I use Red's method except that I use a 30W Iron with one of the blunter pointed tips. I agree that the pencil or needle tip does not have enough mass to transfer the needed heat. Some of the most important items to remember are; keep the iron tip clean and well tinned, when you tin the connector tab leave a small blob of solder on the area of the tab that will contact the wire, the helping hands Red uses help a lot.

Charlie