Jim Yanik

jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote in
news:dP-dnRbTIPzvj-veRVn-rw@speakeasy.net:

> Burt S. wrote:
>> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
>> news:xIadnSIw0_enNeneRVn-hg@speakeasy.net...
>>
>>
>>>how? a soldering iron at 250C [or whatever it is] is a
>>>soldering iron at 250C!!!
>>
>>
>> Wattage does count, as that's what generates the heat. I
>> wouldn't recommend an extremely high-Watt constant power
>> soldering iron. This wouldn't be appropriate for a beginner.
>> Higher heat is acceptable (or preferred) when skilled techs are
>> experienced with the higher temps. Typically, an effective iron
>> tip is supposedly (400C) 750F /25 Watt.
>>
>>
>>>all the wattage does is ensure it can heat larger objects
>>>quicker by dumping more heat into it.
>>
>>
>> It's the heat capacity that matters most, and that's a combination
>> of a large enough tip to transfer the heat quickly, and enough
>> wattage to generate the heat.
>>
>>
>>>otherwise the built-in thermostat
>>>ensures temperature constancy.
>>
>>
>> Not all soldering irons are temperature-controlled. There is a
>> *huge* difference between constant power and constant
>> temp irons.
>
> ok, but can you explain to the class exactly how a 25W iron at 400C is
> "hotter" than a 60W iron at 400C? thanks.
>
>

My older Weller irons have ferromagnetic tips that regulate temperature,and
the selection runs from 600 to 900 degF.Then there's the selection of tip
widths,allowing more or less heat transfer.

With no temp control,an iron's tip temp can climb much higher than 700degF.


--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Burt S.

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:Xns970CDB11459AAjyanikkuanet@129.250.170.84.. .
> jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote in
> news:dP-dnRbTIPzvj-veRVn-rw@speakeasy.net:

> > ok, but can you explain to the class exactly how a 25W iron at 400C is
> > "hotter" than a 60W iron at 400C? thanks.

The 25W iron will seem hotter with a larger tip that can transfer heat to
the load better than a 60W iron at 400C.

> My older Weller irons have ferromagnetic tips that regulate temperature,and
> the selection runs from 600 to 900 degF.Then there's the selection of tip
> widths,allowing more or less heat transfer.
>
> With no temp control,an iron's tip temp can climb much higher than 700degF.

A non-temp controlled iron rated at 400C can *continue* to increase in tip
temperature the longer it's plugged in -- up to 1100 degrees-F !

Michael Pardee

"Burt S." <burtsquareman@gmailcom> wrote in message
news:hOIdf.17471$tV6.1640@newssvr27.news.prodigy.n et...

> A non-temp controlled iron rated at 400C can *continue* to increase in tip
> temperature the longer it's plugged in -- up to 1100 degrees-F !
>
When I was a teenager a friend had a soldering gun with a tip that glowed
orange! I was impressed, but I'm not sure how useful the thing was. Silver
solder, maybe?

Mike