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the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
 Posted - 07/10/2008 : 22:25:49
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Please excuse me if this is off topic, but it seems a logical place to post this thread.
I've been ready for some time to purchase a unit and start dinking around & the time is just about ripe. This will be used for pedal & rack projects (DIY & mods), amp work (hopefully not too soon), & guitar guts.
I've been leaning towards Weller WES51. I'm about 15 years out of the loop on soldering so any advice is helpful. Also, other than a stock tip, which tips have you found to be helpful or a "must have" in your arsenal.
Dr. Bob & Laurie, please weigh in. You both seem to be gearheads that are "in the know".
Thanks in advance for your replies. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2008 : 23:35:39
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The Weller WES51 is a decent choice for starters. 50-watts is a bit much for component-level soldering so keep the heat setting no higher than about half way up the scale. If you're soldering cables & plugs, the higher heat settings will be fine.
Tips:
1. Use the right solder, the two most common alloys are 60/40 Sn/Pb and 63/37 Sn/Pb used principally in electrical work; RoHS lead-free is fine but usually has a higher melting-point, the electronics industry has been gradually shifting from rosin flux to water-soluble flux which can be removed with deionised water but non-flux solder is just fine as well.
2. Heat the work, not the solder.
3. Clean your tips often! Sometimes I use a file as necessary.
4. Use a small clip-on heat sink for delicate components.
5. I find some desoldering wicks ineffective so be sure to have a suction bulb on hand.
6. I typically use a small fan to gently blow fumes away from my face.
7. Creating ideal solder joints comes easy with practice, you may consider a hobby vise with alligator clips to assist you in keeping the work steady.
Good luck!  |
Edited by - DeFrag on 07/10/2008 23:39:26 |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2008 : 10:53:41
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| A Weller station is always a safe bet. They're reliable and you can always find new tips or other replacement parts. I used to have a no name brand but had to replace it with because I couldn't find new tips for it. With the Weller I bought a few years back I never have that problem. |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2008 : 19:15:39
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| I third the Weller station... I have had a WTCP station for over 20 years. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 09:27:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
I third the Weller station... I have had a WTCP station for over 20 years.
Hi the-destructor
Weller is good.
I beat Laurie's, one of my Weller's is pushing around 30 years plus.
Hakko 936 is good as well, & has been around for a long time,
and reasonably priced, even here in OZ.
In one of my daily roles;
I'm responsible for all our engineering & production tooling, orders & maintenance, I would stick with big brand names, even if you pay a few dollars more.
In the long run, you will still get tips & spares for the brand names
One of my Weller series, is as old as Noah himself, same goes for the Hakk0 936,
we use Pace as well.
Pick a budget & find an iron to fit.
Buy a few tips NOW, they will last you many many years.
Get a thin, medium, & a heavier one, to cove most jobs.
Buy some Chemtronics Solder wick.
(I won't use any other brand, I've tested hundreds of diff. brands), & a good quality hand-held de-soldering sucker,
if you're going to be doing lots of mods or other jobs.
The Weller TC series have a slightly thicker handles than the Hakko's
but not by much, I have, & like both.
Pace is also good brand, if you're in the USA.
Too expensive on parts out here in Oz.
Stay away from cheap irons, they do more damage than work.
And in a year or so, you won't be able to get tips or spares.
And the handles get way too hot on many of the cheapies, that some of my friends have.
Regards Dr. Bob
3366
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 08/13/2008 15:55:45 |
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Racer X
Silver Member
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 11:37:32
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I have used the Edsyn LONER for 16 years now. Pencil style, adjustable from 500 to 800 degrees f. Never had a problem.
I love the dang thing. |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 15:17:11
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Just thought I'd share a story, that on a whim I bought a soldering iron from a dollar store, for you guess it, a dollar. the thing had a red plastic handle, and yes I got to use it one-time, because the thing got so hot the iron heated right through the red plastic handle and fell to the ground (luckily while it was at rest). Not that I haven't had a good injury from a soldering iron. My first soldering iron, the $10-kind from Radioshack, fell off my desk one time, and out of reaction I reached to grab it, and sure enough grabbed the hot iron and burned the palm of my hand into an immediate HUGE white blister...
Anyone else have a good soldering injury story? |
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the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 19:33:42
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Howdy Dingus,
I say start a thread. "Guitar-related injuries". I leave the honors to you & firmly believe you should quote yourself in the thread. C'mon, everyone takes some joy or humor in people getting hurt, even though it is not psychologically, philosophically or politically correct. If you haven't figured me out yet, I 'm none of the above.  Run with it!
 T-D |
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Topic |
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Soldering Station
