Soldering for Dummies

[ophic]

I prefer a hair-dryer to a lighter when working near the tank.

Thanks for the tips YC and quiff, I will do all of that (i thought the iron might be a bit harsh, and far too direct heat for the shrink wrap)

Originally Posted by ophic

I prefer a hair-dryer to a lighter when working near the tank.

Meh (! lol), i've used naked flames near ether before. No problem.

Bit stupid though really

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by ophic

I prefer a hair-dryer to a lighter when working near the tank.

Poof! Always keep a lit cigarette in your mouth when working with fuel. Keeps you on your toes

[ophic]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Poof!

Look, it wasn't even my hair-dryer...

Originally Posted by ophic

Look, it wasn't even my hair-dryer...

shoulda said "heat gun"

we use heat guns in the lab

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

shoulda said "heat gun"

we use heat guns in the lab

I remember now, that's exactly what it was

I worry more with heat guns () aorund volatile flammables...I fear that vapour will get drawn through the back and into the heating element, making a nice flame thrower

I move my ether and my hexane and my other flammables well away now when using the...heat gun...

I'm surprised at some of the suggestions for 'any soldering iron'. I'm sure they're correct...it's just my experience buying a cheap one was horrible....it doesn't seem to get hot enough to properly melt the solder, dunno why - I have to spend ages pushing the solder in different directions until it hits the right spot and melts.

I only learnt a bit about soldering at my last job, around 2002, and because it was professional they had some quite good equipment. I'd say it's well worth your while getting one of those little contraptions for holding wires in place - it's like 2 clips on mechanical arms, that are both fixed to a block. You just use the arms to hold each piece of wire, in front of you, so they don't try and come apart etc.

I need to do some soldering of heated grips soon so I will be watching this thread for new soldering iron suggestions

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

shoulda said "heat gun"

we use heat guns in the lab

Yeah Ophic- it's just a consumer heat gun!