Which iron do I need?

[SrC]

Always Pre-Tin a new Tip.

 

[Senton_Prime]

Well shoot, we should of followed suit with Tesla.. damn it Edison!!

Thanks for the info

Only available in 110/120v unfortunately.

 

[kratonwatch]

some will scoff at this, but I successfully soldered QS8 connectors to my batteries recently with the 40w weller you already have. My wires were 6 or 6.5mm, so not the 8mm wires, but I did have to fill the cups with solder. Sure, the iron cooled down when I went into the cup, but literally a few seconds later I was melting solder in the cup no problem. I didn’t burn anything except my fingers once or twice.

Having a powerful iron will help OP, but if you don’t manage the heat you’ll cook your stuff no matter what. I’d invest in some wire and connectors to practice on as well as a bit of cheap insurance

Just my 2c

Always Pre-Tin a new Tip.

I got tip tinner and it’s an absolute game changer IMO.

https://a.co/d/bJS8haN

 

[Warby]

I’m gonna say buy a digital soldering station for sure. I have a super inexpensive one that just works a treat. 900° for QS8’s or bullets makes the job perfect in seconds. And it regains heat very quickly. I feel you will struggle with a 60 watt iron, it’s right on the border of being able to get the job done. It sounds counterintuitive but if you solder a QS8 at 850-900° it puts much less heat into the connector itself and prevents the cables from conducting dangerous temps back into the ESC or battery. That’s because you’re making the connection very, very quickly rather than keeping a lower temperature iron on it for far longer to get the job done.
A decent station and this specific solder will make you look like a hero and save a lot of frustration. The items below will have you looking like a pro with a little practice.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RVMZNYR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X4KS7O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR49JY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008ZIV85A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

some will scoff at this, but I successfully soldered QS8 connectors to my batteries recently with the 40w weller you already have. My wires were 6 or 6.5mm, so not the 8mm wires, but I did have to fill the cups with solder. Sure, the iron cooled down when I went into the cup, but literally a few seconds later I was melting solder in the cup no problem. I didn’t burn anything except my fingers once or twice.

Having a powerful iron will help OP, but if you don’t manage the heat you’ll cook your stuff no matter what. I’d invest in some wire and connectors to practice on as well as a bit of cheap insurance

Just my 2c

I got tip tinner and it’s an absolute game changer IMO.

https://a.co/d/bJS8haN

On the subject of flux, I've been using Kester Liquid Soldering Flux in a pen. It's a game changer. Makes soldering fun. Only issue with the pen is it seems to evaporate when not in use. I may have to buy a bottle of Kester fluid.

I do have a old bottle of "Baker's" soldering fluid but I'm not sure how old it is or if it's the right stuff for electrical wiring. I've only seen it used for brazing.

 

[RCSteve]

Want a soldering iron for life? Get a Metcal. Can’t afford that? Check out this at Amain. These irons use Currie tip tech which allows a 40w iron dump heat like it is 120w and heat up almost instantly. I use the one in the link and have multiple tips. I’ve soldered 15-20 pairs of QS8s and it works excellent!

+1 for using Kester solder, that stuff is some of the best and have been using it since I was 6 years old, literally!

 

[Bustedaw11]

Well shoot, we should of followed suit with Tesla.. damn it Edison!!

I feel like you know a little history.
Edison was an idiot compared to Tesla. Just my opinion.

 

[Warby]

So bought this 80w 230v 900F Weller iron yesterday from my local hardware store for a good price. It has a huge 10mm chisel tip, which is probably a bit overkill but should hold its heat better.

 

[Jerold]

I use a Hakko fx-888d. It's a 70W station and is completely overkill for small connectors.

The nice thing with most solder stations vs solder irons is the ability to dial in the temperature. The Wattage rating is what allows it to heat quickly and maintain the heat. The Wattage is the max Wattage used and NOT typically adjustable.

 

[Otp3]

Want a soldering iron for life? Get a Metcal. Can’t afford that? Check out this at Amain. These irons use Currie tip tech which allows a 40w iron dump heat like it is 120w and heat up almost instantly. I use the one in the link and have multiple tips. I’ve soldered 15-20 pairs of QS8s and it works excellent!

+1 for using Kester solder, that stuff is some of the best and have been using it since I was 6 years old, literally!

I have been soldering for longer than my rc hobby 2003 ish, and I have to agreed that nothing beats metcal/oki, like Steve said, the currie tech just works. And the watt is messured at the tip usually, not the heating element. Like car hp at the crank, or the wheels. Mine is 90w power but 60w at the tip, can hold a large volume(like a bowl) floating with lead free tin just by sticking the tip in it a few moments. And I have used it for well over 10 years and still works like new.