Low-wattage soldering iron driving me crazy

[jjhammerstein]

My soldering iron is only 15W, and it doesn't seem to work. Solder doesn't even melt right away when I try to tin it. Should I get a higher wattage iron for my N64p?

[Tibia]

Yes. Try a 30W or even a 45W.

[Taiben]

I like a 45w iron. I find 15 is really only good for crap like wood burning.

[bicostp]

I like my Weller. 65 watts of metal-melting power. It's just a little tricky to do surface-mount parts.

45 watts is a good balance.

[eurddrue]

All I use is 15w cheapies, because I ruin my soldering irons quickly. I've never had problems, just use more flux.

[MegatronUK]

50w temperature controlled job here - they're not expensive and it's nice to have the ability to whack the temperature right up for heavy duty stuff and be able to turn it right down for delicate work.

[eurddrue]

So you have one of those soldering stations from the back of magazines like nuts and volts?

[jjhammerstein]

I'm convinced.

Why do they sell these useless low power ones anyway?

[XCVG]

I have a 25W Weller, and it works just fine. A little slow to heat up, but otherwise great.

Quality, not quantity.

[xtrmgam3r360]

I have the cheapest one RadioShack has, which is now a 45w model instead of the 30w, and it is a huge difference. If you do get the radioshack one though make sure you tighten the tip right away, mine was loose when I got it.

[jjhammerstein]

My 15W is from Radiohut, I tightened it. The grip gets really hot and changes colors, is that normal?

[vskid]

My 15W is from Radiohut, I tightened it. The grip gets really hot and changes colors, is that normal?

The plastic grip, or the metal that joins the plastic and the tip sections? The metal part isn't a grip, unless you enjoy pain. And the metal part of mine has changed colors, too.

[jjhammerstein]

The gray plastic/rubber grip pictured here:

Only, that's a desoldering iron. Same base though.

It turns brownish, and it's about 120º, give or take.

[ptj]

That's not right. Are you leaving it on for an extremely long time?

[jjhammerstein]

That's not right. Are you leaving it on for an extremely long time?

20 minutes?