The Hodaka Club Forum

I think it was Ed that told us we need a good hot soldering iron to do a quick solder without melting. The old heavy ones you heat with a torch do a quick solder. The little solder guns loose the heat quickly and you may not have them hot enough. Anyways here is a six foot long partial picture of hoarder Clarence's. I did not take pictures of the big ones.

So Clarence, can we play "American Picker"? I'd like to get my hands on one of those old fashioned soldering irons - one without a handle would be fine. I'm semi-handy with wood working and could fashion a handle out of some wood from a an old Hodaka Parts crate or something. Huh, huh, can I? Huh?
Ed

Dang. Did he say "hoarder" or "luddite" ?

It could cost a cup of coffee. If serious, what diameter and tip length?-----Clarence

It could cost a cup of coffee. If serious, what diameter and tip length?-----Clarence

Um, anything which is considerably larger and with much more thermal mass than a 40 Watt Weller soldering gun tip. So, if I were to take a SWAG (Scientific Wild A_ _ Guess) - how about something 5/8" to 1" in diameter and 1" to 2" long for the "business end"? How about a cup of coffee and a doughnut? (or several cups of coffee and doughnuts!)

Ed

PS: I've been wandering thru antique malls for years looking for one of those soldering irons. All I hear is, "Yeah, I've seen those . . . but there aren't any in the shop now."

Find an Iron that a Stained Glass worker would use.

Ah, that's what they're for! I've got my Dad's old one and I thought it was for jousting. Live and learn.

Maxie

I've got one that I've used for soldering steel tanks along with other larger soldering jobs. Works great for such things. I used to heat it with my oxy/acet torch but I've given up my bottles since the cost of a contract went stupid.
What do you all use to heat this type of iron?

Ken

Thrownchain - I think I've found an iron like a stained glass window builder would use . . . and Clarence has a table full of 'em!

I plan on using a propane torch or MAPP gas to heat the soldering iron.
Ed

Go to ebay and look under antique soldering irons, there's a few there for under $15.

"There We go Again" Don't go to ebay just Clarence. You should see my collection of pogo sticks not really.-----Clarence

Clarence,

Are you going to do the "old man going west by southwest" to attend Hodaka Days this year? If so, would you pick out one of those soldering irons without a handle (I'll make a handle) for a coffee and doughnut trade?

Ed

You bet and if for some reason i can't, I will send it to you.----------Clarence

AwwwlllRiiiigghhtt! And if it should happen that you don't get to Hodaka Days, I already have a plan for sending you a good cup of coffee (and probably a doughnut too!)

Ed

So Clarence arrived in the park at Hodaka Days and gave me a quiz. He said something like, "I brought 3 of the old soldering irons. Which one of these three would you choose for soldering the wires on a Hodaka condenser?" It only took a second to pick one . . . and Clarence agreed that I had a made a right and proper selection. Big enough to pack the heat needed for the job, but not so big as to be clunky or hard to handle if the condenser replacement is being done with the engine in the bike. I love it when a plan comes together! Thanks Clarence!
Ed