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Gareth,<br><br>
I go simple:<br><br>
--- A 30W pencil soldering iron<br>
--- Spool of 60/40 tin/lead rosin core solder 0.032” (1mm) diameter<br>
--- Coil-holster-style iron holder with sponge. The coil offers
some protection from accidentally burning yourself. Right now
I'm using a nice, stable (and inexpensive) stand (photo:
<a href="http://www.mcmelectronics.com/content/productimages/s4/21-8160.jpg" eudora="autourl">
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/content/productimages/s4/21-8160.jpg</a>
though I didn't buy it here). I bought mine locally (Mark
Electronics in Beltsville) $5-10. Sorry, Radio Shack, the coil in
your similar Model: 64-2078 wasn't stable and the plastic base
broke. I do NOT like the flimsy, exposed "soldering iron
stands" where you rest the iron on it. You often see these in
an all-in-one beginner soldering packs (for example,
http://www.computersquare.ca/images/RD-7309B.gif and
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160671w345.jpg
)<br>
--- copper braid is very nice for removing excess solder (Radio Shack has
it: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062744 )<br>
--- For desoldering, the spring-loaded solder sucker
(<a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062745" eudora="autourl">
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062745 </a>) works
pretty well as does the simple desoldering bulb
(<a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062742" eudora="autourl">
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062742</a>
). But you have to work quickly: heating the joint with the iron
and then positioning and using the bulb/sucker before the solder
cools. If you find yourself de-soldering often, I really like the
combination iron/sucker:
<a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731" eudora="autourl">
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731</a>
It's not that expensive and you don't have be performing the more
dangerous juggling of soldering iron then solder sucker (uh, you will
need a soldering stand; it won't fit in a coil-holster. Just be
careful.). <br>
--- "Helping hand" tools are nice. Some helping hands not
only have 2 clips but also a magnifying glass
(<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/00300-00399/00319.gif" eudora="autourl">
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/00300-00399/00319.gif </a>),
which can be very convenient for fuzzy eyes. I've cannibalized a
second helping hand, using one of it's clips to replace the magnifying
glass giving the first helping hand a third clip (got that?).
I haven't tried them, but I don't like the idea of some helping hands
which also have a coil-holster-style soldering iron holder. I don't
want the iron to be that close when I'm doing non-soldering tasks to the
project, repositioning it, adding parts to it, etc.<br><br>
Other thoughts:<br>
--- I don't like "Cold heat" irons: too much fiddling to
position correctly and it's tip is too bulky for most electronics
soldering. Gimmicky. <br>
--- I don't like soldering guns: repeatedly waiting for it heat up
is counterproductive and it's tip is too bulky for most electronics
soldering. Wrong tool.<br>
--- A larger project of mine (over 60 dip sockets in each of two
projects) required lot of soldering (at least for me). I bought a
solder dispenser (<$10
<a href="http://www.curiousinventor.com/images/store/products/solder_dispenser/solder_dispenser_use.jpg" eudora="autourl">
http://www.curiousinventor.com/images/store/products/solder_dispenser/solder_dispenser_use.jpg</a>
) and borrowed a friend's soldering station. The soldering station
made an amazing difference since it was able to keep the iron tip up to
temperature (the act of soldering drains heat from the tip). I was able
to solder the sockets (700-800 soldering joints) very quickly. A
regular pencil iron can't regulate the tip temperature as well and would
need time to reheat. I loved it.<br>
--- A specialized circuit board holder can be helpful (like:
http://media.digikey.com/photos/Panavise%20Photos/201.jpg ).<br>
--- So far I like a freestanding adjustable LED lit magnifying glass from
Harbor Freight
(<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96358" eudora="autourl">
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96358
</a>).<br>
--- I referenced photos from several stores and parts from Radio Shack --
I'm not necessary recommending these stores. These parts can be in
many online brick and mortar stores.<br><br>
Scott Austin<br>
P.S. The projects with the 60+ sockets can be seen here:
<a href="http://www.vectronicsappleworld.com/appleii/obtronix.php" eudora="autourl">
http://www.vectronicsappleworld.com/appleii/obtronix.php</a><br>
P.P.S. Yeah, I have one of these helping hands:
<a href="http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/10/big_daddy_has_big_hands.html" eudora="autourl">
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/10/big_daddy_has_big_hands.html<br>
<br>
</a><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Dear Esteemed
Dorks,<br><br>
Next week starts out Summer MAKEcation program on Make: Online. The<br>
first program in the series is "Teach Your Family to Solder"
week.<br>
Here's intro info:<br><br>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mtlmml">http://tinyurl.com/mtlmml</a><br><br>
I'll have a more detailed post on Monday.<br><br>
To coincide with this announcement, Monday's Toolbox column is going<br>
to be on soldering tools, materials, supplies, etc. I've already
don't<br>
a column on soldering stations/solder fume extractors. This will
cover<br>
favorite irons, stands, solder suckers, wick, solder, desoldering<br>
tools, etc. Basically, all the stuff you need to get started in<br>
soldering (and a few worthwhile specialty tools). We'll be talking<br>
about discrete component soldering, not surface-mount.<br><br>
So, what's in your soldering set-up? What are you favorite tools?
What<br>
are some of the special tools that you use that others might be<br>
unaware of? What soldering tools advice would you give the
beginner?<br><br>
Any input greatly appreciated.<br><br>
Gareth <br>
........................................................................<br>
.......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with
electricity.........<br>
...................
<a href="http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc" eudora="autourl">
http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc</a> .......................<br>
................... SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT
.......................<br>
........
<a href="http://dorkbot.org/mailman/listinfo/dorkbotdc-blabber" eudora="autourl">
http://dorkbot.org/mailman/listinfo/dorkbotdc-blabber</a> ........<br>
........................................................................</blockquote>
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