Which soldering iron for old car work?

[Huntsman]

Possibly not the correct section of PH, but sodlering is something old car owners might need to do.

I need to solder earth wires onto stop and tail bulb holders, so the bulb holder is a fairly big heat sink.

I'm thinking about this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Soldering-Iron-60W...

Comments? Other suggestions?

[Huntsman]

Or this Weller?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weller-SP80L-SP80N-Solde...

[Harrytsg]

I've always used a gas soldering iron on my cars, they are adjustable for different jobs and (the ones I have) have different tips as well, plus of course no power lead.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/soldering-irons/0600...

I used to have to climb all over cranes so power wasn't always readily available where I was and it was very useful, never really seen the reason to buy a electric one as I've not really done extended bench work.

[Huntsman]

Harrytsg said:

I've always used a gas soldering iron on my cars, they are adjustable for different jobs and (the ones I have) have different tips as well, plus of course no power lead.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/soldering-irons/0600...

I used to have to climb all over cranes so power wasn't always readily available where I was and it was very useful, never really seen the reason to buy a electric one as I've not really done extended bench work.

Thanks, I had some experience of gas ones abotu 25 years ago and they were rubbish then. I have a 12 volt one I use on the boat, but looking for a big chunky one now, the 80W mains one is 33% more oomph than the 60w gas one whichi I think will be best for me.

[woodytype S]

Depends on what you want to solder.Wireing to spade connectors.joining wires etc.I use gas.When I changed the polarity on a rev counter I used a elec. one.

[//j17]

A second vote for modern gas powered irons here.

They work well and heat up/cool down quickly, so it's no problem to pop the solder tip on and solder the connection, then swap it for the hot air tip to shrink-wrap your newly soldered connection.

I'm not sure I'd swap my 240v iron for one when I can remove the offending wire from the car, but when I've got my head in the footwell I'd actually rather have a gas one I can switch on and off as required and tends to stay where I put it as it doesn't have a flex to knock when I move.

[Harrytsg]

Huntsman said:

Thanks, I had some experience of gas ones abotu 25 years ago and they were rubbish then. I have a 12 volt one I use on the boat, but looking for a big chunky one now, the 80W mains one is 33% more oomph than the 60w gas one whichi I think will be best for me.

Dont let that one put you off, theres plenty of higher power ones available as well, but if its electric you want then Weller or Metcal.

[Sardonicus]

Portasol gas portable us guys on the tools swear by em, for the intricate work a soldering station can't be beaten.

[Huntsman]

Righty ho, I'll get a gas one.

[Incorrigible]

Another option for the connections you want to make; A 4mm crimp ring terminal and a rivet

[Nigel Worc's]

A big yes from an electronic eng for gas, on anything that soaks heat !

[Huntsman]

Happened to be passing Screwfix...couldn't help myself...more cheap Chinese junk...240volt...40w...£7.99, did the job a treat.