Soldering iron

[Dark61]

Struggled to get a couple of brushes soldered in on a starter motor i was cleaning up today. Not sure what my current one is rated at - but was wondering - go for a gas option or the highest watts i can find. Not needing it to be portable, just stronger.
All comments gratefully received as usual,
cheers,
D

[Tank]

Struggled to get a couple of brushes soldered in on a starter motor i was cleaning up today. Not sure what my current one is rated at - but was wondering - go for a gas option or the highest watts i can find. Not needing it to be portable, just stronger.
All comments gratefully received as usual,
cheers,
D

Small tip soldering irons don't hold the heat long enough so you need to get one that has enough power to keep the tip hot, and consider that you may need a flux or at least a good cleaning, I have never had real good results with rosin core solder, Regards Frank.

[p38arover]

I still have a 150 watt 12 volt Scope iron and it's in my Rangie's tool kit.

Dad used to use the 3.3 volt version in the Fifties.

The 12 volt version is identical except for a looong lead and is still available. SCOPE 107-HI/BL SOLDERING IRON 12V 30-150W SUPERSCOPE BLACK HANDLE | Auto Cable & Accessories (http://www.autocable.com.au/products/product/107-HI%2FBL?category=JTQAUUQQ&)

It can get red hot at the copper tip if one holds the switch down for too long.

127478
(My usual iron is a Weller temperature controlled iron I bought for $27 in 1971.)

[Homestar]

Yep, I'll second the scope - I built one as a 1st year apprentice and it's still going strong. I also have a temp controlled iron, a gas powered one which is handy fit small jobs on the car, etc and 3 or 4 other irons of various sizes ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. :)

[Mercguy]

I'll make it 3 in a row.
The 3.3v version of the 180w Super Scope (SS) iron that Ron linked you to still has every single part available for it as a replacement part.
I've still got one which I bought in 1987. I've used 4 carbon tips, one stainless barrel, and about a dozen chisel points in that time. Also have the orange handle version, which is 100w.

It's worth buying a spare set of chisel point tips for it, and a set of carbon contactors. then you're good to go for at least 20 years. I'm not a fan of the conical point, the iron's too hot for them. They have a smaller newer iron for that style tip.
a block of sal-ammoniac is handy also. (tip cleaner for heavy duty irons - stinks like nobodys...)

The transformer has changed on the scope irons - it's now in an orange case, instead of being the bare transformer with the iron rest on the top and bakelite covers on each side. I think it's 3.3v and approx 30A

For the really really huge jobs like soldering lugs on 0000 B&S you can't beat a pot of solder or a plumbers soldering iron - aka the sievert blowtorch with the huge copper chisel point slug out front.

[p38arover]

I forgot about the Primus propane torch with a large copper tip for soldering. I must have had it for 30 years - I got it from my father.

Similar to this:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/08/135.jpg

[JDNSW]

In 1964 I soldered up the leak in the top radiator tank of my Series 2 using a Scope soldering iron. Still got it somewhere.

[Dark61]

Scope it is then Gents.

Cheers,
D

[p38arover]

Crikey, they aren't cheap any more! I wonder if you'd find a secondhand one on eBay or Gumtree?

[Dark61]

Yes I thought ouch! But you get what you pay for. Will have a look at gumtree etc.
cheers,
D

[rovers4]

They come from Warren and Brown in Melbourne. Spares through Radio Parts Group, plus others.

I have around six of them, plus the transformers.

Found quite a few at garage sales and tip shops.

Replacing the speial heavy duty cable going to the iron, when required is the hard bit.

Great for most auto work, plus work on any valve radios and other gear of that sizing.

Min-Scope good for the tighter spaces.

Pro level gas irons very good too, plus a few more options - component stress heat checks, heatshrinking when no mains avail for the heat gun.

But I love the Scope.

OK, for the electronics work of today's design, the small pencil and mini chisel tip irons are the go.

[goingbush]

Ive been looking for a 3.3V scope for years , I had one in my teens and loved it, but I have no idea where it is now or how I lost track of it . Rovers4 - you don't want to let one go do you (complete with transformer)

Ive found myself assembling a lot of PCB boards lately, got a little production line going making Arduino powered diff lock computers for the Iveco 4x4's . found my weller was not up to the task so lashed out $200 on a HAKKO FX888 , a great little iron, ......so far .

[rovers4]

The good old Scope is a bit of an overkill for your work. A 60w iron sounds better for the heavier bits, a 25w would be still a lot for the lighter joints.

So your investment is probably right.


The post cost alone prevents a sale. Cheaper to buy a new item, or look on gumtree locally.

[Danjeffery]

Thanks for the info guys!
I’ve been looking for a decent soldering iron for a while and after reading this post last night...
Picked up a Scope 12v today. Trade Tools was able to order one in for me.