Heavy Duty Soldering Iron Recomendation?

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 18 Jan 2011 4:16 pm

Well....my old 100/150 watt or so iron with the huge tip that I used for chassis grounds and the like will no longer heat. It has to be 50-60 years old so I've been waiting for the day.

What are you using for this type of work today(make and model) and where did you by it? I'm looking for something currently available... website purchase etc. I looked at the big box sites but they where no help.

Thanks,

RH

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 18 Jan 2011 4:59 pm

I use a weller iron for everything and a gun for the chassis grounds.

Or just use the weller and do star grounds - I find them to be much easier and faster!

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 18 Jan 2011 5:31 pm

Get 'er done!

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-volt-s ... 45689.html

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 18 Jan 2011 10:01 pm

You might try asking Gerald Weber at Kendrick Amplifiers where to find one. They use a 150-watter for chassis grounds ("Big Bertha"). I built one of their amp kits about 8 years ago, and on his recommendation I tracked one down, but it wasn't easy, and unfortunately I have no recollection of where I found it. I didn't have a computer then, and was entirely clueless about the Internet. I wish I could be more help, but Gerald is a very helpful guy.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Jan 2011 3:02 am

The old AC Weller "guns" are out. Never use them close to solid state devices, both the heat and the AC induction can cause a lot of damage.

I have an old 47 watt Weller iron with a "chisel" tip I've used for years for heavy jobs but I find I don't even need that anymore. I have a variable heat iron that I can use for light PC work and for heavier soldering ground shield wire on plugs.

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 19 Jan 2011 7:05 am

I bought an 80 watt Weller iron at a hardware store to do chassis grounds and it works great. It's got a real big tip on it!

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 19 Jan 2011 8:10 am

Jerry, same that I use for chassis grounds and it works great. What is needed is a wide tip for more surface area heating, not a lot of wattage. My old Weller soldering gun would never do a chassis ground, even at its highest wattage setting. The 80 watt Weller nails those down. I use two Weller temperature controlled stations with various size tips for all other general soldering.

Scott Palmer · Post by **Scott Palmer** » 19 Jan 2011 2:59 pm

Soldering irons/guns were a constant source of frustration and expenditure- until I bought a HAKKO soldering station. The one I have (cannot remember model #- 936?- and it's at home) melts solder on EVERYTHING-amp chassis, backs of pots- you name it. it has variable temp control, and is very high quality. Makes soldering a pleasure.

You can check them out here (no affiliation):

http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoSolderingStations.html

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 19 Jan 2011 3:37 pm

I found a Weller 80W iron on ebay with a 3/8 chisel tip for $30 and free shipping.

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to pull the trigger on the ebay deal.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 21 Jan 2011 1:16 am

I have a Weller pen for small circuit stuff, but for heavy duty I got these:

The smaller one (lower left) is the model STANDARD 7200.
It didnt quite have enough power for heavy soldering, though.

The Weller UNIVERSAL 140/100 WATTS (upper right) does the job.

Clete

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 21 Jan 2011 9:21 am

The guns don't/won't do the job I'm looking to do. Lots of watts but not enough mass in the tip to transfer enough heat to do chassis connections properly. I'm talking brass ground plates to thick Fender style chassis here.

I own a big Weller gun that was given to me by my Dad back in the '60s. I pull it out when quick heat is needed. Maybe a ground on the back of a guitar pot but never on a PC or eyelet board....way too hot! Small iron 30-40 watts on every thing else. Quick in and out.

BTW, my old iron that died may have been a "Big Bertha". I seem to remember that name before it wore off the handle. I googled the name but all I got was golf clubs(hehehe). The 80W Weller should be fine. A couple of you are using it with good results.

They (Weller) have really cool irons for the Euro market that I saw online. Must be the CE regs over there. Too bad the volts don't match.

Thanks guys!

Bill A. Moore · Post by **Bill A. Moore** » 21 Jan 2011 1:19 pm

It's fairly easy to make tips for your soldering gun using 12 ga. copper wire. Beat the shape you want, then bend the wires to connect into the gun. Everything from a small chisel, to wide flat can be fabricated.I have a tip that I use to solder to chassis that's approx 5/16 x 5/16 made this way.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 21 Jan 2011 2:19 pm

As far as I know, "Big Bertha" is just the Kendrick guys' nickname for their big iron.

I just got mine out (haven't used it in a while) and it's a Weller SP-175, 175 watts! (.62" chisel tip)

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 21 Jan 2011 3:00 pm

Cool, I seem to remember "Big Bertha" in an oval logo on the wood handle. I S-canned the thing so there is no turning back.

175 watts....that's a good number!

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 21 Jan 2011 3:16 pm

Rich, that's the iron we use as well on our tube amp chassis and it does the job. As a matter of fact you can see that inside your Fox amp as well.

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 21 Jan 2011 4:17 pm

Thanks Ken,

When I saw what you and Jerry where using I went for it too. I'll take the back off the 5D6B and check those grounds!(Hahahaha)

Difficult to replace a tool you have had for 30+ years and an exact replacement is not available.

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 22 Jan 2011 9:34 am

FYI...I just Googled "weller sp175" and found that it's available for around $60....in case anyone wants one. Looks like it has a plastic, heat resistant, handle.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 22 Jan 2011 3:11 pm

Big Bertha. Heavy iron!

On the soldering iron front, 30 years ago, I had a Weller with replaceable cartridges. All sizes, from tiny to huge. Was it a "Princess?" Very handy iron!