Which soldering iron to buy?

[Yoshi]

I want to solder connections on my bikes, especially on the TS250 I'm currently stripping (the wiring is a total mess on it, I couldn't believe my eyes when I took all the tape covering the coil off, some muppet had screwed a big ole screw in there to replace the original connector )

I have no experience with soldering at all so not sure what to look for in the equipment. I don't want to spend alot, hopefully one of the cheap ones on ebay will do?

I'll be using it to solder wires onto components, connecting wires and maybe to have a go at plastic welding at some point. Not going to be heavily used.

I've seen these on ebay:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Soldering-iron-20W-130W-boost-Ceramic-element-Solder_W0QQitemZ180111370510QQihZ008QQcategoryZ106001QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40w-Soldering-Iron-Tip-Set-20-gram-Solder-Combi-Kit_W0QQitemZ290109228550QQihZ019QQcategoryZ106001QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-SOLDERING-KIT-iron-gun-solder-INCL-VAT_W0QQitemZ160109476964QQihZ006QQcategoryZ106001QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I like the look of the middle one, seems to be what I need? Silverline so lifetime warranty too. Don't think I need all the stuff in the big set?

Thanks,
Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[evilknievel]

i think you well find the middle one could be too hot fot what you want it for! but if you do get it dont take too long soldering as you can over heat the electrical stuff you trying to fix. and soldering is not as easy as it looks best thing to do is find a old radio you dont want and practice soldering on that first till you got the hang of it

[T1z3R]

get a £15 one from maplin. itll do what you need.
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duck my sick!

[Yoshi]

[Yoshi]

Oh and also what kind of solder do I need for electrical work. Some state they come with solder for electrical work, but the top one doesnt, so what kind does it need to be? Or does it not matter?

Thanks,
Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[truslack]

it depends on the grade of the wire, but look out for solder with a flux core.

The 40w will heat up faster than the 20w, not sure if it will get much hotter though.

Soldering guns are less precice for soldering wire, theyre mainly used for plubming solder (i think), but they heat up instantly.
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[T1z3R]

try sending it back to a guy on ebay when it breaks.

i use 60/40 multicore for just about every job i do.
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duck my sick!

[cestrian]

I do alot of soldeing. I bought an Iroda gas soldering iron from Maplin. On its lowest setting it is just perfect for thin wiring, it is also capable of heating up starter motor cables too. No wires either (obviously).

[Yoshi]

How much did that cost cestrian?

I can see soldering as something I might get into and do quite a bit of so maybe a good idea to buy a decent one now.
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[stinkwheel]

I'd personally go for the higher wattage. I tend to find that with a cooler iron, you have to hold it against the contact for longer to get it hot enough to take the solder. The longer it's on, the more chance you have of melting the insulation on the wire.

A good hot one will heat it up quicker and tends to just heat the bit you want, you can also use it to put nipples onto control cables if you feel inclined.

I prefer using one with a flat bit on it (a little like a screwdriver blade) rather than a pointed bit for vehicle wiring. You can get more surface area of the bit in contact with the metal you're soldering which again makes things quicker.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[vfr800]

I bought a gas powered iron from B&Q last week, It's fook'n great.
Bernzomatic is the make, came with three different tips and is heat adjustable, it also included solder.

The heat ranges from 400 to 3000 degrees, you can use it as a small blowtorch which is great for heat shrink tube.

It cost 15 sob's, in my book that's great value for something thats so versatile.

No need to get the extension lead out either!
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'