Soldering Iron wattage

[KevinSTP]

Hey Yall;
   I am just finishing up a DS-1 Seeing Eye mod and haven't done much of this for quite a while.mostly Guitar and amp repairs.While modding my pedal I cooked some of the traces and have to do some hard wiring-I have Rsack Irons-15,30,45 watt.15 with 60/40 solder is a pain,I may pick up a 25watt Weller until I can get one of those cool soldering stations I saw on another post here.Any wattage recommendations to keep from frying boards?-by the way I noticed my local hardware spot has some solder options,low temp silver solder 430 degree.Oh yeah-This forum has given me a new addiction. :twisted:
                     Kevin

[ErikMiller]

The times that I cooked traces, it was as a result of leaving the iron on the joint too long.

If you have to leave it on that long to flow the solder, either your positioning is off, your leads are tarnished or your tip is dirty.

As for the positioning, I place the iron so that it's touching both the lead and the pad, wait a beat, then touch the solder to it.

You are going to love your temp-controlled soldering station. Oh yes.

[ExpAnonColin]

I got a xytronics one.  The wattage isn't so much important as what temp I have it on.  I can burn right through when it's at max, but normally I keep it around 500 degrees F unless it's a bigger joint, or if it's an IC I'm soldering I lowe rit quite q bit.

-Colin

[Peter Snowberg]

25W is a good size for circuit boards, but for $39 you can get an actively controlled 45W station here:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

Spend $11 more dollars there and you get a free DMM too. (remember to add the promo code to your order!)

I would recommend getting 63/37 solder because it just works so much better. The thing about that alloy is that it transitions from solid to liquid without spending a while in the "plastic" range. That reduces the chances of a cold joint and geneally results in better connections. Get one pound for $7 here:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6262

That brings you to $46, and it's pretty easy to spend another $4 there if you want the meter.

I would not recommend a non-actively controlled iron at this point. The difference is night and day. The same goes for the 63/37 (eutectic) alloy solder.

Take care,
-Peter

[petemoore]

I just resoldered a big thermal mass spot on a SS phazer.
 Where six leads and a big trace were I needed to heat all the metals [this is the idea] with extra time and at two different points [...] to get a connection.
 I think I got that now...lol...hopefully it will save LOTS of debugging time in ther future [it took me a while for me to find it]'
 for the regualr [small joint thermall mass] I tried the prefferred technique of heating the metals that stay solid first...this works good,,,of course, but also the solder itself cools the mass as it is applied...using this aspect of the overall equation helps to get the heat plenty where you need it and just to where you want it.

[Rick]

Just received the xytronics 379ul iron from circuit specialists after being convinced of it's merits by Peter. He is quite right - this is a real soldering iron suitable for production line work if needed. Fast temp controlled heat up, high quality long life tips, burn proof silicone iron cord, shaved brass tip cleaner, and nice stand. Not to forget the free DMM and they also threw in a cute digital calendar with the order. I havn't seen a better iron for this price. Thanks for the "heads up" on this iron Peter - you should be getting a sales commission for this. (my old Weller station is now retired)

[Ansil]

i have tried both and while they have their advantages  i will stick to my little ratshack mico iron. for pcb work.  a 40w for bigger stuff and flame for anythign i forgot.

[bettycat]

I use two different soldering irons. A 15 watt Ersa for the PCB work and a 30 Watt Ersa for all the rest (jacks, power jacks, pots, switches ...)
Works fine for me.

[KevinSTP]

Well I picked up a Weller 25 watt today and found my roll of RShack Silver Bearing Solder-62/34/2%silver.Any comments on this solders qualities?
       Kevin