Antex soldering iron.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

My homemade solder/desolder station uses a pair of Antex TC50 low voltage temperature controlled irons. The electronics are a rip off of the one Maplin did as a kit in the '90s. I can select either iron with a switch - they have the two commonest size bits I use, and that saves having to change bits.

The element in one has failed. Doesn't owe me anything considering the use it gets.

Searched all the usual places - including Antex - and no spare elements available.

But both CPC and Rapid have the complete iron for under 30 quid inc. Farnell too but over 40 exc.

The Antex site seems to charge about 14 quid for mains elements and about

40 for low voltage temperature controlled ones - but didn't have the exact one.

So 30 quid for a complete iron seems a bit of a bargain to me. I've ordered up two - which should see me out. ;-)

[Nick Odell]

I feel the same about Weller soldering irons and just bought a new 40w iron to complement the 25w model I've had for decades. Nothing wrong with the 25w - it's fine for most circuit boards - but I thought I'd splash out on something with a bit more oomph for soldering earth connections to pots, etc. I don't do anything like the amount of soldering that I expect you do but recently I had a whole batch of electric guitars which all came back from a school with the electrics loose and wires broken and it was worth having both irons at the ready just for them.

Nick

[Mike Barnes]

When I replaced by 1960s 15W mains voltage Antex iron I was disappointed to find that the lead had got much fatter and stiffer (ooh er missus). No doubt it's improved insulation, all in my best interests etc, but I preferred it limp.

[Andy Burns]

I think you have to pay extra to get one with silicone flex rather than PVC flex, the former is melt-proof.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yes. The one I'm referring to comes with a silicone flex. Essential on such a light weight iron - which is what I first liked about it. Most others seem clumsy after you've got used to Antex.

[Mike Barnes]

Thanks for that, I'll get one with the silicone flex. I hadn't read anything to suggest that as well as being heat-proof, it's more flexible.

[spuorgelgoog]

melt-*resistant*

DAMHIKT

Owain

[Mike Barnes]

OKIW :-)

[Bob Eager]

I paid extra and got the silicone lead.

[Andy Burns]

Yes, after posting I did wonder if anyone would pull me up on that

One of mine has a damaged section where you can see the inner insulation ...

I know someone still using one of those Antex 1970's "my first soldering iron" the other day, remember them? curved perspex box, little spool of solder, couple of bits and a tweezer/heatsink thingy? He still had the cardboard sleeve.

Here's another example

[whisky-dave]

It's, actually heat-resistant silicone cable.

I buy this for the lab for extra safety. We use the SD50 stations.

I also buy the lead free bits even though we use leaded solder as I find the lead free bits retain the heat better and tend to last longer and are easier to clean with my prefered tip cleaner.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Bought my first Antex - a 15w mains one - in the early 60s. After getting fed up with the then 'standard' small iron - a Henley Solex 25w - for electronics. Modern Antex are still pretty close to that original - which shows what a good design it was. Although the modern elements last a lot longer. ;-)

[meow2222]

Looks quite modern.

NT

[HarpingOn]

Blimey that's some memory.

I had exactly that perspex and blue box. Wow.

I had some grand electronics teachers when I was growing up. My uncle was a radar engineer, and gave me big bag 'o bits when I was small. Capacitors, resistors, all kinds. All mixed up. Sorted them. Then I learned colour bands by a totally inappropriate mnemonic. Built loads of stuff with them. Would have been the late 70s, I was 8 or 9 then. My dad's best friend was an electronics genius [my memory]. I learned amplifier design, and most of my diagramming and layout skills from him.

Building expansion port projects for the Commodore 64 out of DIL relays and triacs on veroboard was my childhood electronics zenith. I made a

240v mains disco lighting rig using triacs, and 8 lights, driven by sound to light using the analog inputs on the 9 pin joystic ports to pick up the sound. Good times.

I think about getting my boy interested in electronics, but then I think what's the point? Discreet stuff with flip flops, transitors, transformers etc. just what would you use that for from 2014 onwards?

Might try him with a spring terminal kit this year though. He's 7.

[John Williamson]

If nothing else, it might teach him that complicated and digital is not always necessary.

If you can find a job for them, Vellerman kits are good for teaching about simple things, as you end up with something at least vaguely useful, and he'll not be afraid to try to repair stuff.

[meow2222]

Its still doable to have things he'd not have otherwise by doing repairs to discarded goods. Also make buzzer games, fancy lighting, a 1920s style radio, computer speakers etc.

NT

[D.M.Chapman]

Hah, much the same here :-) C=64 and bits of veroboard with the paper maplin catalogue as reference along with old random electronics stuff picked up from jumble sales took much of my spare time as a kid :-)

Got my son one of these

a few years ago (I think he was 7 at the time). Not bad for the basics, he certainly enjoyed it.

Move on to arduino and/or pi stuff if interested?

Darren

[tony sayer]

For a bit of a joke I bought a young lady a radio kit sometime ago, shes now starting an electrical Eng. degree at Uni..

So be careful where it leads....

[Andrew Gabriel]

My father still has his Henley Solex 25w, which is what I learned to solder with. Once you have learned to make good solder joins with that, you can solder with anything, including a screwdriver heated up on the gas stove.

Father's is on its second bit, which is full of corroded holes ;-) I rather suspect it was just a piece of copper rod he found somewhere, as it's a rather loose fit in the holder. I never saw the original bit.

[meow2222]

I've got a few of that era, with bits made from various copper/brass scrap. Occasionally theyre still useful.

I'va also got the non-electric predecessors. I pity anyone doing electronics with those.

NT