Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Ian Price on October 19, 2009, 04:14:23 PM
-
Hello all. Can anyone recommend a good soldering iron for general tinkering with guitars and effects. I'm not looking at spending huge amounts of money - probably up to £30.00ish.
Cheers in advance!
-
It's a fair bit more pricey, but this is the one I have. I find the adjustable temperature very useful.
http://www.antex.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=180&P_ID=828 (http://www.antex.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=180&P_ID=828)
-
I agree the TCS is nice, currently I use this one http://www.antex.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=180&P_ID=823, it's about £15 from rapid electronics I believe, good to get started with.
-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-Ci500-Soldering-Station/dp/B000QI329M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1255978279&sr=8-1
I get by OK with that.
-
I have an antex x25 or something like that.
I wouldn't worry to much they all do their job if you look after them.
-
Cheers guys - the B&D one looks like it might be the right one for me.
-
I find the adjustable temperature very useful.
useful for what? mine's some cheapo thing from B&Q, although now I'm thinking it was a rip off compared to MDVs swiss army soldering iron
-
I find the adjustable temperature very useful.
useful for what?
I put it on a high temperature for quickly soldering grounds, and a lower temperature for soldering connections to switches etc. So you don't end up frying any parts or melting insulation all over the place.
-
I think there's a nice gas one for sale in Aldi this week :D
-
i wouldnt get too excited about the 'swiss army' aspect of my soldering iron. The only things from it I use are the long needle-like iron tip and the stand. The arms broke off it almost instantly (but I have a proper metal set of extra hand croc clip things - very, very handy). Its a decent iron though.
I have a dremel gas soldering iron/blowtorch as well - its a psychopath; the heat from the vents on minimum setting wll strip cladding off any wire within an inch off them. Very good tool, but overkill for guitar electronics.
-
The arms broke off it almost instantly (but I have a proper metal set of extra hand croc clip things - very, very handy).
I did wonder about those arms. I've got my eyes on a little gadget that has strong arms, heavy base and a big magnifying glass. Probably a good idea.
-
The arms broke off it almost instantly (but I have a proper metal set of extra hand croc clip things - very, very handy).
I did wonder about those arms. I've got my eyes on a little gadget that has strong arms, heavy base and a big magnifying glass. Probably a good idea.
I imagine its near identical to mine. They are very usefull.
-
It's one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000T9UCHI/ref=s9_sima_gw_s0_p60_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=1R8HEBJ6G740R4N19SG6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128133&pf_rd_i=468294
-
Yeah, same thing.
-
Being able to control the temperature is useful if you are working with both leaded and non-leaded solder (RoHS compliant).
Non-leaded solder melts at a higher temperature than leaded solder.
If you can push the boat out I would go for a 25W iron minimum for soldering, especially if you intend to solder to pot cases. The 25W Antex looks a good buy. If you do a lot of soldering you will eventually wear out the tip so it is worth looking at the price of replacement tips too (if you can get them).
I would not recommend a gas solder iron.
The old adage "buy cheap, buy twice" is very true when buying tools......
-
I find that my Antex 18w iron is about right for 99% of the soldering jobs I do. If I need a big honkin 100w iron, I'll just borrow one from a mate.
-
I use a weller soldering gun, heats up fast, and only hot when you need it so you dont waste power while you are fiddling with the wires. It's so much better than my old hobby soldering iron :) Its similar to this one:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Weller-9200UD-Universal-Soldering-Gun-23611.htm
-edit-
you will need a steady hand if you try and use it to wire up mini push-pull pots though :mrgreen:
-
I would not recommend a gas solder iron.
There's a big argument about them on one of the other forums I frequent. :lol: Personally I quite like them, but I know people that hate them. I use my tools for all sorts, not just guitars so I find them quite versaitle.... but I've only ever used my electric one for guitar bits. I bought a Draper one a while back and the needle is like a rather large screwdriver. It's aweful :lol:
-
A gas soldering iron is a perfectly good tool, all things considered, IMO. They're just too clumsy and too powerfull for guitar work.
I got a draper soldering iron once. Not only did it have a horrible screwdriver tip, but the tip notched and came loose very quickly. I dont trust draper with anything more complex than a hammer, quite frankly.
-
I got a draper soldering iron once. Not only did it have a horrible screwdriver tip, but the tip notched and came loose very quickly. I dont trust draper with anything more complex than a hammer, quite frankly.
I completley agree......... B&Q can kiss my arse too :lol:
-
I have a draper one laying around too, went to pick up a new tip and couldn't fine one... maybe its a single use soldering iron? :lol:
It still does me for what little I have to do
-
I have a draper drill, as well.
Its like someone took the motor out of an electric pencil sharpener and put it in a drill.
I have a hand drill that I can get stuff done faster and easier with.
I really must get a decent one.