Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: hunter on August 19, 2007, 09:06:20 PM

Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: hunter on August 19, 2007, 09:06:20 PM
What is a good soldering iron built to last and regulated so you can control the heat and not destroy your expensive pots and parts?

Where to buy too?
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Ted on August 19, 2007, 09:11:38 PM
Weller are good in US.

I use Antex here in UK.

Belgium.......?!

Both of these companies do good solder stations.

In all seriousness Weller would be a good bet and I am sure you can get those in Europe. Or something German....they are usually well designed and reliable...?!
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: HTH AMPS on August 19, 2007, 09:24:22 PM
You don't need a regulated soldering station for doing amp and guitar repairs (total overkill).  Just get a 20w Antex iron which will see you right for everything.  I'm using the same iron I got 5+ years ago, I've changed the tip maybe three or four times.

 :twisted:
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: noodleplugerine on August 19, 2007, 09:29:29 PM
Any soldering iron will do the job - And they're not exactly easy to break considering how carefully you're going to be using them on your precious guitars.
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Oli on August 19, 2007, 09:50:45 PM
Yea, you don't really need a bells-and-whistles soldering iron for guitar work. You'd only need a temperature controlled model if you were doing some serious PCB work, and with surface-mount components where you'd be likely to lift pads and traces as well as kill the IC :p If you adhere to 'proper' soldering procedure you'll be fine with an iron from 20w-40w i'd think :)
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Will on August 19, 2007, 11:02:08 PM
What solder is advisable too?
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on August 19, 2007, 11:13:31 PM
HAKKO!!

That is the only iron you will need.

If Hakko is too high end, you should look into Weller.
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: hunter on August 20, 2007, 05:27:55 AM
Thanks guys. You can buy direct on http://www.antex.co.uk/ and they have a great tips section as well.
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Ratrod on August 20, 2007, 04:51:27 PM
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
HAKKO!!

That is the only iron you will need.

If Hakko is too high end, you should look into Weller.


I have a Weller. It's pretty old but it never let me down and gets the job done.
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Nadz1lla on August 20, 2007, 08:26:52 PM
Of course if you are as metal (or know anyone as metal) as some of us, you don't need a soldering iron.

My personal fave method is to raise my broadsword and incur the power of Thor, heating my blade with the lightening he sends me. Whilst my sword is charging in the storm, I put on my fur y-fronts and matching boots and go mining for my own Iron Ore, and infuse said Ore with the blood and tears of the unbelievers.

Once refined, I take my Iron solder and my White hot Broadsword and set to work, all the while singing from the hallowed verses of Manowar.

I hope this helps.  :wink:
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on August 20, 2007, 09:22:31 PM
Quote from: Nadz1lla
Of course if you are as metal (or know anyone as metal) as some of us, you don't need a soldering iron.

My personal fave method is to raise my broadsword and incur the power of Thor, heating my blade with the lightening he sends me. Whilst my sword is charging in the storm, I put on my fur y-fronts and matching boots and go mining for my own Iron Ore, and infuse said Ore with the blood and tears of the unbelievers.

Once refined, I take my Iron solder and my White hot Broadsword and set to work, all the while singing from the hallowed verses of Manowar.

I hope this helps.  :wink:

Very funny, but I think you mean LIGHTNING, which is electricity from the sky, not LIGHTENING, which is what women do to their hair!
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: WezV on August 20, 2007, 10:01:17 PM
nah, i think he got it the right way!!!

you need some good highlights in your fro to be able to wear furry pants :wink:
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Nadz1lla on August 20, 2007, 11:50:06 PM
Do you think Thor has a spellcheck? No! You know why? 'Cos he's got a big f-off Hammer so nobody argues.  :lol:

Yeah I'm not the best speller. But Wez is right, you need some good highlighting and a certain amount of hairspray for this soldering method to work. :wink:
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: ToneMonkey on August 21, 2007, 09:23:02 AM
I got a Draper iron for Christmas and it's cr@p.  The end bits seem to be off a screawdriver and standard size bits don't fit in.  :evil:  :x  :cry:

Still, I pass all my axes to a man who builds wiring looms for helicopters, he's a lot better at soldering than I am  :wink:
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on August 21, 2007, 02:47:32 PM
So, what did you decide on, hunter?
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: gwEm on August 21, 2007, 07:37:21 PM
+1 on the weller. 2 generations of my family swear by them ;)
Title: Recommend a good soldering iron please
Post by: Nadz1lla on August 21, 2007, 08:22:09 PM
I got this really cheapo thingy from B&Q ages ago. Don't think it has a brand name, but it just does the job. Takes a while to heat up, but after that....plonk the solder on the end, point it at the target and job done, heh.