Soldering station/plastic welder

[Ro@drunner]

Here is a tool that I use quite often and is easily made. I use it to control the temperature of my $5 soldering iron so I can solder wire or circuit boards easily. I also use it to weld plastics and even run a transformer for my foam cutter.

It is constructed with a standard receptacle and a light dimmer. The top half is straight 120v for a dremel, light or similar tool. The bottom half is regulated voltage that I plug the soldering iron or transformer in to. The receptacle is split by breaking the tab in the middle that connects the top and bottom halves on the hot side.

[Ro@drunner]

Now that I have the picture posting sorted out. Here are a couple pics of the important bits to the project. One shows how its wired up and the the other shows where to break the tab to split the receptacle. It's important to note that the regulated output drives only resistive loads.

[Ed Weldon]

I've used my small soldering irons this way for ages. Works great. Two tips: First put a standard cover over those two receptacles even if you have to cut part of it away to fit. You don't want anything conductive to fall in through the gaps while it's sitting in a work area. Second, mark calibrations with a Sharpie on the dimmer dial to match temperature readings you takeoff the hot tip with your cheap Harbor Freight non contact thermometer. (Mine lives in the kitchen most of the time since I'm the "camp cook"). Ed Weldon

[DIYer]

Thanks Ro@drunner! We've added your Soldering Iron Controller to our Electrical category,
as well as to your builder page: Ro@drunner's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Soldering Iron Controller by Ro@drunner

tags: controller