Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

Gearjoneser

Gearjoneser

Gear Ho
Last night, I was repairing some shorted cables, having such a difficult time with my worn out soldering iron. I don't know the exact wattage, but it doesn't seem as hot as it used to be, and the end keeps coming loose.
Trashbasket!!!!

I want whatever soldering iron that pro techs would use for guitar work.
I also don't want to buy it at Radio Shack (ripoff). Is there any particular brand or soldering kit that is considered the best? Also, what accessories should I buy, besides the ones I have listed?

Volt/Ohm meter
Soldering Iron
60/40 flux core solder
Solder Sucker
Needlenose pliers and cutters.
Wire stripper
Exacto knife kit.
Electrical tape
 
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Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

you might look at the variable power Weller station that someone mentioned the other day ... Antique Electronic Supply should have them

have you tried just replacing the tip on your iron?
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

Yeah, I think it was Artie that was talking about that. Around Christmas time, KMart was liquidating their entire tool section at cost, and I took advantage of that.
I might check there, since they've got to get rid of everything, to make room for the Craftsman line, due to KMart and Sears merging. A few months ago, I scored a whole bunch of expensive power tools and dremel tools for only $9 each!!
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

I have a Genz-Benz (GB) combo wire stripper and cutter. It's about a year old and with a few cuts here and there, the cutting edges have pitted and the joint of the tool is not tight, so often times a wire gets mangled, especially the small gauge wires we use w/ guitars. I would avoid that model. I did throw down a few extra bucks for a small set of electrical pliers and wire trimmers made by Husky tools and they work pretty well.

I just use a weller 40w soldering iron and I don't have any say on the type of solder.

I do use a GB digital multimeter which works fine.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

I'm shure most techs use a soldering station where they can regulate the temperature. I know I did when I still worked at the Radio store.
You already listed pretty much everything you need.

Maybe you can get one of those robot arms that can hold things still while you solder or something like that. Most cold joints result from not holding the parts completely still.
I always wish I have three arms when I solder.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

Hmmm. Weller. I'll have to check into that brand. I think what I need is the variable wattage one with an actual base on it.....with the spring coil holster thing on top.
I'm sick of these $12 soldering irons that can't melt through stubborn solder.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

+1 on the Weller. It's what our techs use at the shop.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

I've got a Weller at work. The model I have costs about $120. I really like it alot but could never justify paying that much for one at home.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

+1 on the Weller variable power soldering station

de-soldering braid (much easier to use than the bulb sucker IMHO)

cheap forcepts with curved tips, plus some alligator clips, to hold your work steady/together/off the kitchen counter

shrink-wrap tubes (instead of tape when you can)

Chip
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

+1 on the Weller variable power soldering station. Iron holder and place for the sponge. I got a 50 watt iron with it so solder to pots is quick at max turn it down to deal with components.

I got mine at Fry's (think they've expanded to Southern Cal)
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

For wire strippers go for Marvel, made in Japan. My pair will strip from 0.5 mm square to 6mm square, and they have stripped 10,000's of wires (I've built thousands of Medium Voltage switchgear units, can turn off half of Australia if I can Zen it.)

For soldering irons stick with Weller but use a 23/25W for "fine" stuff and a 40 to 60W for the back of pots and heavy shielding. Always clean the surface of the factory coating with a bit of a scratch and/or acid flux. Clean up the spot with a dab of a moist sponge and a touch of the iron.

Get a third hand/clamp, or practice holding the soldering iron in your teeth! Always wear safety glasses as I have the scars around the non-safety covered areas to prove it and a bin full of trashed safety equipment that has done the job.

To strip PUP windings or similar just use a soldering iron as it will burn/melt the cover away and a scrap with a finger nail will clear away the debris.
 
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Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

From the looks of Gear's list above, I use a lot of the same stuff. However, I recently picked up a 40 wat radio shack iron because I was having problems with a 25 watter and cold solder joints, etc.

I also picked up some desoldering braid - will this get the job done or do I need a good solder sucker? I saw those for about $20.

I also saw a solder pen or something online that required batteries and seemed easier to use - but, does it work!?

Finally, I think one of my problems has been my technique. I don't use flux but I have to pay particular attention to my tinning technique. Look at the article I suplied below. He talks about tinning the iron tip, wire, and plug or I guess in this case it would be the pot. Is that the case? It sounds like it would be easier to actually have a bit of shiny solder on the back of the pot and on the wire ready to go. Is this tinning? I didn't realize tinning meant to actually leave some of the solder melted on the part aside from just melting a little on the tip. am I making sense? Anyway, it sounds like once everything is tinned - everything will flow right together. My problem has always been balling up of the solder!

http://www.acguitar.com/issues/ag94/dear94.shtml
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

It looks like the Weller and Hakko are the two industry standard soldering stations.

Here's a Weller for $115
wewtcptth.jpg


Here's the Hakko for $127. Note the thinner grip.
936.jpg
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

The Wellers I have (I keep one in my gig 'doctor bag') are straight up plug in soldering irons. My Hakko is an actual station. I would say they will both do the job, but the Hakko's temp setting is far more accurate. They also make a soldering station which is a lot more $$ that has a vacuum tube de-solderer ... that just rocks!!
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

Weller stations set the standard, but they are more than most people need. Someone said Radio Shack is a ripoff, which in most cases is true, but thier irons are VERY well built and last a long time. I suggest buying a 15W and a 40W, and a universal base with the coil holster. All of that will cost you under $30 compared to Weller stations that are above $100, and most people will only use about 2 temps anyways.

Instead of 60/40 solder, get 63/37. Its whats called eutectic solder, and at that composition, both the tin and lead will go from solid to liquid at the same instant. With 60/40, the there is a period there where some of the solder is liquid and some is still solid. 63/37 is stronger because the grains form better when it all goes to solid at once.

for the meter, get a Fluke digital multi-meter. Any model will do you very well. They have set the standard for DMMs. Just find one in your price range. I would try www.mouser.com
 
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Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

Gearjoneser said:
A few months ago, I scored a whole bunch of expensive power tools and dremel tools for only $9 each!!
Click to expand...

Wanna sell me a Dremel? :)
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

JB_From_Hell said:
Wanna sell me a Dremel? :)
Click to expand...
Sorry, gave a couple away for Christmas gifts. Keep an eye on KMart though, because they've got to clear out all of their tools to make way for Sears Craftsman line soon.
 
Re: Best Soldering Iron and Accessories for Guitar Work?

oddly enough, sears sells dremels, so i don't know if they will be closing out on those. also, dremel manufactures the craftsman rotary tools (just an FYI)
 
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