Cold solder?

[jason1976]

Ok, so I have no training in electronics, but I can do a basic circuit, and basic stuff like that. Up until now, I've either twisted the wires together, and added some electrical tape, or used "Butt couplings". However, some of the projects I'm working on now, don't have the room for all that extra clutter in there. So, I'm looking for a strong, safe, inexpensive way to bond wires to each other, and metal surfaces.

I know I should solder them, but I don't see very wall (and I'm accident prone too) and I don't want to burn myself, or burn my place down, or destroy by projects, etc.

I've heard there is "cold solder" but is it any good, and if so, where do I get it? (preferably a store, I order online as little as possible. ) And, if that stuff sucks, what else should/could I use?

Thanks gang.
Jason

 

[Sidewalker]

I had the cold heat soldering iron and it sucked. You're much better off to get a real soldering iron and glasses.

 

[Robiwon]

I have one of the Cold Heat soldering irons as well. And yep, it sucks! It's too big and bulky. If you don't get good contacts on the irons two electrodes it wont do anything. I find myself using my butane soldering iron/torch more and more over my 40w pencil type. Grab yourself one of those "third hand" stand thingies with the alligator clips and big magnifyng glass on it. With care and patience and the right tools i'm sure you'll be able to handle simple soldering jobs.

 

[Contec]

Ok, so I have no training in electronics, but I can
I know I should solder them, but I don't see very wall (and I'm accident prone too) and I don't want to burn myself, or burn my place down, or destroy by projects, etc.

Reading this i got a mental picture of an itch in my eye and accidently putting the solder-iron into it....Ouch....

 

[Darth Lars]

There are conductive adhesives also.

My personal opinion, though, is that you should use an ordinary soldering iron and have a friend sit with you while you work, or to do the soldering for you.
Myself, I have messed things up using glue more times than with a soldering iron... :$

 

[Jaded Monk]

The one aspect the responses seem to be missing is that the OP was not asking about Cold heat soldering irons but cold soldering. What you are looking for is a conductive epoxy, sometimes known as wire glue. I am not sure of it's electrical properties, such as resistance, apart from being conductive, not really a concern when your circuits only involve lights, batteries and switches. You should be able to run a search on "wire glue," if you don't turn up any sources let me know. There are numerous websites, even Amazon.com.

Cheers,

JM

 

[Coz]

I use one of these - they're great for quick jobs, and are easy to use:

It's a battery powered soldering iron. Uses 3 AA batteries (good ones are best!). Replaceable tips in defferent sizes too.
Just flick the switch forward, and hold down the button for it to heat up - takes about 10 seconds to get hot enough to solder. As soon as you let go of the button, it starts to cool (I added a small rubber band to make things easier!). Thin solder works best, I've found, as it melts easier.
Great for desoldering circuit board components too.

I find it much more comfortable to use than a regular soldering iron, and safer too.

C.

 

[CessnaDriver]

If you go with hot solder, using flux goes a long way for beginners.
Helps things flow much better. Some solder has flux core, but if your a beginner that burns up pretty fast.

 

[jason1976]

You know, they need to make something like sculpy for electronics. You just mold a little tiny piece around the bare wire, lead, etc. and set it on a worm window ledge or something, and in a wile, you have a durable, safe, little coupling, for your project, no muss, no fuss.

Maybe when I said "I don't see so well" I soul have said "I'M LEGALLY BLIND". :lol
I have one of those helper 3rd hand things, and a soldering gun, but I really cant see what I'm doing with it.

A guy I used to know, used to take flexible shrink wrap tubes (like you find at radioshack), slide them over a piece of wire, twist his leads together, slide the wrap over the exposed wires, and heat it up, and it would shrink down to a nice tightfight. I've never tried it myself though. Do you think it would have any strength to it?

 

[Robiwon]

Heat shrinking twisted wires is better than just plain twisted wires. Make sure you use the smallest tubing to fit over the wire. Tubing that is too big won't shrink enough to cinch the wires down.

As far as soldering without heat with this "wire glue" well, here ya go.
http://www.wireglue.us/

 

[exoray]

Word of advice, take a few hours and learn how to solder with a tradition pencil iron, they are only about $10... It's not all that hard to get to a level of getting by...

In the end it will pay off...