering iron at home?

  • Yes

    Votes: 382 78.3%

  • No

    Votes: 106 21.7%
  • Total voters
    488
Yes but it's stuck on whatever temperature it's set to. It probably came from maplin. It seems to melt solder ok, and I could solder to a semi decent standard. Not amazing, however. And well out of practice.
 
I use one daily for work, but i would have to vote no as i don't own one. I just borrow my one from work when needed at home, or even borrow my dads gas one when needed for working on cars.
 
Yip I've got an old RS Components mains powered and gas powered ones. Use them occasionally for making cables and connections.
Also use one at work from time to time.
I'm not too bad but could probably do with a better iron and some more practice.
 
Evangelion said:
I really need to get one, thanks for reminding me.
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I think iIve recommended this before and I do so again. Decent iron, will suffice for what most people need.

I see a lot of talk about temperature controlled stations but I've never had the option to adjust the temperature of my iron and so I think it's a case of 'never had it, never missed it'.
 
Feek said:
Interesting, Chris. Do you have a link please?


Yes, we've talked about radio before :)
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Ahh, sorry, I am remembering now Feek! Here's one link, there must be others, can't tell you how good they are. Just soldered some big solder tags on heavy cable, no problem, then the next minute put a *TINY* surface mount fuse on a PCB, there are no settings, it just creates the right heat automagically. If you get the chance to try one, do so.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4878
 
I have about five. I should really consolidate them into one decent solder station though :p

Very tempted by one of those Hakko clones (e.g., Yihua 937d). I watched a review video where they were apparently very good quality.
 
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neodude said:
I can do them, but not with the Metcal I have at home. Should've nicked a Danotherm when I left too ;)
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I hate formats you can't easily do DIY - there are a few chips I want to use but are VSON with a heat spreader on the bottom that is supposed to be soldered also making it quite a challenge.
 
I have one, its only a cheapo thing and it is only rarely used.

I got mine as I used to be into RC cars and needed to solder certain connectors onto battery leads.

Can't say I am good but I am also not terrible. My Soldering works but it isnt exactly the neatest :p
 
Is learning to solder something you can do via the medium of youtube? Am curious as have always wondered what the best way to start is for someone who's never even touched a soldering iron (and would probably very seldom be called to!)
 
Feek said:
I think iIve recommended this before and I do so again. Decent iron, will suffice for what most people need.

I see a lot of talk about temperature controlled stations but I've never had the option to adjust the temperature of my iron and so I think it's a case of 'never had it, never missed it'.
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Agreed. I had a temperature controlled station many years ago, and honestly couldn't see much benefit over a fixed temp unit.
 
Own more than one and I'm very confident in their use. They're mainly used to assemble etched metal model railway kits, quite fiddly and cab get very hot very quickly as you're trying to hold two bits together :D.
 
x-st said:
Is learning to solder something you can do via the medium of youtube? Am curious as have always wondered what the best way to start is for someone who's never even touched a soldering iron (and would probably very seldom be called to!)
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yeah videos + lots of practice.
 
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