soldering

Having not done any soldering can anyone tell me if this kit is suitable for doing connections on my winch power cable and general electrical bits and bobs http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRAPER-71420-100W ... 240%3A1318

Hi woodwizard

I am an electronics engineer with 45 years experience in soldering, I live in Trowbridge Wiltshire
if you can get here I can solder it, no problem.

Martin

Thanks for that Martin

I will have other little jobs to do so would look to buy a little kit anyway, don't need anything flash just good enough to do a little bit of DIY soldering. Do you think the kit will be ok?

A bit more expensive, but I'd go for something like http://www.screwfix.com/prods/52302/Ele ... Iron-PS100 .The advantage with gas is a quick warm up time and no power cords!

Regards

TFB

Hi again Woodwizzard

Either soldering iron will do, both have advantages and disadvantages,
if you could afford it I would get both, if you are considering soldering very
large cables i.e. 4mm or above you will require even a bigger soldering iron
or a small blow torch.

If you feel the need I am prepared to teach (advise) you on how to solder.

Please remember that if you are using a lead based solder that lead is a poison,
so take precautions.
Do not inhale the fumes and wash your hands after wards.

Martin

The first job will be to cut the livewire to the winch so I can install an isolator switch, so yes, the cable is pretty beefy. I also need to put a decent connector on the live to my alternater, so again quite thick wire. After that it will only see the light of day occassionaly.

I expect you know but my old metalwork master used to say,in reference to soldering, "get it mechanically clean and chemically clean".I always go overboard with getting the work clean with a file or emery cloth ,try not too touch it, and use solder with flux in the core and put flux on as well.I use an oxyacetelene torch with a very small nozzle as I can be certain of getting it hot ( I have always stuggled with soldering irons) and melting the solder properly but this may be awkward on a vehicle. The stuff I do is nearly always on a bench and to be honest I hardly ever solder. If you do go for a soldering iron get the biggest and hottest there is nothing worse than having to reclean and resolder a joint.Give me welding any day.

ive been a welder for 20 years now welding things from j.c.b buckets, to lamposts,and i consider myself to be dam good at it ,,,,but soldering beats me everytime, :oops:

i always end up getting the insolation tape out :roll:

My brothers a goldsmith, so if I can possibly wangle it I get him to do soldering for me.I find the tactic of standing around with the bits looking helpless does the trick. Welding's great .