Soldering kit reccomendations? + extras?

70w may be too hot around IC and some components on PCB if it doesn't have adjustable setting. 35w is a bit on the high side. I have a Radio Shack 15/30w switchable iron, I start in 30w mode to warm it a bit faster then switch to 15 if I'm doing delicate work.

Mind you I'm a novice with iron, the kind that somehow sets the iron stand on fire just by using it to hold my iron. A real expert may get away with 70w soldering a 100+ pins SMD CPU without burning it up.

 

I have the BK2000. I will upgrade to the 2050 eventually. There is no need for normal soldering work, just large grounds that give issues.

 

I started with some Radio Shack brand irons and now use an Elanco brand iron. First job I took on was fixing my old model 2 Genesis. Had to repair the player one port and the power jack. It works like a charm. I broke a PSone trying to put in a modchip even managed to stab the LCD screen that came with it boy was I pissed. Oh well you have you wins and your loses but in the end I still enjoy Soldering as a hobby.

 

I got this one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321082011512

The iron is a clone of a Hakko iron, so you can use Hakko elements and tips with it, AND the hot air gun is the same as the Atten one that Dave on EEVblog likes. Not a bad unit, and the price is certainly right.

 

The bk2000+ and the 2050 are also both hakko clones and take the same tips etc

 

I've had the Hakko 936 clone, Radio Shack iron's (Ive had alot) and the Hakko FX-888 blows me out of the water compared to other ones listed. The FX-888 has a good variety tips you could use and its around the $80-$120 (CDN) price range. I think they have a digital display version now and should be just as good if not better. Flux is a MUST for good quality joints, i like to use pens to add flux to pads and paste for point modding (PS1, PS2 .etc). If you havent been told the necessity's (Extra's) you should get, heres a good list to get you started.

Solder (Try to get 0.015mm diameter solder with a Sn63/Pb37 composition but if theres none around get the smallest you can possible)
Desoldering Braid
Desoldering Pump (The big blue ones, not the mini ones they work like shit)
Flux (Pen)
Flux (Paste/Tube, You dont have to get both but each one i think has its benefits)
Flux Remover/PCB Cleaner (To give the PCB a nice clean after all the flux being used .)
Hot glue gun (If your modding consoles)
30 AWG Kynar wire (UL1423 Type, It has very strong insulation so if you accidently hit the wire with your iron it wont melt off easily)
Some Soldering tips (Chizzle tip 1.2 mm seems to be all purpose for me, id have 0.8mm on the side just in case, and for very fine point soldering and if you absolutely must get a very fine conical tip)
Tweezers (Non-magnetic).
Some sort of magnification
Helping hand (Hold boards into place, Tinning wires etc.)
Desk lamp.
Electrical tape (Colored not black as black attracts heat)
Multi-meter (Always good to check for bridges/shorts before testing your mods)

 

Good list for people who solders or repairs a lot.

 

We'll call it a check list then.

 

for the last 5 years or so, I've been using my Weller WESD51, it's been a great digital iron. I also have the butane powered Weller portable iron and its great for those outside jobs or jobs you can't bring to the workbench.

i used to have an assortment of 15-30 watt cheapo irons, but I decided to invest in a decent iron and the WESD51 has served me very well and it has a good range of different tips from pencil type / thin to large tips. any Weller is a decent iron, but unless you plan to do a lot of work, the cheaper 15-30 watt irons from a place like radio shack should do you well.

 

Damn I been using a 15/35W iron from radio shack from a long time now, a desoldering pump and a flux I bought from DX.com and the other thing I need from radio shack too like the braid, solder etc.

 

Well I ordered the Blackjack 2000+ and a couple tips late today, looking forward to it.
Finally going to have a good tool for projects and repairs.

Now for the waiting game, shouldn't take too long from the UK though.

 

Thanks for this list!
I think there should be a sticked thread like this one to suggest people soldering kits and extras

 

I see no need for 0.15mm solder. I use 0.7mm for pretty much everything and theres 0.4 for the rare time you need something smaller.

 

Radioshack has a nice desoldering iron for the money. Also look into getting an adjustable heat weller soldering iron.