Hi guys, So I'm wanting to do a little soldering to fix two broken controllers and I don't own a soldering kit, can anyone suggest which kind I should buy or which is the best type for Xbox modding in general as I've never done it before and haven't got a clue where to begin.. Thanks
Where are you from, and whats your budget? Most people will just recommend a 15-25Watt from RadioShack, but considering how cheap temperature controlled/limiting soldering irons have gotten I will rather go for that, as Ive been using a real cheapy similar to the one in the link for the past several weeks, as a portable, and it works fairly well. If your in it for the long run get this weller as a bare minimum. Or if your looking for a cheap station that you can use for 5-10 hours a day,6days a week for several years, get a Magnum 2004, but I have no idea who sells them in the UK/US. PS Don't buy cheap solder, get good 0.5mm-0.8mm resin core lead based solder,or if you have a really precise temperature controlled iron, go for lead free with the correct tip.
I actually bought this(link) kit a couple of months ago and it is great for an entry level iron. Make sure you get decent solder and flux and you should be go to go for the time being :friendly_wink:
Thanks for the great replies guys! Really have been helpful so far! And as for my location, I live on the UK and I'm after something very cheap as I don't have a lot of money ATM. I've seen something cheap on eBay for a few pounds but I doubt it's any good. I only need it for use a few times as I can't see me using it much other than the odd repair..
The hakko clones on eBay are a good cheap choice, since you can use the standard hakko tips with them. Search through the previous threads on this subject, iirc bad ad posted some good suggestions
Okay guys, I've managed to find this on eBay with your suggestions of getting a replica hakko http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320876002276?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 does that appear to be okay? And yes, a sticky with all this info among other things would be great! And I'd be happy to give some of the sites I've used to help fill it if needed.. Sorry that isn't even a hakko..that's a standard 15w iron. The hakkos are a higher watt, does that matter?
You'd want something similar to this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Sold...cal_Test_Equipment&hash=item232adbb621&_uhb=1
Looks good! But I don't have that kind of money spare ATM! That's why I was looking to see if the cheaper one I posted would do the job for simply soldering wires to fix my controller and some other potential small mods..?
Reason why I recommend those stations is one, the variable heat, and two easier to find tips for. Those straight to outlet irons are really not that good. You will need an iron with a super fine tip. In the past I had one of those standalone irons, and they are pretty crap unless you get a good brand. I'd save up for the hakko clone station.
Okay thanks for the info! I really appreciate it . I'm going to do as you suggested and try to find one of those . Seems like I would work out better for me to get one recommended by you guys
I'll just chip in with my opinion on my preferred iron of choice, it was a cheap iron from a local computer shop. US / JPN type socket, not really suitable for Australia as the prongs are different. So what did I do? Just bent the prongs so they fit better. Here's the kicker, turns out it is a Hakko! 40W of the best heat a soldering iron can output. It's the type with the phillips head screw securing in the tip. Probably not the best, but certainly my favourite. I can change the tip to whatever I need! It's almost always on pointy-mode though for fine soldering. nthego: One day I'll probably get a nice temperature controlled one, until then, the iron tells me what heat to use. I have no say in the matter at all! :biggrin-new:
Ha! I wouldn't have even thought that bending the prongs would work! Good that it does though! And that it's a hakko! I've found this one on eBay but I honestly don't know enough about them to know it it will do the job..hopefully someone on here can tell me http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Variable-...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item1c30a3a3d2
Looks like it will do the job, I've got no idea about all the other things, tips, etc. 48W should be plenty to work with though! I wish I had a fancy stand... my iron always burns the desk! :smile-new:... or my arm! :topsy_turvy:
Yeah that's the problem, people say that it should be 15w (or around that) but the one I linked is more powerful than that but has a temp controller..so don't know if that evens it out and yeah as for the tips, I haven't a clue either lol. And ouch!! I bet that scars! I can see me doing something like that tbh :-/
Hahaha, worst I did was step on it once... That left a nasty burn! Feet aren't as quick to react as hands and fingers! :biggrin-new: 15W? That's peanuts! I've got a few soldering irons, 25W is the lowest rated one I have. Feels like it takes too long to heat solder though. The 40W just cuts through it like butter, soft butter. Actually more like margarine! Still a temperature controller gives you a range, which is better than owning multiple irons... I suppose...! * runs off to sit on nest of soldering irons *
Well I think I've found the one I want now..it's 30w and comes with the small tip needed for the repairs I will be carrying out. It also comes with the little stand and some lead free solder . I'm hoping it will be up to the job..there are many reviews for the product from people who have used it for similar things though and they state it worked fine
I haven't burnt myself yet actually, ever even when not knowing anything about the irons. It will happen so enough though, sometimes you just get too close to what you're doing. Soldering is fun though, make sure you use leaded solder too, lead-free solder takes forever to melt.
Ha well fingers crossed that I won't cause myself any damage I am actually looking forward to using the soldering iron to fix up my controllers, it's something I've always wanted to do..learn how to solder that is, not fix broken controllers lol. And thanks for the tip! I'll pick some of that up after I buy the iron
