Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

JGarofalo3

JGarofalo3

New member
Have gradually been doing more and more work on my own guitars and now even begun doing some for friends. Aside the basic tools and equipment for servicing/cleaning a guitar I am now looking to buy my own soldering kit/tool so as to do my own P'ups, pots and etc.

I am currently looking at and considering a Weller 40 w kit:

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/weller-40-watt-soldering-iron-kit-sp40lk.html

Honestly I really don't know if this is perfect, overkill or if I want something more "whatever"...........I am ISO opinions, suggestions and recommendations from the readership.

Also if there are any "indispensable tools you think I should consider or want to add to a small but decent set of equipemt I welcome those suggestionsa s well.

Thank you in advance and private messages are always welcome too.

JG3
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

JG3,

I use a 25 watt weller all the time and it works great, I personally think 25 watt is enough to get the job done, without damaging componets with too much heat. Others may say "get the 40 watter."

When attaching a shield wire to the back of a pot, skuffing the back with some sandpaper also helps, also use rosin to make it stick easier.

I have a small vise I use to hold connectors when building cables, it really comes in handy when you need that 3rd hand, and to prevent burns!

A good set of strippers and wire cutters are important.

Hope these suggestions help, good luck man.


AlleeCat
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

you don't want a gun. I have a Weller WLC100 station, which happens to be 40W. I think it was ~$40. Anything like this should be good. And yes, 25W is adequate, but this is adjustable and I usually use it on 4 on the dial (out of 5). Stay away from the crappy $15 irons, they will burn themselves out inside a few months of semi-regular use and they don't regulate well

I forget the part #s for the tips but get conical (pointy) tips for most work and have a 1/8" chisel tip on hand to make work on the back of pots or other larger surfaces needing more heat easier
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I agree, I use a soldering station also as it offers much more flexibility for temperatures and irons. You can get good deals on soldering stations on ebay and others. You can go with the Weller or get their Clone stations. I have a clone, a unit very similar to a weller 936 and it does everything I want it to easily. You get good deals on them for around $40 but it will last you for a long time and has many different tips..etc.
I work with audio circuitry all the time and solder everything from pinpoint surface mount IC's to guitar electronics with that unit.
This is your best bet as it will serve you well.
 
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Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I have used a 40 watt radio shack soldering iron kit for ages that I bought for 10$ about 9-10 years ago. The kit I have looks very much like that home depot jobbie. I would not buy one again . . . it does the job but doesn't work particularly well.

Radio_Shack_Soldering_Iron.gif



One big problem with the stand-alone soldering iron kits is that they never balance well on the little metal stand that they give you, and it's very easy to knock the iron off and burn your desk/hands/guitar you're working on. The soldering stations give a much better method of holding the iron, and the temperature control would be useful. When my current iron dies, that's the way I'll be going.
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

Usually those type of irons are built very cheap and have poor heat control. You can buy a good unit once or buy a poor quality unit many times.
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I am 99.99% certain (I already have it the shopping cart) I will buy the Weller WLC100 (40 watt)........any suggestions on a magnifying lamp and or Panavise/Helping Hands?

Also do I need a Multimeter? I am reading that it is important and if so can I get away with one of the cheaper ones for $15 or do I need to drop alot on this tool?
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I got one of those magnifier / alligator clip helping hands thingys from Rat Shack. It's OK, but it is easy to tip over. For me it is good enough

A multimeter is a great tool. Again Rat Shack, Sears, Amazon, prob even Harbor Freight can set you up. I think the essentials are 2K - 2M ohm range and if you're doing pedals or other low voltage electronics, etc is DCV metering. I'll leave high voltage / amp work to the experts. I confess ignorance and I don't probe electronics that can kill me
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I agree, a nice soldering station is worth spending a few more bucks on.

AlleeCat
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

You buy junk over and over.
You buy quality once.
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I've used a 25 watt, a 30 watt and a 40 watt, definitely go for the 40. It makes things way easier. I bought a batter powered Weller, just because I like the shorter tip, I don't have the steadiest hands, and using the wand triples my shakieness. So get what's comfortable for you. Soldering is really simple, and I kind of have fun doing it. I like working on my guitars, because I love finding out how stuff works or how something gets built.
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

Same here tonello. I am really getting into the tinkering and as my guitar workshop evolves and gets more robust my enjoyment for this grows. I am only sorry I didn't get into this years ago!
 
Re: Suggestions/Reco's for a soldering wand/gun

I've got a 25 watt Weller station from Radio Shack. It's worked fine for over 6 years.
 
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