Solder Irons

[Aja]

I see battery operated solder irons are now becoming popular. I'm in need of an iron that can be used outside - not for long periods of time. I could run a 240v cable to where I need it but thought that a battery iron would be more useful for other projects.

I did have a gas iron in the past - no use in any wind unfortunately.

So - anything I need to look out for? Wattage? Battery longevity?
TIA

 

[Refueler]

I have two 12v Soldering irons .... work excellently in cabin ... but no use outside if any breeze ...

You mention your Gas Iron ... I assume that was a Propane job ... if that's no use outside - I don't think a battery one will be any better.

 

[B27]

Modern lead free solder has a high melting point.
Working outdoors, even a small breeze has a cooling effect.

I would look for something quite powerful.
Probably either something temperature controlled or the instant heating type.

I have a 12V Weller iron, but outdoors I find a mains 'solder gun' type more useful. Also doubles as a hot knife.
I could run it from a small inverter.

 

[Aja]

Push comes to shove I have a Honda 650E petrol generator as well as being about 40 metres from 240v for this particular job.

I was hoping there was a battery iron that could hold its own with 240v as this would work for other applications.

 

[Bouba]

Modern solder and flux is so useless it’s better to use chewing gum

 

[oldmanofthehills]

To do any good outside you need 100w iron or bigger. Weller dont do anything that big in 12v as far as I know, and only go up to 75w on 24v which is marginal

 

[davidej]

I have four mains soldering irons. 60 watt 40 watts 25 watts and 10 Watts. All but one from boot sales. Which one to use depends on what you’re soldering.

 

[B27]

Modern solder and flux is so useless it’s better to use chewing gum

If you can find conductive chewing gum that is.

I have used conductive epoxy, but not for boat work.

 

[ProDave]

Modern lead free solder has a high melting point.

There is your problem. I have enough 60/40 to last me out.

 

[chris-s]

Son uses a Milwaukee cordless soldering iron on board and highly rates it. They have a lot of Milwaukee rechargeable tools so plenty of batteries and chargers.

 

[Mister E]

I have a Lidl Parkside 20v soldering iron and it works reasonably well outside. I have not used it in to much wind so can not say how good it would be then.

 

[Bouba]

Apart from splattering the wet solder...why would wind affect a battery powered soldering iron ?

 

[William_H]

Seems like Jaycar here in oz have plenty of tin/lead solder. I have not had much success with lead free solder. I have used lead solder all my life with I hope no concerns. However I can imagine in a production factory lead solder would be bad.
Re soldering irons. First question is what are you soldering? For fine wire low wattage will do. battery or 12v hopefully you can get it out of the wind. For heavier wires you will need much more power. ie bigger tip. 100w or more. OP might find a solution in using an old plumber's soldering iron heated on the cooker. ol'will

 

[Neeves]

100w or more. OP might find a solution in using an old plumber's soldering iron heated on the cooker. ol'will

I had a small, unbranded, gas soldering iron - I don't recall using it in a gale (I try not to need to climb a mast in a gale) but it worked well at the top of the mast. The device relied on gas cartridges not much different in size to LJ bottles.

Or a blow torch (which you can source, at least in Oz, that fit on one of those butane cartridges, used for Korean BBQs). Cheap as chips. I used the blow torch to fill the connectors of an Anderson plug (which come in all forms, including waterproof) with molten solder when joining the cable. Or that much smaller creme brûlée blow torch (Aldi) if the soldering is a bit more delicate and needs less heat

Solutions really depend on what the OP wants to solder and where.

Again - more detail from the OP would be useful, for the OP, as we could supply more useful and focussed recommendations

Jonathan

 

[VicS]

There is your problem. I have enough 60/40 to last me out.

Me too.

 

[Skylark]

Soldering irons fall into the same category as multimeters and torches. No self respecting man can have too many

@Aja a couple of months ago I had a replacement alarm fitted to one of my old bangers by a mobile mechanic. He used a lithium battery powered iron, not 100% sure but think it was Milwaukee, sold by Screwfix for around £80. He has been a car electrician for a million years and told me that the iron was one of the best new tools that he’d bought in years.

Edit, I also have enough lead solder to see out my days

 

[lustyd]

. I have enough 60/40 to last me out.

So do the shops, it hasn’t been discontinued

 

[Bouba]

I have a really cheap set of soldering irons about £20 but 220 volts…one of them is gun with a trigger and the element is circular and makes a circuit. I took the element out and shaped it by hand into a knife blade shaped…I then hammered the edge sharp…it is now a very effective rope cutter for a fraction of the price…and I still have two more soldering irons in the set

 

[Refueler]

Apart from splattering the wet solder...why would wind affect a battery powered soldering iron ?

Cooling of wind blowing over the tip and solder as you try to work ??

I know I have to create a 'stop wind box' shielding to have any chance outside with my 12v irons ... even my 240v 40w struggles.

 

[Bouba]

Cooling of wind blowing over the tip and solder as you try to work ??

I know I have to create a 'stop wind box' shielding to have any chance outside with my 12v irons ... even my 240v 40w struggles.

Yeah I don’t get it either...if I ever have to work outside in windy conditions on some delicate task....i do it with my back to the wind like a normal person