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Soldering iron

post #1 of 46
6/26/08 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys - what soldering iron do you think i should get if i wanted to start rolling opamps in something like a D2 boa? Preferrably a battery one I guess.

would that iron be good enough to also eventually try my hand at interconnects?

Also, if I do start soldering opamps etc what solder do i need?

Lastly, how do you clear melted solder away??? will it come ina soldering iron kit - like some sort of sucker???

I never did electronics at school
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post #2 of 46
6/26/08 at 10:55am
There's a lot of info here. They're clips from expert village and helped me quite a lot. All you questions should be clear after those clips.

I too want to learn how to solder for the same reason. I also want to hotrod my x-fi one day so I got myself an iron that is capable of high temperatures since the x-fi board takes away all the heat. But AFAIK, a pro iron isn't really necessary; a cheaper one will do just as nice.

I'll keep my eye on this thread. Might learn something
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post #3 of 46
6/26/08 at 11:17am
tangent from the forums here has done up a great set of videos at his website that go over soldering & electronics techniques and equipment.

ladyada also has some information at her site too, with some kits put together for you in different price ranges and recommendations for all the common tools you'll want. Her projects aren't really applicable here, but there's some good info around her site. She doesn't seem to like desoldering braid - I highly recommend you grab some of this too, it's cheap and indispensible.

Oh and just in case you don't get it from either of the above sources (they both mention it), don't get a battery powered soldering iron! They're pretty much useless for everything. A decent wall powered one can be had for less than $20.
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post #4 of 46
6/26/08 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
yeah, discovered battery was a nono shortly after i posted.

Found a cheap temperature controlled kit - 50W - £30 or $60. Includes stand, sponge, solder and iron. Might have to get small tips for $10.
total - $70

Cheapest iron i found was something for $10 - 25W.
Then add $10 for sponge and stand. Non replaceable tips, no control over temps, no mention of current leakage.
$20

other options include:
25W mains iron + stand + sponge+ solder for $40. Plus tips $20.
18W is same price. Both low current leakage
$60!!!!

De solder pump - $18.

So if i go ahead the cheapest i could get away with is $38.
Most expensive is $88!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
$78 is middle option
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post #5 of 46
6/26/08 at 12:02pm
I got this:



It's a 60Watter capable of going to a temperature of 400 degrees celsius. Also got the pump showed on the picture.
It was in a combo for 20EU shipped to my address

Don't know whether or not it's a good one. I have no experience and I didn't use it yet.
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post #6 of 46
6/26/08 at 12:40pm
You're in the UK too, so ........

I got one of these for £32 ......... Excellent.

Aoyue 937+ Soldering Station
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post #7 of 46
6/26/08 at 1:07pm
I have the Aoyue 936, its excellent.
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post #8 of 46
6/26/08 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
It's a bit big though - was looking for a quite small compact setup i could easily roll away. I don't actually have a spot for a proper 'workbench' since I'm still with parents

Although it does look quite impressive and cheap for the 936 - I wouldn't need the extra features of the 937+.

What tips do they come with??? couldn't see on teh page and manual.
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post #9 of 46
6/26/08 at 7:08pm
$18 for a de-soldering pump. Hah! I almost never use mine, and you can get away with just braid for pretty much everything. The pump is useless for small stuff too.
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post #10 of 46
6/26/08 at 7:30pm
Thread Starter 
That's better - the braid is only $7 here.

Went into homebase - 40W simple soldering iron was $32!!!!!! No control, no stand, no specs on leakage or mentioning of tip size. Non replaceable tip too!!!!
$5 for a tiny amount of solder in a tube. $10 for a bigger reel.

OMGZORZ.

What tips do people use for opamps?? simple 0.5mm conical?
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post #11 of 46
6/26/08 at 9:21pm
I use the Weller WLC100. Got it for $40 + a new tip for ~$4. So far I've made cables, recabled my SR60's and the amps in my sig. Bought it from a local Fry's.
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post #12 of 46
6/26/08 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 
Do they sell Weller in the uk??? it looks perfect tbh.
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post #13 of 46
6/26/08 at 9:54pm
I did repair for about 7years and always used a chisel tip....they last longer and are excellent for desoldering with solder wick. You have to be careful when soldering a component because the heat will lift a trace if held in place too long. It takes alot of practice to get the feel. I always liked something in the 30 watt range...you van get a good iron from radio shack but I always liked Weller irons instead. For desoldering I liked Chemwick braided in the widest gauge available. Be careful desoldering because that wick heats up pretty quick and you will burn your fingertips if the are too close to the component.
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post #14 of 46
6/27/08 at 2:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris_ah1 View Post
Do they sell Weller in the uk??? it looks perfect tbh.
Yes, but they're quite expensive.

I also have one of these: Rapid Electronics - 20W Soldering iron with fitted mains plug
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post #15 of 46
6/27/08 at 7:28am
Thread Starter 
I think i found a copy or rebadged weller on ebay in the uk - 8 to 40W variable - same picture as a weller unit. Not sure if i trust it. £20 all in.

rapidonline looks like a good site - thanks.
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