Soldering tips

[trmwf]

Anybody have any good tips on soldering? I have no problem putting a few wires together but am thinking of a brass kit that would require soldering. Any tricks to it??? Mike

[untabubba]

Sorry guys, I grew up in a major metropolitan suburb (Philly) in the 60s.....I rode a bicycle to my girlfriend's house....is that a "bicycle date"? I never knew anyone who built a crystal set.....I knew a girl NAMED Crystal that HAD a set......but I don't think that's what we're talking about. Sounds pretty cool though, to listen to your own "radio broadcast" with your date! What does this have to do with soldering? Marc

[beastranger]

Marc If you had ever built one of those kits, you would know how to solder. I never had one of my own but used to help the neihborhood geek put his together. He even built a large color television in the late sixties. I remember being amased at how much stuff Heath had in their catalog. Punk

[70novahound]

I had one of their 101 kits from Radio Shack, you could do all kinds of electrical experiments with it, even the AM radio. It even made a noise like a cat meowing, many hours of fun teasing my mother's Boston Terrier with that one! Boy did he hate cats!]:) CJ

[nutz2u22]

Cancel that stocking stuffer! I think I'll put in a Gift Certificate instead. EZ

[untabubba]

Punk, CJ, et al The name Heath is coming back to me. I had a geeky friend who used to build that stuff. I was busy soldering wires, speakers, plugs and jacks for my band's amps, mics, cables, etc. I also soldered things in conjunction with my Aurora HO slot cars. I just never built an actual kit. Marc

[ginzokid]

I think Allied was another brand of electronic kit. Eventually they all ended up at Radio Shack. There are some toy kits out there still and if you look, as I did, there are quite a few here on ebay. B-)

[flaretired]

My soldering iron just crapped out. I am now looking at a Weller variable type. It goes from 5 watts to 65 watts. My problem is the gauge is measured in heat. 150-650 degrees. Is anybody good in math to convert heat to watts? I guess 150 degrees = 5w and 650 = 65w. Since that is the min and max scale to go buy. My old one was a Radio Shack duel watt one. 20 and 40 watts which was just perfect. The problem is Radio Shack makes no replacement tips for this iron. If you want to look at it, here is the link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=1600... I think the price is right since my old one cost $24.95 Anybody ever use this kind of iron or no if it is good or not? Chuck 🙂

[dl85vette]

if it is variable then too much heat is better than not enuf. Experiment with scrap track and keep turning the heat up just enuf until you can make a good solder joint. too much and track ties will melt. i wouldn't complain having a weller.

[flaretired]

Just checked this unit out and found out it retails for $285.00. I got a hunch this is going to be way over my head by the time this auction is over. Chuck

[dl85vette]

here chuck: www.active123.com Awsome selection of everything under the rainbow. I could drop a couple grand in a heartbeat there. Active electronics has shops across canada. pasted this for you: US ORDERS We can ship to you via UPS or the carrier of your choice. Please refer to the comments following the shipping selection when completing the online order. Please note that some products may not be available for export due to export restrictions and dangerous goods shipping restrictions. Shipments to the USA are free of duty and brokerage for orders under US$200. Orders above this amount will usually require additional brokerage and duty charges which are collected by the shipping company at the time of delivery. UPS Express (Red) and Expedited (Blue) services include the brokerage charge in the freight rate but may still collect any import duties US Customs imposes. dave

[flaretired]

Thanks Dave great site. Chuck

[ginzokid]

Chuck, www.micromark.com Look for item number 81014, an adjustable soldering station by Weller for $62.95 and number 83516, a gun type two level heat for $23.75. B-)

[flaretired]

Thanks Pete. Chuck 🙂