DIY solder station

[rpaloalto]

I know this by no means, is a alternative to a true temperature control station.

I have been using my solder iron allot in the past few weeks. It gets hot, very hot if left plugged in, for long periods of time It's a weller 25W.
So I went to the hardware store and for $11, I was able to put together a small voltage control station. Just a small dimmer switch and a outlet receptacle. I then just mounted it in a plastic 2 gang outlet box. These are the boxes they use inside the wall.

I was a little disappointed to find out that this dimmer switch and most of the ones you will find at the hardware store don't actually decrease the voltage. Instead they rapidly pulse or cycle the curent on and off
HowStuffWorks "How Dimmer Switches Work"
Still this should help my iron from heating up too much. if not I can at least turn it on and off with ease

 

[ossumguywill]

excelent idea! If I had not gotten a station for my birthday, I would definitely do that!

 

[Flaminpyro]

pulsing the current on and of at different duty cycles (the knob ) will give you more or less amount of total current or HEAT.....

 

[Rob]

Wow, now that's certainly creative!

 

[billg519]

I do the same sort of thing with my 25 and 30 watt irons, except instead of a dimmer, I plug into my bench variac. This solution of yours is certainly a lot lighter in weight! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sk8trboipyro]

Nice, might need to try this out!