Soldering

DON73
DON73 Posts: 516
edited January 2011 in Electronics
I have a couple of crossovers for Monitor 7s that I'd like to upgrade. I'd like to do it myself but I'm not an expert at soldering. I have an old pistol grip soldering iron and I think I could do better with better tools. I know a lot of you do this type of work and I'd like your advice on a good iron and the proper size tip to use. Thanks.
TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
Post edited by DON73 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2011
    You can't beat this deal for the casual user. It comes with 5 tips and variable heat. I have put a lot of hours on mine with no issues. I gave a few away as gifts to fellow Polkies. I know a lot of people here will scoff at it because it is not a Weller, and it is very inexpressive, but for someone not running it every day for there job it is plenty fine. Read the reviews and ignore the ignoramuses that will put it down without ever using this particular model.
    Ben
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=374-100

    Edit:Youtube has some great resources on how to solder. Practice on something else first. Do one XO at a time, and don't cut the legs on any components till you have completed the XO.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2011
    ++ That iron for the money.

    Go to Goodwill and pick up some electronics to practice on. Good suggestion on Youtube for some how to videos.

    You will want to practice de-soldering also just so you can recover from a goof.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2011
    Great soldering tutorials

    http://www.tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited January 2011
    Get the solder station or one like it with variable heat. Start out at the lower heats and practice tinning and then joining on some old or cheap parts for practice. Also, you might want to pick up a solder sucker and some braid for desoldering.

    Once you get your solder station, you will probably never use your gun again.

    Scott
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,018
    edited January 2011
    I have an old pistol grip soldering iron

    Do not use that solder gun, way too much heat for circuit boards.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited January 2011
    I ordered the tool you recommended Ben. Thanks for the tutorial and you-tube recommendations. The pistol grip iron I have is a pita trying to get it to heat up and stay hot. I'm pretty sure it's too hot and the tip is way too big for the job I want to do. I really do appreciate the help!
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter