Best Soldring Iron?

[darthmunky]

I decided it's time to get a soldering iron but there are a bunch of different types and sizes. What's the best kind to get for game and console repairs? What about soldering guns? Any help will be appreciated, thanks!

[Jamisonia]

I started out using a cheap radio shack iron, but then I bought this:



Highly recommended. Works very well, and has a wide selection of different tip sizes. Despite the name professional, this isn't really a pro soldering iron, its more like a prosumer. Tip wise for this iron there are at least 3 tips you may find helpful.

Here are the tips:

http://www.tselectronic.com/shop/produc ... -Tips/1151

The ST3 it comes with and ST4 are the larger tips. They are helpful for doing large work, especially when using soldering wick to desolder large joints you may find on PCB boards. The ST1, ST2 or ST8 can be good for through hole soldering, sort of a person preference thing, and the ST5, ST6, and ST7 are great for Surface Mount soldering, again which one you get is personal preference. I recommend you get at least one larger tip, one medium tip, and on smaller tip. Tip size will make a huge difference in how easy soldering is, and the cheaper irons tend to have only one ore two tip sizes.

Soldering guns are unsuitable for electronic work. They are intended for soldering pipes and doing other large projects.

Now if you're really trying to go pro, you need to look at Weller's line of soldering stations. Those allow for adjustable temperatures.

[Niode]

Weller are one of the best soldering iron brands in the world. Expensive but definitely worth it. I have a Weller station, can't fault it.

[gtmtnbiker]

Here are some good recommendations for you darthmonkey.

[Nemoide]

I'm just getting into soldering myself. The biggest point is probably to make sure it's 25-30 watts and that you're using the correct type of solder (60/40 I think).

You should also practice before trying to mod a console or working with batteries or something. I've been digging the kits at Radio Shack -- they even have a build-your-own Pong kit!

[BRIK]

I've always just used my Dad's hobby iron which is a 25 watt. Dunno what the tip size is, but it works a charm.

[Jontendo]

25-30 watts seems about right for small electronics.

* Practice a lot to get a feel for it.
* Aim to make the best-looking (and functional) solder joints in the least amount of time (heating for too long can damage components and lift pads).
* And maintain your soldering tip to best achieve the above (a dry wire sponge instead of wet standard one is recommended).

[jinn]

I use GOOT and HAKKO Soldering Irons

http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoN454.html

[Jamisonia]

25W is definitely about right. With cheaper irons you may not think so though, because they do not get as hot as quickly, and its easy to think that wattage is proportional to temperature. Its not. Wattage is really more of a value of how long the iron can hold heat when pressed to an object like a PCB board. For electronics you do not need a lot of wattage. Too high and you'll end up burning the board, and pulling up pads and traces. Fixing that is not very fun.

[septimus]

Recently purchased a Hakko FX 888 and have been very happy with it. I use two different tips with it... one for leaded solder, and the other for lead free solder.

Lead poisoning is no joke, handle the 60/40 stuff with care. The symptoms of poisoning are so subtle (at first) and get worse over time.

Consider picking up a tip tinner as well it will make life easier.