I have an older soldering gun 100 watts. The handle is still good but the case around the transformer is gone. The transform is completely exposed. If I plug this in and use it what is the risk of getting shocked? Could I just put a bunch of electrical tape around it?
soldering gun is this safe to use?
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
yamaha0343
Well-known member
Well, how good is your heart?
bubinga
Well-known member
I would think that electrical tape would hamper the cooling abilities needed of the Transformer. There are usually vents in the case if I recall correctly. As far as getting shocked I am not sure without looking at it. Lots of times you can find the soldering guns pretty cheap for like five bucks at yard sales new or close to New.
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mbshop
Well-known member
Yea, they are not that expensive to take risks for a few bucks. I'm cheap and even I wouldn't risk using that.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Yes, people do still use them.
bubinga
Well-known member
jonesg
Well-known member
Good for silver soldering. Not so much for electronics.
bluecomputer
Well-known member
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- Jan 28, 2011
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High power electronics. Ground strapping. Shielding cans etc.
4xdog
Well-known member
One of my favorite lines in the movie Ronin is when De Niro's character says, "If there's any doubt, there is no doubt."
I tell myself that all the time now.
I tell myself that all the time now.
M_George
Well-known member
I use mine for wiring. Solder the wires then insulate with heat shrink tubing.
Ok, thanks.
I worked in defense electronic 30 years ago, where 50w was usually way too much heat.
Interesting enough, I'm teaching GFs grandson to solder today, so I'm having to try to remember a lot of it myself.
I worked in defense electronic 30 years ago, where 50w was usually way too much heat.
Interesting enough, I'm teaching GFs grandson to solder today, so I'm having to try to remember a lot of it myself.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Well, for soldering stuff. What do you think?
I use mine for wires that are too large for my soldering iron.
mbshop
Well-known member
Two Speed
Well-known member
A lot of todays multilayer boards need a lot of heat to get the joint sufficiently hot in order to melt the solder, they just sink the heat away. My goto anymore is a 100w pencil iron.
For your GF grandson, try and find some single layer boards to start on. You will be met with frustration if you are starting out with some old motherboards.
Alex.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I wouldn't use anything electrical that was broken like that, the penalty for bad luck is just too high.
My dad only ever had a soldering gun, but I was gifted a small iron when I was young. And I've always preferred irons since then, I have an 80 watt one that I use for heavy duty stuff, and a 30 watt one for the small stuff.
My dad only ever had a soldering gun, but I was gifted a small iron when I was young. And I've always preferred irons since then, I have an 80 watt one that I use for heavy duty stuff, and a 30 watt one for the small stuff.
Lotek
Well-known member
100 watt soldering gun works great for soldering the defroster tabs back onto rear hatches after someone's kid broke them off. Flow in a bit of silver solder, then release trigger and use the gun tip to hold the tab in place until it cools. But yeah, I'd toss that one and buy a new one, cheap insurance.
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AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
I would replace it. These are pretty cheap. Just saw one today https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/d/craftsman-medium-dutywatt/6647488035.html
driftpin
Well-known member
Anything electrical with bare wires/terminals/coils has crossed the threshold of it's "use-by" date. Scrap it or pitch it. You can never be 'too-safe' around electricity. My wife the E.E. will-be quick to tell you that, after a forty-one year career.
I have one that's probably 50+ years-old, it belonged to my father, but the case is still intact. I do have a modern Weller gun I bought not-long ago. I like the quick heat delivery, and it's dual-wattage choice. It's like having to grab the next-size hammer, just easier to do the job with the 'big gun.'
I have one that's probably 50+ years-old, it belonged to my father, but the case is still intact. I do have a modern Weller gun I bought not-long ago. I like the quick heat delivery, and it's dual-wattage choice. It's like having to grab the next-size hammer, just easier to do the job with the 'big gun.'
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byoungblood
Well-known member
Chassis grounds, large terminal lugs, anything that has a lot of thermal mass. Sometimes use it for desoldering when I just want to get something hot fast and don’t care too much about the component and/or circuit board.
Ever since a I got a soldering station I haven’t used my Weller gun. This is the one I got for soldering on my RC trucks.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/solderi...e-heat-range-us-warehouse.html?___store=en_us
I’ve had it for two years and it works awesome.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/solderi...e-heat-range-us-warehouse.html?___store=en_us
I’ve had it for two years and it works awesome.
That Weller 100/140 takes other tips like one that is great for cutting/fusing synthetic rope. There is another smoothing tip that is handy for plastic repairs. Back in the day, electronic stuff was a lot heavier and the gun was great for shields and buss bars.
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