Need help choosing soldering iron

[watercooled]

Bah just gone to do some soldering and the iron isn't getting hot enough to melt the solder! Can't really see what could be faulty in a soldering iron though, except that it's drawing about 15w at the wall, not 25...

[TAKTAK]

Bah just gone to do some soldering and the iron isn't getting hot enough to melt the solder! Can't really see what could be faulty in a soldering iron though, except that it's drawing about 15w at the wall, not 25...

Have you let the iron warm up?

[watercooled]

Yeah, for about 5 mins before I started then waited another 15 after that. I heard some strange popping/sparking noises for a few minutes after I first turned it on though not sure if it has anything to do with that...

[peterb]

Yeah, for about 5 mins before I started then waited another 15 after that. I heard some strange popping/sparking noises for a few minutes after I first turned it on though not sure if it has anything to do with that...

Not good I'd take it back. Don't forget to tin the bit as it warms up the first time you use a new bit.

[watercooled]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Got it replaced today, the new one seems fine.