[willne1]

I want to order a Hakko 936-12 from HMC Electronics and I need some help picking out a desoldering wick and some solder. I was thinking about this : Kester Solder SN63254466: Kester Wire Solder, Sn63/Pb37 Alloy, .025" Dia., #44 RA Flux, #66 Core Size, 1-lb. Roll, Kester P/N 24-6337-0018. Would that be alright or something else be better?

Thanks

 

[digger945]

I really like the smaller dia. solder, and currently use Rad Shack .015" 62/36/2 and love it because I have so much better control. I've been using a 1 ounce roll for quite some time now.
I purchased some Chem-Wik ROSIN SD braid a while back and have only used it once but it really did a lot better than the other stuff I have tried thus far.
Don't forget flux, I use Kester #186 type RMA and #951 no clean atm, both work great and come in pen form.
Also if your gonna work with small part you might consider a pair of tweezers, they are invaluable for teeny tiny parts, I like the plain straight ones better than curved.
And I can't stop before I mention cutters, I use a very small pair that are angled to make cutting leads after soldering a lot easier.
I could go on....sorry if your just in the market for a station only.

 

[willne1]

No..I appreciate the help. I'm a total newbie just trying to put a list together to bring my total up to $100.00 so I can get the free shipping on the station. I don't have anything right now other than helping hands and a vise. I need tweezers, solder, desoldering wick, maybe a pump, etc. If I'm missing something please let me know.

 

[SiBurning]

tips?

 

[willne1]

I've been reading that most are using the tip that comes with it 90% of the time.

 

[digger945]

Another tool I find useful is a lead forming tool. I forget exactly where I got both of mine, but I had to hunt around to get it with affordable shipping. I think I ordered something else with it, can't remember.
This is not something that's necessary, small needle nose pliers are just as effective.
The helping hands is another great tool on the bench.

 

[willne1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger945 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I really like the smaller dia. solder, and currently use Rad Shack .015" 62/36/2 and love it because I have so much better control. I've been using a 1 ounce roll for quite some time now. I purchased some Chem-Wik ROSIN SD braid a while back and have only used it once but it really did a lot better than the other stuff I have tried thus far. Don't forget flux, I use Kester #186 type RMA and #951 no clean atm, both work great and come in pen form. Also if your gonna work with small part you might consider a pair of tweezers, they are invaluable for teeny tiny parts, I like the plain straight ones better than curved. And I can't stop before I mention cutters, I use a very small pair that are angled to make cutting leads after soldering a lot easier. I could go on....sorry if your just in the market for a station only.

They have the Chem-Wik ROSIN SD braid at HMC Electronics. What size do you think I should get for all-around work?

 

[willne1]

How about these tweezers, anyone have experience with this brand? Miller 231CLA: Tweezer with Serrated Inside Points

 

[keyid]

I also use mostly the default tip, except couple times for smd soldering I changed the tip to the thinner one. The default tips works good for smd too. Other stuff I get from radioshack, except for some silver solder I occasionally use for silver wire and to it show off

 

[SiBurning]

I used to have a tool that bent the leads in a way that put a c shaped bend where it would stick through the circuit board. Better versions of the tool bent them in a rectangular shape so the bit of lead that went through the hole went through perfectly parallel with the hole. Very handy to hold parts on the board while soldering, although it didn't quite hold parts steady--they'd still rock side to side. Can't find anything like that these days.

 

[Pars]

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger945 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Another tool I find useful is a lead forming tool. I forget exactly where I got both of mine, but I had to hunt around to get it with affordable shipping. I think I ordered something else with it, can't remember. This is not something that's necessary, small needle nose pliers are just as effective. The helping hands is another great tool on the bench.

Thanks. I've been looking for one of those.

To the OP:
I find that the 0.025 solder is kind of thin in my opinion for general use. I like the old roll of 0.031 I have better (other than it is 60/40 instead of 63/37). I also use the stock tip on my Hakko the most. I have a small screwdriver tip that I use for SMD, as well as a larger screwdriver tip that I use for cables, large ground plane connections, etc.

 

[luvdunhill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pars /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks. I've been looking for one of those.

Chris:

PartsConnexion also sells them in the "Solder, Tools and Cleaners" section.

 

[digger945]

Quote:

Originally Posted by willne1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif They have the Chem-Wik ROSIN SD braid at HMC Electronics. What size do you think I should get for all-around work?

I got the .030 thinking it would be easier to heat up. Just below the "Size .030" on the roll it says "2-5L".

 

[digger945]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pars /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks. I've been looking for one of those.

I don't think I ordered from the link I gave. IIRC it was a company based in California, but I found this page with all 3 tools at a price that I kinda remember. The website may have changed, I didn't end up getting all 3 tools just the two red ones. I might order the aqua tool with some of the Kester 245 no clean .031 15gram sample and see how it works.

 

[willne1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger945 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I got the .030 thinking it would be easier to heat up. Just below the "Size .030" on the roll it says "2-5L".

Do you think i need a pump or will the wick do?