Hi Zach,

You might find either a 'regular' or average sized soldering gun to be of use, or a 40W-50W iron, mainly depending on the size of wire / connector you plan to typically work on. Soldering guns typically will have a higher wattage rating and a larger surface contact area, lending them to better handle heating of, say, the shell of a PL-259. An iron is better suited for smaller or lower power (i.e. more sensitive to heat) applications. Various tips can be had on irons also to help suit them to the work to be done. The most common are round tips or chisel points.

Weller is probably the best known and distrubuted brand of the consumer brands. A local hardware store or some hobby stores would be likely to carry them as well as might big box stores.

Kind regards & 73,

Lowell K9LDW

------ Original Message ------ Received: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:33:15 PM CDT From: zach hillerson qstick333@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] soldering iron recommendation

A bit off topic - I am hoping to get  better at making cables and dipoles

etc... and would like to replace the antiquated soldering iron I am attempting to use with something more suited to the job.  I'd appreciate a recommendation as to brands/models I should be looking at for this type of work.  I'm not sure what wattage would be appropriate.  I do not plan to do circuit work at this time, strictly connectors and HF dipoles.

Thanks!

Zach N4ERZ

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