Different soldering iron wattages have completely different uses and purposes.

A GOOD electronics range is about 25-45 watts.

This helps to prevent damage to circuitry, but it will not eliminate it entirely.


Soldering GUNs and higher wattage irons should be reserved for mechanical assemblies such as soldering in clevises.

Different types of solder (which also have different temp/melting ranges, flux, etc. ) are also used for each of these purposes.


Some Loews and Home Depots sell Weller type irons. These tend to be a bit better than the typical hardware store fare.

If you go this route, look for an iron that also includes a "base" with a receptacle for the iron, sponge pad, and if possible a knob to control the temperature.

I purchased an orange color Weller ( and I have a bunch of pro-class Weller irons, soldering stations, desoldering workstations, etc. ) that had a temperature control base and it was specifically set up to accept standard knife tips.

This is very nice for cutting covering as well as all the standard uses. If I recall it cost me all of about 35.00 or so.