Mr. LION:
That photo reminds me of my bench. If I set something down there's a 50-50 chance whether I will find it again before giving up and buying a replacement.
Visit look4trains.com
I Googled "SOLDERING ELECTRONICS" and got pages of interesting stuff.
Lee
Using that iron to solder an LED is like using a flame thrower to light a birthday candle.
It can be used but there is a bigger chance of damaging the LED.
As noted earlier the lower wattage iron will do a better job
They are also only about 20 bucks at radio shack. Here's the one I have.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4314833
Springfield PA
richhotrain BroadwayLion: richhotrain: I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728 Rich LION does not like the Radio Shack irons. They have a screw on the barrel to hold the element in place, but that screw hangs up on the iron holder every time. Walmart has a decent enough iron for about the same price as does Runnings (assuming that there is a Runnings near you. ☺) ROIAR That's the problem with LIONS. Their paws are too big, so they need to use the iron holder. Us humans just set the soldering iron on the work bench. Rich Un-ROIAR
BroadwayLion: richhotrain: I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728 Rich LION does not like the Radio Shack irons. They have a screw on the barrel to hold the element in place, but that screw hangs up on the iron holder every time. Walmart has a decent enough iron for about the same price as does Runnings (assuming that there is a Runnings near you. ☺) ROIAR
richhotrain: I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728 Rich
I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728
Rich
LION does not like the Radio Shack irons. They have a screw on the barrel to hold the element in place, but that screw hangs up on the iron holder every time. Walmart has a decent enough iron for about the same price as does Runnings (assuming that there is a Runnings near you. ☺)
ROIAR
That's the problem with LIONS. Their paws are too big, so they need to use the iron holder.
Us humans just set the soldering iron on the work bench.
Un-ROIAR
YOU CLEAN YOUR WORK BENCH ?????????????
I'm Lucky to keep the main line clear!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I have been using this station for over 4 years. Can't beat the price. and there are replacement tips too.
http://www.mpja.com/Mini-Solder-Station-ZD-99/productinfo/15860+TL/
Looks like they are out of stock but i bet they will have them soon.
BroadwayLion richhotrain: I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728 Rich LION does not like the Radio Shack irons. They have a screw on the barrel to hold the element in place, but that screw hangs up on the iron holder every time. Walmart has a decent enough iron for about the same price as does Runnings (assuming that there is a Runnings near you. ☺) ROIAR
Alton Junction
richhotrain I use the Radio Shack 15-watt soldering iron for working on decoders. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062728 Rich
That is WAY too much for soldering decoders. Maybe good for soldering feeders to the bus wire. Radio Shack has a small 15 watt iron that would work but even better is to pick up a low cost soldering station. Mine is a Xytronix brand and coast unser $50. The huge advantage of a temeprature controlled soldering station is that the tip stays cleaner because it's not constantly heating up the whole time it is plugged in. Keeping the tip clean is the #1 most important thing when it comes to being able to make quick clean solder joints.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A 15 watt electric soldering iron would be best. I have several irons that have higher wattages, up to 150 watts and the small 15 watt iron would be best for that purpose. Leds and 1/8-1/4 watt resistors are too heat sensitivel for a hotter iron
Does anyone have a good link to an illustrative guide on how to solder headlight LEDs to a resistor and connecting a wire to the connector. I have a RadioShack Technology Plus butane powered soldering iron. It has a temperature range of 572-1022 degrees F equivalent to a 30-70W electric iron.