Soldering iron starter kit

[ImbaHue]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a soldering iron to solder/desolder some ALPS switches.

What' wattage should I get to get the job done?

Kind Regards,
ImbaHue

[andrewjoy]

Get a temperature controlled iron even if its a cheap one, you want to use the minimum amount of heat possible.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... 1_1&sr=8-1

Or a big step up

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soldering-Sta ... SwVL1V-bl3

The best thing about that is it can take genuine Hakko tips. As always with china stuff that plugs into the mains always open first to check its safe.

You want a chisel tip like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B015 ... 1_4&sr=8-4

[ImbaHue]

Hi andrewjoy,

I guess I'll order the one from Amazon because the seller from that ebay link doesn't seem to post to Ireland.

Thank you!

-ImbaHue

Edit: What other items should I get aside from solders and pumps? Do I need flux?

Edit2: Ordered! Thanks andrewjoy!

[scottc]

I agree with andrewjoy, I have one of the cheapy Chinese Hakko ripoffs and I love it. It was 25 euro well spent!

[HzFaq]

Ooo nice, I might pick up that Hakko ripoff once my Antex iron dies.

[andrewjoy]

I would also get a flux pen some solder wick and a pump. It would also not be a bad idea to get some proper rosin flux 60/40 solder. Do not get lead free solder, its terrible m at least for hand soldering. Its also the reason so many BGA devices fail as its more brittle than leaded solder.

[ImbaHue]

Crap! How does this work?

That soldering iron is sold by EnergyMonitorWorld and Fulfilled by Amazon but cannot be delivered to Ireland? However, the solder wick and the pump can be delivered to Ireland.

Note that I already ordered.

@andrewjoy, Thanks mate. I also bought a 60/40 solder wick and a pump.

Nevermind, cancelled my order. I'll look on Ebay.ie.

[andrewjoy]

Hmm , i guess you are in Southern Ireland? Its strange they don't have there own store they have offices i have walked past them, they are near kilmainham jail.

Anyway. It may be worth trying ebay for someone who will ship to you.

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_from=R40 ... 5573.m1684

[scottc]

Check out eBay.ie, there are lots on there from what I remember.

[ImbaHue]

Thanks scottc, I'll look it up.

@andrewjoy, yep I'm from the north of the Southern Ireland.

[Matt_]

Get a temperature controlled iron even if its a cheap one, you want to use the minimum amount of heat possible.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... 1_1&sr=8-1

Or a big step up

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soldering-Sta ... SwVL1V-bl3

I have the soldering iron shown in the first link. It is okay-ish, but there is no way to know the actual temperature of the iron, so you'll probably end up setting it too low, then too high, so be careful and experiment on a useless board first. But for components that are not too sensitive, it does the job, provided you know how to solder (i.e. apply just enough heat in the right amount of time — usually under five seconds — for the solder to flow properly).

I had a much better experience with this iron : http://www.banzaimusic.com/Soldering-Iron-LKR-50.html

... well, safe for the fact that it died on me after one year of regular use, but it was far better at doing the job that the 50w station. Of course, the Hakko 936 clone should be superior to both.

I agree with the suggestion to buy a desoldering pump and solder wick — the first one is easier to use, but the second can be more helpful in specific situations. If you don't have flux on hand, you can add fresh solder (which contains flux) to a connexion you want to desolder, then use the pump to remove it.

Also, get one of those brass tip cleaners. They are far better than the usual sponge to keep your iron tip clean and fresh (which it needs to be to conduct heat properly).

[ImbaHue]

Thanks for the suggestion Matt_.

I canceled my order from Amazon knowing I could get something better. Still looking at eBay though.

I haven't done a full soldering job before (except for linking wires together) but I could always spare some time to practice so I won't f-up the board.

I'll consider the links you provided.

Thanks,
-ImbaHue

[andrewjoy]

If you are going to be doing loads of boards , i would get a proper desoldering station in addition to the soldering iron.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Duratool-D006 ... SwfZ1WYCTF

Don't get me wrong its no metcal or hakko 808 but this thing is awesome! With practice you will be super fast. I disordered every single switch from an M0110 ( to remove the PCB and hand wire it) in about 3 mins ( excluding the time i took to flux every contact beforehand).

Yes they are expensive but if you are someone who wants to salvage / repair more than one board its worth every penny. You will be in the pub and the smuck with he braid will be there for another hour getting his switches

[Matt_]

Just one more thing, if you get a simple soldering iron like the one I linked instead of a 936 clone, don't forget to buy a holder. There is nothing worse than a hot iron sliding off your workspace.

Also, I am not specifically recommending that you buy from Banzai (although I never had a bad experience with them, ordering from France), you can probably find the same stuff from other vendors.

[andrewjoy]

Yes without a holder the ones at the end of a wire are very dangerous! They float about and trust me you don't want to touch one of them. I did a very silly thing, i was soldering and lent over to grab the crappy end of a wire iron but it was just in my peripheral vision, i missed and grabbed the hot end with my whole hand. This is NOT as much fun as you think it is. Especially if you have to help someone move home the next day and have to lift washing machines. I had to wear a glove the whole day in the middle of summer.

This fact alone makes me never use a iron at the end of a wire anymore, my skin is worth more than the extra cost of a station , even if its a cheap clone one.

[kbdfr]

[…] my skin is worth more than the extra cost of a station , even if its a cheap clone one.

You have cheap clone skin?

Spoiler:

Sorry, coulnd't resist

[ImbaHue]

Hi andrewjoy,

I'm just in it to try and fix a couple of switches off my board and maybe, to prepare myself for my first custom.

Hi Matt_,
All cool man. I figured I also need a holder. Yeah, I need to get those stuff somewhere closer.

Kind Regards,
-ImbaHue

[Cherry1990]

HAKKO FX-888D

I think they ship all over Europe.

[HuBandiT]

I haven't done a full soldering job before (except for linking wires together) but I could always spare some time to practice so I won't f-up the board.

SparkFun (and probably countless others) have gazillions of soldering and desoldering videos on YouTube, if you're into that kind of thing.

[guk]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... duct=32515

Another Hakko knockoff, don't know about the difference between model 936 and 936b.

[ImbaHue]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... duct=32515

Another Hakko knockoff, don't know about the difference between model 936 and 936b.

^
This.

Ordering it now!

Thanks guys!

Edit: Apparently, they cannot ship to Ireland due to size/weight

[scottc]

I have the Yihua after EEVBlog posted a review on it. Great iron, but then again... it's exactly the same as all the other rip-offs. Literally. There's no difference apart from the random name written on it. Hope it works out for you, ImbaHue!

[guk]

It's a bit cheaper, good enough a reason as/if it is indeed identical to the other one.

[andrewjoy]

i got it after watching his video too but mine is in way better condition than his, i don't have any rust on my voltage regulator and my ground is crimped properly to the transformer, the circuit board itself was also of better construction. I think although the are all identical there are a few fabricators making them and some are better than others.

[Matt_]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... duct=32515

Another Hakko knockoff, don't know about the difference between model 936 and 936b.

Not all clone variations have the same name, but usually what differs is the available power. This one is 60w , 936 clones are usually 35w I think.

Thanks for the link, I may grab one myself !

[scottc]

I have both the Yihua and W.E.P. 936 irons (both from different sellers on allegro.pl), and they're completely identical, inside and out.

[ImbaHue]

So currently:

The Hakko from Cherry1990 link is out of my budget range. I'm thinking about <50euro for the iron, solders and holder shipped.

The one from HobbyKing doesn't ship to IE due to size/weight of the station.

The ones from the eBay won't even ship to southern Ireland.

I would like to have those Hakko knockoffs as much as possible since you guys suggested it as a great iron for it's price.

The search still continues.

Kind Regards,
ImbaHue

[andrewjoy]

i can proxy a knock off hakko for you if you like!

[guk]

Well, I could proxy and guess the other guys wouldn't mind either.

[ImbaHue]

@andrewjoy Thanks mate. I'll take your offer then. PM sent.

@guk Thanks man.

Thanks DT!

I love you all. No homo!