Soldering Irons that quit working?

[SilverWolf]

I've read a lot of people use soldering irons to make their holes in plastic tubs. What I'm wondering is how do you keep them from breaking(stop heating) after the first use? I've bought 3 different ones that worked great the first time using them, but when I went to use them a second time they would not heat up at all. I will say the first two were on the cheaper side, but the last one wasn't and it still stopped heating on me. It's getting really annoying to say the least. Is there some little trick I'm not doing? Or did I just purchase three different bad soldering irons?

Any advice would be good! Thanks!

[Beardedragon]

IDK, I used one for a while but once I was in the middle of burning holes and it stopped on me.Id like to know at well.

[wilomn]

Must be the iron itself. I've got one I've been using for about 15 years. It's got to have poked at least 10,000 holes and still going strong.

[twh]

..........i had the same thing happen,cheap irons from menards.switched to drilling holes,faster and a cleaner look.have fun!

[Bruce Whitehead]

I will ask Jer tonight when I get home, he used to make stained glass, and he has explained to me whey they die when melting plastic.

I once made mistake of reaching for his soldering iron and was almost torn in half (reason I drill).

Something about the way the heat burns and distributes the heat actually kills the element rendering it useless... or something like that... (said like I have even a remote clue as to what I am talking about).

B

[SilverWolf]

Thanks for the replies and the advice! I've thought about drilling but the one time I did it, the plastic cracked. So what type of bit would work best?

[2kdime]

I bought one of these at Radio Shack a while back.

Works like a dream, just keep butane on hand, and a lighter.

Has lasted me close to 4 or 5 years.

http://www.zapwizard.com/car/moonroo...ering-iron.jpg

[DixiePythons]

Thanks for the replies and the advice! I've thought about drilling but the one time I did it, the plastic cracked. So what type of bit would work best?

I like burning the holes, I have a 8$ iron from wally world that is still going strong...
The larger tubs, I do drill to get larger holes... Use a high speed drill, and apply very very little pressure... Pushing on the drill is what cracks the plastic.

[2kdime]

Also make sure your using a HI-Speed Metal Bit.

Wood bits can be a little harsh, and can certainly crack plastic as well.

I like burning the holes, I have a 8$ iron from wally world that is still going strong...
The larger tubs, I do drill to get larger holes... Use a high speed drill, and apply very very little pressure... Pushing on the drill is what cracks the plastic.