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Repairing a Soldering Iron

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Mark Simpson 107/02/2023 17:01:13
115 forum posts
30 photos

Large soldering electric irons still available from Express Electric Soldering Irons (roofing-tools.com) and Industrial Soldering Irons (somersetsolders.com) up to 550W
for my last 2 bits of tinplate work I used a hefty manual one heated with a propane blowlamp... Must be donkeys years old, came from a jumble sale

Nicholas Farr07/02/2023 17:06:53
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3988 forum posts
1799 photos
Posted by Pete Rimmer on 06/02/2023 20:09:26:
Posted by James Alford on 06/02/2023 12:42:22:

I was wondering whether anyone has had any experience and success repairing this type of soldering iron? It has taken to tripping out the electrics from time to time. I shall change the lead as a precaution, but would welcome any other suggestions or advice from experience that people have.

Thank you.

James

What wattage is that James? If it's 65W then I could spare one of mine for you as a replacement. I have a 125W (110v) , had a 100W but it got destroyed in a fire and I have a couple of 65W.

To anyone contemplating stripping the element out of theirs for a service be advised that they do contain what appears to be asbestos and it's quite friable so only attempt this if you're aware of the risks and precutions. You don't want 5 million fibres in your lungs just to save a tool you can get for a fiver at the boot fair.

Hi Pete, I don't know if there is any asbestos in my 65W one as I've never had any reason to take it apart, But there certainly wasn't any in the 250W one, there were Mica sheets though, which some had just fell to pieces, these were between the two heating elements and a separation strip of soft iron, and between the outside of the two heating elements and the outer shield, which was inserted into the slot of the copper bit.

soldering iron2.jpg

I don't know why some rubbish these soldering irons, as they do the work they were made for, and both of mine have paid for themselves without any doubt. The one that is in pieces was one that I used in my old job many years ago, and got used for a whole day on a regular job over many years, until that particular piece of machinery became redundant, but it wasn't new when I got it, and it didn't melt like the Antex one that I did buy new, in the photo below.

melted antex.jpg

I only had this one at home, but it didn't do even a quarter on the work the one above it did.

Regards Nick.

James Alford07/02/2023 19:07:19
501 forum posts
88 photos
Posted by Clive India on 07/02/2023 09:49:49:

Since everyone is too polite to say it - these are crap and you should all throw them in the bin and start again with something new.

Clearly they are rubbish. How else would it have lasted for several years of commercial use before I was given it?

Jeff Dayman07/02/2023 22:18:53
2356 forum posts
47 photos

Ridiculous comment that they are rubbish, in my opinion. They can be made to do excellent work for many years yet, several ways. Even if someone did want to replace them with new heavy duty irons, they would find that they are seriously expensive to buy - one example of a US made very good quality brand of iron is below.

https://americanbeautytools.com/soldering-iron-3198

Good luck with yours James.

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