Soldering iron troubles

[elemental]

So i am on my third soldering iron in six months!! They were all different brands and were all sub 30 dollars! The problem is is they will stop getting hot enough to melt the solder! I have cleaned the tips multiple times and still nothing!!

The only thing i can think of is that i keep them in my garage and it gets cold, but that seems like a stretch! Any thoughts or ideas??

 

[KKArioKA]

what the power of those irons ? in Watts ?

maybe theres nothing wrong with your iron, but with your soldering component, the lack of soldering gel, or your soldering skills.

i suggest you watch the soldering episode of FLITETEST.

 

[sandblaster]

elemental,

Go for this:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=19240

Cannot beat the price. Nice unit. A good chance you have held the trigger to long and burnt out the guns. Read the small print and one finds they are only to be on a few seconds at a time, and then have to cool. Called Duty Cycle.

 

[elemental]

i wasnt using a gun i was using a iron

 

[Revj Vegas]

I think this may be a case of you get what you pay for.

I too went through a couple different ones till I finally decided to just bite the bullet and get a decent one.

I have to say I am VERY pleased with the results I've been getting with my Hakko. And I really like being able to dial in the temp I want/need so I can work on heavy and light gauge stuff.

This is the one I got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M3U0VU/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

 

[fred0000]

i've been using a $15 hobbico 60w iron for 3 years now :s sounds like bad luck to me.

 

[jetpackninja]

paid 17 bucks or so for a propane soldering iron- haven't looked back
like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-019132-Micro-Pencil-Torch/dp/B00176IQFW