RE: Soldering irony

["Keith Doxey" <ukha@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just to add my little bit....

> This doesn't seem to be variable temperature, and 400 is a bit hot -
most
> electronics soldering is down much cooler than that, down at the
230-250
> level.
>

I used to have a gas soldering iron and for fitting connectors like XLR's
where you need a lot of heat it was unbeatable and if it runs out a
recharge
only takes seconds but for PCB work it was far too powerful.

I also used to have a small rechargeable iron which was great for PCB work
if you just needed to resolder a couple of dry joints. It also had a little
spotlight that illuminated the board as well. The downside of the
rechargeable one was that it would go flat just when you didnt want it too
and as with all Nicad powered tools the batteries evenutally died :-(

> Personally, I use one of these guys - http://tinyurl.com/5ymo3 The only
> downside is the lack of different bits for it - but a pack of
> standard bits
> is a tenner, and you can get the shape/size you want easily with
> a handfile
> :)

I use one of those as well. Good news Ian.... CPC sell an identical iron
and
do a wide range of bits. I have just fitted a 0.4mm bit to mine :-)

0.8mm Round  		SD00384
0.8mm Flat  		SD00385
0.4mm Fine  		SD00386
0.8mm Screwdiver  	SD00387
3mm Screwdriver  		SD00388
1.2mm Fine Screwdriver  SD00389
0.8mm Bevel  		SD00390

.... and only ?1.35 each :-)

Keith