Soldering Irons

I am wondering what's a good soldering iron that's not too expensive. Any ideas or links?

Thanks,

-Amy

Is it just going to be for melting holes in tubs or are you actually going to use it for soldering? I personally only have one for melting holes in tubs and I picked mine up at the dollar store...

Just for holes. I have no other uses for it. I don't know why I don't have one now. It would have been much simpler with making tarantula enclosures instead of using a burning hot nail. lol

I didn't even know they sold them at the dollar store! wow. I better check that out.

I personally just used a drill with a sharp hole drilling bit. Granted it's not used for plastic, but meant for wood, it's worked for me. I got via christmas present, so I just didn't spend the money for something else.

Do note, I filed down any sharp or non-smooth edges and cleaned the tub deeply when done drilling.

I used a serrated knife with a very sharp point to make holes in my tub. -shrugs- It's a lot more work than a drill or soldering iron because you have to twist the knife around to dig it in and make the hole and then go to the other side to even out the hole and clean it up, but it works just fine. Though once you make about 50 (and counting) holes in the tub you get really good at it.

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Originally Posted by Inarikins

I used a serrated knife with a very sharp point to make holes in my tub. -shrugs- It's a lot more work than a drill or soldering iron because you have to twist the knife around to dig it in and make the hole and then go to the other side to even out the hole and clean it up, but it works just fine. Though once you make about 50 (and counting) holes in the tub you get really good at it.

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You sound really devoted. lol I don't think I would do that. I'd probably cut a hole in my hand. Soldering iron sounds much better. =) Plus as my tarantulas grow I can just keep soldering holes in their enclosures! no biggie. Same with the snake.

I saw one at home depot for about $20 but it had a bad review, only one though. It was battery powered. They were using it for big stuff though.

You can get a cheap one for about 5-10 bucks at Radioshack.

I use a sturdy hot glue gun to melt holes. Takes a while, but it cost me $0 in extra tools if you have it around the house already.

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

You sound really devoted. lol I don't think I would do that. I'd probably cut a hole in my hand. Soldering iron sounds much better. =) Plus as my tarantulas grow I can just keep soldering holes in their enclosures! no biggie. Same with the snake.

I saw one at home depot for about $20 but it had a bad review, only one though. It was battery powered. They were using it for big stuff though.

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Well the only soldering iron in the house I couldn't use and I seriously hurt myself trying to use drills, so I risked gouging a hole in my hand with a knife. Plus, I can use a knife to make holes at 2 AM while a drill is too noisy.

I would go with the soldering iron. I'll finish making holes with the knife just so it's all the same and it doesn't bug me.

Weller makes great soldering irons. You can get them at home depot, maybe even radio shack for $15.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

I personally just used a drill with a sharp hole drilling bit. Granted it's not used for plastic, but meant for wood, it's worked for me. I got via christmas present, so I just didn't spend the money for something else.

Do note, I filed down any sharp or non-smooth edges and cleaned the tub deeply when done drilling.

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I did the same thing, used a drill and it worked fine. Went right through the plastic. Instead of filing it down I just used a lighter to melt the edges of the holes and smoothed it out with my finger while the plastic was still soft.

Walmart for $5

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http://www.harborfreight.com/30-watt...ron-47887.html

What Zombie said. Walmart for $5
I've used mine to put holes into tubs and solder flexwatt.