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Soldering Irons & Solder

Mercury soldering tools here cover mains soldering irons, a 48W replacement iron for soldering stations, lead-free solder wire, flux, and the tools for taking solder off again: a desoldering pump and copper desoldering braid. A bench top holder with a bit cleaning sponge holds a hot iron safely. Pick the iron for the work first, then the solder and flux to suit it.

Choosing Soldering Irons & Solder

Choose an iron for the work, then the solder, flux and desoldering tools to go with it.

Soldering irons

The 700.744UK is a compact 30W mains soldering iron for trade, DIY and hobbyist use, with a 1.2m power cable, a sealed mains plug and a stand. The 700.744UK reaches operating temperature in around 10 minutes and then holds a stable, constant heat. The 703.260UK switchable iron, set to 20W or 130W, has a ceramic element for quick heating, high temperature stability and long life, and is also supplied with a stand.

Replacement iron for soldering stations

The 703.054UK is a 48W replacement iron with a 5-pin DIN plug, suitable for a wide range of soldering stations that use a 5-pin DIN connection. The 703.054UK ceramic element gives a temperature range of 160-480°C, the bit fits directly onto the element to minimise thermal loss, and the lead is heat-resistant silicone.

Solder and flux

Mercury lead-free solder is 99.3% tin and 0.7% copper with 2.2% flux, melts at 227°C and makes a virtually permanent joint for maintenance and repairs to connectors. It comes as 1.0mm wire in 50g (703.450UK) and 250g (703.456UK), and as 0.6mm wire in a 10g, 5.0m length (703.459UK). The 703.003UK tin holds 30g of flux, used to prevent dry joints and oxidisation.

Desoldering and holding the iron

To remove solder, the 700.990UK desoldering pump has a heat resistant PTFE Teflon nozzle, and the 703.004UK is a miniature pop-open reel of 1.0mm copper braid that soaks up solder and cleans soldering points on a PCB. The 700.775UK bench top holder is all metal, holds a hot iron to help avoid accidental contact and has a bit cleaning sponge.

JobProductDetail
Trade, DIY and hobby joints700.744UK30W, stand included
Two power settings703.260UK20W or 130W, ceramic element
Station replacement iron703.054UK48W, 5-pin DIN plug
Thin solder wire703.459UK0.6mm, 10g
Clearing a joint703.004UK1.0mm copper braid

Related categories

Soldering sits within hand tools, alongside wire strippers and crimpers and the wider tools and installation supplies range. The full Mercury range has its own page, and there are more articles in our help and support blog.

Brands we stock in Soldering Irons & Solder

Mercury.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mercury lead-free solder made of?

Mercury lead-free solder is 99.3% tin (Sn) and 0.7% copper (Cu) with 2.2% flux, and it melts at 227°C. It makes a conductible, virtually permanent joint for maintenance and repairs to connectors. The 703.450UK and 703.456UK are 1.0mm wire in 50g and 250g, and the 703.459UK is 0.6mm wire in a 10g, 5.0m length.

How long does the 30W soldering iron take to heat up?

The Mercury 700.744UK reaches operating temperature in around 10 minutes and then keeps a stable and constant heat. It is a compact mains iron for trade, DIY and hobbyist use, fitted with a 1.2m power cable and a sealed mains plug, and it is supplied with a stand. Simply plug it in to prepare it for use.

Will the 48W replacement iron fit my soldering station?

It suits a wide range of soldering stations that use a 5-pin DIN connection, so check that your station takes a 5-pin DIN iron before fitting it. The Mercury 703.054UK has a 5-pin DIN plug, a ceramic heating element giving 160-480°C, a bit fitted directly to the element and a heat-resistant silicone lead.

Should I use a desoldering pump or desoldering braid?

Use the pump for removing excess solder and the braid for soaking up solder and cleaning soldering points on a PCB. The 700.990UK pump has a heat resistant PTFE Teflon nozzle, and the 703.004UK braid is 1.0mm copper on a miniature pop-open reel. When you resolder, flux such as the 703.003UK helps prevent dry joints and oxidisation.

What is soldering flux for?

Flux prevents dry joints and oxidisation in the soldering process. The Mercury 703.003UK is a tin containing 30g of solder flux. The lead-free solder wires here, the 1.0mm 703.450UK and 703.456UK and the 0.6mm 703.459UK, already contain 2.2% flux and melt at 227°C.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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