(Not sure if this should really be in the DIY Forum, but it'll get more exposure here! )

Other than portability, are there any advantages or disadvantages to gas irons? Anyone recommend a particular model, or is the 'standard thing' from Maplin OK?

Ta

I've heard good stuff about the Draper gas powered soldering iron. I think its called a GT2.

Squires Models and Crafts used to do them, but I dont know about know as im not on there mailing list anymore.

If Antex do one, I would expect it to be very good as all there other gear is... well apart from those soldering stations we had at 6th form which all died at the same time!!!! nice silicon cables tho!!!! nah really antex gear is great

laurence...

p.s dont get a naked flame one!!! and I hear you can get battery powered ones as well?

--------------------
P.I.G.L.E.T - where is polly?

Most professionals use Weller irons. There are definite advantages to an iron that is properly temperature controlled. You also need an iron that is appropriate for the job. Delicate PCB component soldering requires a different size bit with lower thermal capacity than soldering a quarter-inch thick earth cable to a metal rack terminal!

hugh

--------------------
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Quote Aural Reject:

---

...or is the 'standard thing' from Maplin OK?

---

I'd echo Giant's words and suggest an Antex iron rather than Maplins' cheapest. They're still not at all expensive and Maplins stock them.

Really useful accessories include something to remove solder - one of those little squeeze-ball pump things because try as you might it's almost impossible to de-solder with a soldering iron alone. Also mini clamp/clip thingies to hold things in place while you solder.

Matt

I go with Hugh - Weller is definately the best.

--------------------
John - Sound-Link ProAudio
President - Federation Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

Another vote here for Weller.

They're expensive but they're good and there's a huge range of accessories available for them. With a bit of care they last for ages and they're one of the few irons for which you can get replacements for just about every part.

They also do very nice gas powered irons for those emergency soldering jobs under stages or on rooftops!

That said, whilst I use Weller irons at home, and a Weller gas iron for portable use, when I'm out on location or doing a studio install in a place where lots of people I don't know are working/milling about, I took a tip from a couple of professional wiremen I know and got one of the cheap (<£30) temperature controlled soldering stations from Cricklewood Electronics (Maplin might do them too). I don't use it that much but I'm told by the guys that do, that it'll go for about 9 months-1 year of heavy professional use then it dies. By their reckoning they then get a new one under guarantee or scrap it and buy another one; either way they can buy a lot of them for the cost of the equivalent Weller and if it gets nicked or trashed on site (a fairly frequent occurrence) it's not such a pain in the wallet.

Weller temperature controllable irons are great, in Hunterston power station (my old work place) Weller irons were the standard, nice needle like tips are available aswell for those tricky suface mounted components, but...

If all your doing is soldering connections as in xlr and jacks: RS gas soldering irons are great and cheap, i've had one for years and it lasts gas wise for quite a substantial time period, also you don't have the annoyance of a power lead.

Weller temperature controlled irons are standard in many electronics places but I still like my old Oryx temperature controlled iron better - but I don't think they make them any more. The Antex 25W iron is also fine for general use too.

One point to watch out for with the Weller irons is that the tip automatically determines the temperature so make sure that you are using the right tip for the solder that you use. Modern lead free solder needs a slightly higher temperature than the old, soon to be outlawed, leaded solder.

Cheers.

James.

--------------------
JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net

I dislike Gas irons , except as an emergency back up in the tool kit, for those moments when the generator is the thing in need of fixing

Another Weller user here, although i would add that you should get a range of tips, as each has it's uses.... and those little iron cleaning pots of compound are bloody invaluable.... Also, it's best to dampen the station sponges with distilled water... it avoids lime-scale build up if you live in an area with hard water.


For easy de-soldering, My Favourite tool has to be the combined Iron and Pump that I got From RS, it makes a much neater, faster and more accurate job of stuff, and has a range of tip sizes to suit most applications... basically it's a soldering iron, with a hollow Tip and element, through which it operates a suction pump, like the std metal syringe style de-soldering tools, not those horrid little bulbs.... It's a bit bulkier than your average iron, but damn it's useful....

other useful bits and bobs,

Copper Wire braid, for soaking up excess solder in places where it's difficult to get a pump. (Even the all in one jobby like i described above , can be tricky to get close enough to some components)

Dental scraper , a Hooked scraping tool, available with dental tool sets, is invaluable for holding, manoeuvring and cleaning component legs, and also some small degree of heat sinking when needed.

A full set of small precision pliers, including pin nose, round nose, long bent & long straight nose and ground flat side snips (With rear surface ground flush to the cutting edge)... and ground flat Bull nose cutters.

a goodly number of elastic bands to hold spring loaded pliers in place.

and those "helping hand" croc clip arm stands, are damn useful, as is the magnifying glass on them....

You might also ask your GP about being fitted with asbestos fingers


Max

--------------------
if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

Looks like Weller temperature-controlled irons are wiping the board - I've been an enthusiastic user for about 30 years


Martin

--------------------
YewTreeMagic

I've gone through 2 or 3 gas irons. As far as I'm concerned they're not good at all.
Electrical Weller is the one.

--------------------
Jack of all trades, master of some.

I had a weller and I hated it....
Most people I know (and myself) use Antex.

I've just got a lovely tempurture controlled soldering station. Definatly worth £100. Always found Antex tips lasted years. I really love there silicon cables which have no memory!!!

antex all the way! :P

--------------------
P.I.G.L.E.T - where is polly?

Cheers, Guys.

Looks like it's Weller from sheer weight of numbers

AR

Another vote for Weller here. I'm using a Weller 60W Magnastat with a 3mm. screwblade type tip. Perfectly suitable for both cabling work and non-SMD electronics.

Cheers,
Frank

--------------------
Imagination is more important than knowledge - A. Einstein

Weller

Gas powered i found to be temperamental and would run out of gas in an annoying manner.

Antex irons are any old iron.