What Soldering Iron do I need?

Gabriel

Gabriel

Well-Known Member
Hello. I am in the process of assembling my first build. I have a flamewheel f450 frame from DJI, and I'm trying to solder the escs to the frame. The wire that I'm using is 13 gauge. I tried using my 30watt hobbico electronics soldering iron, but it just doesn't have enough heat to heat up the wire enough to melt the solder.

I'm using this technique to attach the wires to the contacts:
(see 1 minute mark).

I've realized that I need a new iron, but I don't know what to buy. I want one that is good quality and will last a while, but my budget is relatively small ($50 is about my max).

Any suggestions are much appreciated ;)
 
Gabriel said:
Hello. I am in the process of assembling my first build. I have a flamewheel f450 frame from DJI, and I'm trying to solder the escs to the frame. The wire that I'm using is 13 gauge. I tried using my 30watt hobbico electronics soldering iron, but it just doesn't have enough heat to heat up the wire enough to melt the solder.

I'm using this technique to attach the wires to the contacts:
(see 1 minute mark).

I've realized that I need a new iron, but I don't know what to buy. I want one that is good quality and will last a while, but my budget is relatively small ($50 is about my max).

Any suggestions are much appreciated ;)
Click to expand...


Well if you are short on money a different tip can do wonders, also technique can come into play, for example a tin the tip of your iron with as much solder as you can without letting it drip, touch it to the area you are soldering and maybe add a little flux if it is not shiny. This will give you a better thermal connection with the joint. For this instance your iron is a bit small for what you are doing, I usually like to work with a 50 watt soldering station so I have a little extra power if I need it. Here is a cheap station that will work, unless you have a bit bigger budget.

here is a cheap station that I've used for many things, not as good of quality as much of my other equipment, but I have ran 6 pounds of solder across mine with very little problem, sometimes having it on for 4-5 hours at a time. I try to break my soldering equipment down every ~900-1000 hours of use and it looked good on the inside, except a little bit of milted plastic in where the barrel goes in.
 
Here is the link, I bought the cheaper 50w iron, but this is the same basically. If you have a bit more money get something better, I love the 3-in-1 stations, and if you want great quality get Weller or Hakko.
Click to expand...

The more expensive one is fine for my budget ($28 on Amazon). In my googling, I came across this from Adafruit (https://www.adafruit.com/products/180) and I'm wondering if it would do the trick (It is less expensive, smaller, and I like Adafruit :))? If not, the station that you suggested looks great.
 
That is for small circuit soldering like PCB, but I you probably want something at least 45w+.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks. Just making sure, but I'll be able to adjust the heat on the station to be able to safely solder pcbs and smaller circuits as well right?
 
Gabriel said:
Ok, thanks. Just making sure, but I'll be able to adjust the heat on the station to be able to safely solder pcbs and smaller circuits as well right?
Click to expand...
Yes, I honestly keep my irons about the same temp unless I am using eutectic on something really heat sensitive. Generally if you have a higher heat you can get on and off a joint faster leaving a smaller HAL. I do like the ability to adjust heat even if I don't use it.
 
RGJameson said:
Just saw this, too cool. But only for 220V. :(

Click to expand...
Hahahaha, terribly slow, good concept, but there are some places you could not get it in. A pen is really handy, I've used a soldering gun (they are not near as popular as they were), and they were beat by the pens for a good reason hahaha

Probably worth buying to test out.
 
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