What soldering iron?

rico

I did loads of soldering at school and uni but not touched one in years - I would like to get one primarily for changing pickups without constantly visiting the tech but i'd also like to have a crack at building some pedals.

I have found this kit on amazon, any good? 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronics-Adjustable-Temperature-Soldering-iron-Desoldering/dp/B06Y5HVCMG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1500362151&sr=8-5&keywords=soldering+iron&linkCode=sl1&tag=bestreviewer2-21&linkId=7c69068055c763ce438ff0cd78ae1fe5

I seem to remember the quality of the solder being important - can you refresh my memory?

Thanks!

streethawk

Looks great value and should last long enough for you to get plenty of use out of it for the money.

The adjustable function on my Antex iron broke within a fortnight, the same crappy design as your Amazon one. Still heats up though so I use it anyway. 

There's a lot of digitally adjustable ones available too from places like Maplin. I've heard they're good. 

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/60w-mains-lcd-solder-station-a55kj

Leaded solder flows best but you don't want to be breathing it in. Unleaded solder is ok. I use it with added silver, which is more expensive but works pretty well.
https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/lead-free-silver-solder-roll-100g-n32ar

Use one of these to clean the tip after each application of solder, and not that damp sponge thingy that comes with the iron:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071CG44HT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm back to doing more soldering for kits etc so am about to bite the bullet and buy a decent Hakko unit. Nothing wrong with a cheapo though, for as long as they last!

Emp_Fab

Be careful where you get the Hakko from mate.  The market is awash with fakes.  I bought mine direct from a Hakko distributor (in Italy of all places - 'Batterfly' (yes, it is spelled like that)) as it was cheaper than the UK official distributor.  It was the only way I could be sure of getting a genuine unit.

streethawk

Emp_Fab said:

Be careful where you get the Hakko from mate.  The market is awash with fakes.  I bought mine direct from a Hakko distributor (in Italy of all places - 'Batterfly' (yes, it is spelled like that)) as it was cheaper than the UK official distributor.  It was the only way I could be sure of getting a genuine unit.

Maplin do them now.

tampaxboo

for the same price i would get this one. more robust weighty stand is essential really. that one looks fally-over, which is not good for hot stuff. and controls under your hand is a clumsy design.

the bits and pieces (solder pump, wire clippers) you can pick up for pennies on ebay or hardware store if decide you need them. most of those bits you probably have in some form. (the ones with that kit look a bit cheap tbh).
you can get decent enough am-tech mini pliers and clippers for a pound a time that are way better. get long nose and standard pliars and small side clippers. tube of solder is £1.

as for tips, you only need a pencil tip and a chisel tip at most. pencil is all i use (it comes with). replacement coated tips for these are easy to find, only cost £1 on ebay and last for quite a while.

i got the maplin version of this one four years ago and it's stil going strong. had two tip replacements in that time. never overheated. good range of temperatures. perfect starter.

and do buy some safety glasses. if a spitty bit of solder-flux throws something up it can save your sight. well worth the £1.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/58W-Moss-Variable-Temperature-control-Soldering-Station-Iron-Electronic-Stand/272697904621?epid=933177164&hash=item3f7e0fcded:g:WaQAAOSwIQdZMMgC

rico

Too late! It arrived yesterday and I'll get cracking with it soon...

AustrianJohn

tampaxboo said:

for the same price i would get this one...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/58W-Moss-Variable-Temperature-control-Soldering-Station-Iron-Electronic-Stand/272697904621?epid=933177164&hash=item3f7e0fcded:g:WaQAAOSwIQdZMMgC

I have this one and it works well.