which soldering iron?

i use this iron http://doityourself.com/store/6854285.htm

and this solder http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKX34&P=ML

the iron works good for me....

The hotter the better.

I went through a number of soldering Irons and soldering guns before I bit the bullet and bought a Hakko soldering station. Best thing I ever did for electric RC. Its so convient and works everytime.

Here's the problem with some of those "cheap" soldering irons. They get up to temp, but the minute you put it on battery bars or something that draws the heat away from the iron, it doesn't stay hot and you wind up with cold joints or waiting forever for it to melt the solder if at all.

Units like the Hakko stations, use a good thermostat. It gets it up to temp, if it notices a draw and the temp, it cranks the heat up to keep the tip at the prescribed temp.

i just have a 100 watt and a 30 watt pen. the 100 watt is for things with more solder, and the pen is for smaller amounts and more precise.

For power cable soldering,battery bars soldering.At least a 45W unit.I use a Hakko and a cheapo ratShack 45W iron,for a sub $10 unit the 45W ratShack iron works great.

After some serious soldering you will need to replace the tip.I went thru two of there in a week,nonstop soldering for 4 hours.