soldering guide

[izzyfuld]

anybody know of any soldering guides?
is it an expensive thing to get into?
and what is a good beginner solder?

[buddy7798]

go to radio shack and ask . they will help you get what you need to get started . there is kinda an art to it so dont get mad just take you time and ask ?s as far as cost it depends on what you get . i have a $20 iron weller i think nothing fancy but it works great and is hot enough for rc stuff

[cooleocool]

If you just plan on soldering wires to motors, connectors, etc. you could just buy an inexpensive soldering iron. Hobbico makes a 60 watt iron that is very inexpensive (it can be purchased from Tower Hobbies) that works fairly well.

[JOEX]

Tip: Be very careful if you're wearing shorts:fear: :o

[rabosi]

Here's a guide http://www.solderinguide.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT18mxfGRjo

there are quite a few videos on youtube with various solder techniques.

[izzyfuld]

can i please have a link for the hobbico one?
and yes i will only be doing motors and maybe some batteries
and do i need like a special metal to melt down?

[Neogenesis]

Don't go any less than 60 watt. I've currently got a 40 watt...and while ok for most stuff...it struggles when soldering packs. The new A123 pack I made last night isn't the prettiest thing on the planet...but it works.

Neo

[izzyfuld]

what type of solder do i need? (silver....?)
and is the hobbico one any good its so cheap!

[wade7575]

You want 60/40 solder 60% Tin 40%Lead.Get flux as well but makes sure it's not plumbers Flux that stuff will eat threw wires in a week or 2 make sure the Flux you get is for eletronics.If it were me I'd get a weller 40 or 60 watt with a 1?4 inch Tip,the hobbico irons are known not to work ask Popoxx on this site he got one brand new from towerhobbies would not work,now I'm not saying everyone is a dud but I've heard to many people say there's never worked from day one.

[izzyfuld]

what would be a good iron then i dont want to spend a lot b/c i will probably only use it a few times and do you know a specific brand of solder to suggest me?

[izzyfuld]

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&P=9&I=LXR801
what about this one?

[nitrolijah72]

MAN this is good info...Thanks for the links....

here is a link to the Hobbico iron

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPR36&P=SM

[cooleocool]

The Hobbico iron is an okay soldering iron. It's an inexpensive way to get into soldering. I bought one just to try it out several years ago, and it did a decent job.

Make sure that you read up on tinning the iron's tip.

[izzyfuld]

what about this iron!?!?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&P=9&I=LXR801

[Neogenesis]

what about this iron!?!?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&P=9&I=LXR801


bad link


Neo

[izzyfuld]

sorry
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXR801&P=9

[Wakesurfer]

Radio Shack has a dual watt soldering station that isn't bad. I think it was around $25 for it. 20w/40w option. I've got a Weller 40W and it's hard to keep from burning the tips with it. I would think a 60W would be even worse as far as that goes, but 40W is cool for doing packs. Not quite enough heat there IMO. I'll probably get a Hako next. Nice little variable watt setup would be nice.

[Neogenesis]

I've been trying to solder up my A123 packs lately, and have had a heck of a time getting enough heat with a 40W to get a good bond on the positive side. I don't know if it's possibly the internal chemisty is that much different from say a nicad or nimh......but the cells tend to heat up really fast when I'm putting the iron to them. Anyone else had a problem like this? That's why I thought a 60W would work a bit better.

Thanks,

Scott

[Maxfactor]

I bought this one.http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/IR-230/30-WATT-SOLDERING-IRON/-/1.html

Its takes some Patience(time between joints) to do pack bars but it works. I just need to let it heat up after each soder joint. I probably should have gone with a 60w not a problem tho.

[izzyfuld]

and how do you solder battery packs i dont get it?!?

[Maxfactor]

and how do you solder battery packs i don't get it?!?

The tip that comes with it is too small you need a large chisel tip for that iron.

PL-410 Is the one I believe they recommend. Like I say its probebly not the best for packs but its a well built all around Sodering iron.

[BT_EMT]

and how do you solder battery packs i dont get it?!?

Read the bottom of the SPC page :

http://www.spcracing.com/index.php?show_aux_page=2

Trinity How To :

http://www.teamtrinity.com/how2/build_batts.asp

[izzyfuld]

thanks a lot guys

[alangsam]

personally i like the 100watt soldering guns. they are dual heat and make things go fast. you can change the behavior by changing tips.
things are tooooo sloooww with the 40/60 watt setups.