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Best Wattage Soldering Iron

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, May 30, 2010 11:38 AM

First, there is no best, only what works best for you. 

In our club, two of use have the Weller WLC100 soldering station that comes wit the ST3 screwdriver tip that is 0.12 inch wide. Some call the tip a chisel tip. Close enough for me.

We use the station at max heat setting for soldering feeders to the code 100 rail, cleaning the spot with a Micro Mark scratch brush first.

I have the ST7 conical tip, 0.03 inch diameter for PC board/DCC work and have the heat at 50 percent for electronic work.

Again, practice on scrap track/wire and develop a technique that suits you.

Soldering is only easy for those who have done it before and developed a technique that suits them.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 1,047 posts
Posted by betamax on Sunday, May 30, 2010 9:48 AM

There is a school of thought that believes anything less than 60W is not a soldering iron

Your best option is a soldering station. They will give you a lot of flexibility in terms of temperature and tips. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to soldering irons.

For soldering track work you want a chisel tip on a hot iron. Lots of heat means the job goes better. If the iron lacks the capacity, you will get cold solder joints. A small tip will not be able to transfer enough heat fast enough.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 1,206 posts
Posted by mfm37 on Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:43 AM

 Depends on what you have to solder. An iron that has multiple settings would be the best investment. For track feeders, I like a 40 - 45 watt iron. For wiring it depends on the wire size. I had a large 120watt iron that makes quick work of large bus lines and a 12 watt iron for decoder wires.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:42 AM

hwolf

What is the best wattage Soldering iron for both Electrical Wiring and Track Feeder?

25 or 40 Watt.  Thanks

 

You only need one thread.

 Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:35 AM

 I see you have 2 of the same thread going Whistling

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Best Wattage Soldering Iron
Posted by hwolf on Saturday, May 29, 2010 7:01 AM

What is the best wattage Soldering iron for both Electrical Wiring and Track Feeder?

25 or 40 Watt.  Thanks

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