Soldering equipment....one better than another?

[Old77]

Looking to start teaching myself how to solder. With that I need to buy some stuff. Is one brand better than the others when it comes to soldering devices?

 

[Georgeb]

what do you plan to solder? small components onto boards or wires to wires and the such?

 

[74 Shortbed]

I use this for wire to wire big stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/soldering/guns/weller-d550-gun-soldering-professional-d550.html

And this for small stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/weller-wes51-station-50-60w-120v-wes51.html

 

[jetman]

If your soldering on a commercial volume basis, the high dollar equipment makes things much easier and is worth the money. For learning or doing periodic repairs simple HF equipment will fill the bill.

 

[Georgeb]

I use this for wire to wire big stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/soldering/guns/weller-d550-gun-soldering-professional-d550.html

And this for small stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/weller-wes51-station-50-60w-120v-wes51.html

I use similar equipment for the same purposes with flux core solder.

 

[Old77]

what do you plan to solder? small components onto boards or wires to wires and the such?

Mostly just wires to wires. Nothing too major.

 

[Old77]

If your soldering on a commercial volume basis, the high dollar equipment makes things much easier and is worth the money. For learning or doing periodic repairs simple HF equipment will fill the bill.

Thanks for the insight. Mine would definitely be periodic to go along with this weekend car hobby So HF is decent for the hobbyist and won't break after 3 uses?

 

[Old77]

I use this for wire to wire big stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/soldering/guns/weller-d550-gun-soldering-professional-d550.html

And this for small stuff.

http://www.weller-toolsus.com/weller-wes51-station-50-60w-120v-wes51.html

Thank you

 

[74 Shortbed]

Thank you

You're welcome, buy em once and that's it mine are over 25yrs old and still like new and I use the **** out of them.

 

[Old77]

You're welcome, buy em once and that's it mine are over 25yrs old and still like new and I use the **** out of them.

After looking at those pics my dad has one like that black gun style.

Any preference on what type of solder to use?

 

[Georgeb]

Most of what you find in a store will be lead free but if you can find some with lead it will work better. In most cases rosin core will be the most convenient to use.

 

[Old77]

Most of what you find in a store will be lead free but if you can find some with lead it will work better. In most cases rosin core will be the most convenient to use.

What about the rosin core makes it better? Create a better connection between the wires?

 

[Georgeb]

you will need rosen either way to get it to stick. rosin is another name for flux. it acts like a cleaner. I don't like having to flux and then solder unless it is on really small stuff that requires very little solder.

 

[Old77]

you will need rosen either way to get it to stick. rosin is another name for flux. it acts like a cleaner. I don't like having to flux and then solder unless it is on really small stuff that requires very little solder.

Makes sense! Thank you I'm searching the interwebs now

 

[74 Shortbed]

I use rosin core, clean and quick no need for separate flux.