Poll: Poll: Do you have a soldering iron?

Feek · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:36

Inspired by a comment from someone on Twitter who I assumed would have a soldering iron but when questioned said "I never learned to solder".

Do you own a soldering iron, or have access to one at home?

Secondary question (no poll), if so, are you confident using it?

datalol-jack · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:38

I vote Ban... with SOLDERING IRON!

On Holiday · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:38

Yes I do, although not used it for a very long time.

In fact the only reason I bought it was to do the resistor trick on the Corsair H100 to stop the pump rattling. Worked well and never used it since, probably 3 years ago now.

robfosters · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:41

Oddest poll question yet!

No, btw. Wouldn't know what to do with it. I'd probably end up melting myself or something.

Glaucus · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:41

yes and yes, but I really need a third pair of hands,
the amount of Chinese electronics that the wires detach on like head torches is atrocious.
and then wired up an e-bike battery, so yeah I can use one, might not be neat like others though.

Em3bbs · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:42

Yes, had one since school (I'm in my early 40s). Funnily enough I used it today to bodge a bayonet light fitting where the pins were so worn they didn't touch the bulb contacts. I don't want to replace the light as we're doing the whole kitchen soon so it was a handy fix.

Previous use was a few weeks ago, a wire had come off the battery connections on a little toy Audi Police car my son loves so the lights and siren stopped working.

G-MAN2004 · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:43

Yes and yes. Always had one in the house, and learnt how to use it in secondary school.

Caged · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:44

Got a couple, few different tips etc. Wouldn't attempt any SMT work though.

agw_01 · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:47

Yes and yes. Love soldering, really need to get myself a decent soldering station. Currently using an Antex 25w electric iron and also have a gas powered soldering iron which has been a godsend when doing automotive wiring.

Uther · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:47

Yep. had the same one for about twenty years. I don't solder very often, but when I do, it's handy to have...

james.miller · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:47

Yes, got a couple of Wellers. Used to build prototype audio boards, mixing desks etc by hand, so quite confident.

peige · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:53

Yes and yes, confident using it.

Feek · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:54

My main iron is a very old Weller PU-3D, with different sized tips it does everything I've ever needed from a soldering iron.

I've had this for over thirty years and even though I say so myself, I'm damn good with it

I know exactly how long it takes to warm up to operating temperature. I switch it on, walk to the bathroom to wet the sponge and by the time I get back, it's ready to go.

fornowagain · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:55

Yes, several. Competent user.

G-MAN2004 · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:57

We have the exact same one, Feek. Been in the house since I was a kid.

I don't think the sponge has ever been changed.

Oh Ed not again. · 23 Apr 2017 at 20:59

Yes, and the OP told me which one to buy. Antex XS, with a couple of additional tips. It's been faultless as promised too.

Feek · 23 Apr 2017 at 21:00

G-MAN2004 said:
I don't think the sponge has ever been changed.

Funnily enough, I think that's my original sponge as well. It's looked as though it's on the way out for years but I just give it a good clean and squeeze and it's fine again. You can see some spare sponges stacked up behind the iron which I've bought but never got around to using

tres · 23 Apr 2017 at 21:00

Bought my first one last week in my attempt to learn basic electronics to automate the house for minimal cost. I don't know how to use it though.

Werewolf · 23 Apr 2017 at 21:01

Feek said:
My main iron is a very old Weller PU-3D, with different sized tips it does everything I've ever needed from a soldering iron.

I've had this for over thirty years and even though I say so myself, I'm damn good with it

I know exactly how long it takes to warm up to operating temperature. I switch it on, walk to the bathroom to wet the sponge and by the time I get back, it's ready to go.

That's almost exactly the same as my one, although mine has some bits of melted plastic on the casing...

An electrician neighbour gave it to me when I was about 12 or so as he was had just got a new better one.

I'm not great with it, as I haven't had much practice for the last 10 years or so but I'm still able to do the odd soldering job (one of the last ones was replacing the battery holder on an Astra's key fob).

Rroff · 23 Apr 2017 at 21:02

Yes... too many of them :s including my main 48 Watt temperature controlled solder station and even some USB ones which are surprisingly better than you'd think.

My first ever was an Antex XS which was great but when I tried to replace it about 2-3 years ago when I got back into electronics after a break of about 20 years the newer ones weren't even a fraction as good.

Fairly competent as I can hand solder SSOP-28.

Poll: Poll: Do you have a soldering iron?

Do you own, or have access to a soldering iron at home?

Yes

No