Is this soldering iron up to the job?

DeeTee

Once I get my LP project guitar back, I'd like to try and crack on with it. With that in mind, is this likely to be OK? I need to wire the guitar completely, so pots, pickups, etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soldering-Station-Iron-Kit-60-40-Lead-Solder-Wire-De-Solder-Desolder-Pump-Stand-/111279216123?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item19e8c215fb

octatonic

Is it powerful enough for most guitar electronics?

Yes.

Is it any good?

Hmmm.... I'd probably get something better.

DeeTee

Thanks. Any suggestions for the something better?

octatonic

I've used one of these for the last 5 years.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/48w-professional-2-line-lcd-display-solder-station-n34fb

DeeTee

£50 is a bit over my budget. If I get into it and decide I need something industrial, that'd be great but I'm looking at about half that.

sweepy

Should be fine, 40w ia adequate for the back of a pot

Misterg

I've used one that *looks* very similar, and it was fine.

(I've got that Maplin one for myself, though).

FelineGuitars

get an Antex xs25 but change the tip to a number 52 bit 

the bit is big enough to store up more than enough heat to do pot backs

http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/standard-soldering-irons/xs25/

http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/replacement-bits/50-bits-for-xs,mlxs/

It's what I use 75% of the time - i use a fine tip one the rest ofthe time if I'm doing small stuff

ecc83

I have had one of these for 4 years..

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00675/soldering-station-uk-plug/dp/SD01387

I actually got mine from Maplin. You only buy a solder station two or three times a lifetime! Get something 1/2 decent. I have had Weller Magnastats for 40 years and they are excellent for a big workload but they ARE pricey!

Dave.

RobDavies

The Duratool effort looks similar to the ones that I've been using from Maplin for a while.

They work well - but only for a short period of time.  I had to keep taking them back - probably about six times over a twelve month period.

In fairness, they did get a lot of use but you'd still expect them to last a bit longer.

octatonic

DeeTee said:

£50 is a bit over my budget. If I get into it and decide I need something industrial, that'd be great but I'm looking at about half that.

It is up to you but I tend to look at total spend.

You can either buy the £15 now and then get something better down the line spending £65 total.

Or get a £50 now and that is all you spend.

ROOG

ecc83 said:

I have had one of these for 4 years..

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00675/soldering-station-uk-plug/dp/SD01387

I actually got mine from Maplin. You only buy a solder station two or three times a lifetime! Get something 1/2 decent. I have had Weller Magnastats for 40 years and they are excellent for a big workload but they ARE pricey!

Dave.

I agree with ecc83, I still have tools I bought when I was 18, because I bought good stuff as I could afford it. I have drifted from this path a few time in my life and usually regretted it. I think I've only had 2 electronics soldering irons (Antex) in 35 years. buy a reputable make so that you can get replacement bits and as FelineGuitars says you can get a long way with a larger mass bit for bigger jobs.

Even good ones aren't expensive when you factor in the life of the unit.

not_the_dj

How about this one, dicounted at Maplins form £50 to £30?:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/48w-lcd-display-solder-station-n16ch

I've got a cheapo basic one form Maplins (25w I think) but I'll be looking to do a pick-up/pot change in a Les Paul soon, and I've then got plans for a upgrade to my strat.

Would that be a good buy? (they have them instock in the Maplins 5mins walk from where I'm sat right now)

*edit* In fact it looks very similar to the one @ecc83 linked to above