klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 15, 2016 19:20:02 GMT -5
So, I have a fair amount of soldering experience over the past 40 years. But, I have aged, my eyes have aged, my skills have degraded over the years due to lack of practice, and soldering technology has evolved. I even see cordless/battery powered, but I don't see that as essential for me...don't plan to solder in the woods, for example!
I am likely to build a tube amp after the New Year, and I need advice on soldering equipment. I have 2 very basic soldering irons of fixed power. I see there are some pretty trick options for variable power soldering irons, and I could easily spend over $100 for some of them. And, there are some pretty cool devices to hold parts under a magnifying glass as I solder.
Questions:
1) Do I need a variable power soldering iron? If I build something, it is likely a Bob Latino M125 pair, FYI.
2) Any advice on good/bad options to aid aging eyes in the "parts holding while soldering and trying to see" category?
Mark
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Nov 15, 2016 19:36:41 GMT -5
I can well relate to ageing maturing gracefully! Given your experience with soldering, and assuming that you don't intend to do a lot of it, I wouldn't think that a fancy iron is called for, Just be mindful to sink the heat away as soon as the solder melts. I find touching the side of an Xacto knife blade does that well. Tweezers will do. Obviously keep cleaning the tip of the iron frequently. I use a ball of iron wool to gently clean it between uses (i.e. remove any excess solder between each joint soldered). I will recommend a basic gizmo that holds parts in croc clips under a magnifying lens. One can never have too many hands, and yours would be busy holding the iron and feeding solder to the intended joints. Some are intended for the purpose and not expensive: >>linky<< |
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Post by monkumonku on Nov 15, 2016 20:48:33 GMT -5
So, I have a fair amount of soldering experience over the past 40 years. But, I have aged, my eyes have aged, my skills have degraded over the years due to lack of practice, and soldering technology has evolved. I even see cordless/battery powered, but I don't see that as essential for me...don't plan to solder in the woods, for example! I am likely to build a tube amp after the New Year, and I need advice on soldering equipment. I have 2 very basic soldering irons of fixed power. I see there are some pretty trick options for variable power soldering irons, and I could easily spend over $100 for some of them. And, there are some pretty cool devices to hold parts under a magnifying glass as I solder. Questions: 1) Do I need a variable power soldering iron? If I build something, it is likely a Bob Latino M125 pair, FYI. 2) Any advice on good/bad options to aid aging eyes in the "parts holding while soldering and trying to see" category? Mark On the advice of Audiobill when I was going to build my ST-120, I purchased this Hakko: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANZRT4M/Worked just great, no regrets. Absolutely worth it. Also got a magnifying glass, and this gadget to hold the circuit board while soldering: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2TTQEE/ |
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Post by vcautokid on Nov 15, 2016 20:58:09 GMT -5
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 15, 2016 21:00:18 GMT -5
monkumonkuDoes the magnifying glass stand on its own? Or mount to one's head? The bifocals are not cutting it and I need 2 hands free! Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 15, 2016 21:04:49 GMT -5
I can well relate to ageing maturing gracefully! Given your experience with soldering, and assuming that you don't intend to do a lot of it, I wouldn't think that a fancy iron is called for, Just be mindful to sink the heat away as soon as the solder melts. I find touching the side of an Xacto knife blade does that well. Tweezers will do. Obviously keep cleaning the tip of the iron frequently. I use a ball of iron wool to gently clean it between uses (i.e. remove any excess solder between each joint soldered). I will recommend a basic gizmo that holds parts in croc clips under a magnifying lens. One can never have too many hands, and yours would be busy holding the iron and feeding solder to the intended joints. Some are intended for the purpose and not expensive: >>linky<<It looks like the clips are on expandable poles. Correct? And, even if the clips can't hold what I need, it looks like the magnifying glass could be tailored to see a big board. Correct? Mark |
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Post by monkumonku on Nov 15, 2016 21:07:09 GMT -5
monkumonkuDoes the magnifying glass stand on its own? Or mount to one's head? The bifocals are not cutting it and I need 2 hands free! Mark No, I got a set that had handles because I didn't want to be like the picture below.  Actually what Hemster recommended looks useful but I just used the glass to get a better idea of what needed to be done, or else read the fine print or make sure about the color of the bands on the resistors.  |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Nov 15, 2016 21:16:08 GMT -5
I can well relate to ageing maturing gracefully! Given your experience with soldering, and assuming that you don't intend to do a lot of it, I wouldn't think that a fancy iron is called for, Just be mindful to sink the heat away as soon as the solder melts. I find touching the side of an Xacto knife blade does that well. Tweezers will do. Obviously keep cleaning the tip of the iron frequently. I use a ball of iron wool to gently clean it between uses (i.e. remove any excess solder between each joint soldered). I will recommend a basic gizmo that holds parts in croc clips under a magnifying lens. One can never have too many hands, and yours would be busy holding the iron and feeding solder to the intended joints. Some are intended for the purpose and not expensive: >>linky<<It looks like the clips are on expandable poles. Correct? And, even if the clips can't hold what I need, it looks like the magnifying glass could be tailored to see a big board. Correct? Mark I'm not sure if the poles are expandable but they do rotate so you can maneuver to your need. The magnifying glass is a real boon but I don't use the battery powered LED light. I use a regular table light which is way more powerful. I also don't need my reading glasses when working with tiny components. About the only time I can get by without the wretched thing. Very annoying as I got Lasik a few years back so I wouldn't have to wear eyeglasses. |
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 15, 2016 21:58:27 GMT -5
I second monkumonku on the Hakko. It does look like a toy but when you get you will see is a true heavy duty piece. |
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Post by boomzilla on Nov 15, 2016 22:39:22 GMT -5
Harbor Freight:  |
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Post by knucklehead on Nov 16, 2016 1:47:18 GMT -5
I've had this Weller soldering station for quite a few years now. It works great and heats up fast. I've soldered laptop motherboards around the power sockets and removed and replaced soldered in batteries with the standard tip. Like Hempster I also use a table mounted magnifying glass - it has a florescent ring light for closeup views on delicate work. I've done soldering since I was in the USN as an Sonar electronics tech. There weren't all that many printed circuits in the mid 60's as we have now. I also did a lot of soldering on military gear as a civilian. The Weller is a pretty decent bargain IMO. It seems to hold the heat right where you put it. Important for working around electronics. Get a good tip cleaner - it'll make life easier for you and the tip. |
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Post by jackpine on Nov 16, 2016 3:06:49 GMT -5
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Post by audiobill on Nov 16, 2016 5:37:53 GMT -5
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 16, 2016 6:14:45 GMT -5
Thanks all....great leads! My birthday is coming up and you just helped create my wish list!
Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 16, 2016 6:50:19 GMT -5
One more question for the guys who have built a Bob Latino tube amp...so monkumonku and audiobill...with the Hakko, it looks like it comes with 1 tip but you can buy other tips of varying sizes and shapes. Do you find the one that comes with it sufficient for what it takes to built one of the Latino kits? Thanks! Mark |
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Post by audiobill on Nov 16, 2016 8:23:34 GMT -5
The supplied tip is perfect.
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Post by monkumonku on Nov 16, 2016 9:59:04 GMT -5
One more question for the guys who have built a Bob Latino tube amp...so monkumonku and audiobill...with the Hakko, it looks like it comes with 1 tip but you can buy other tips of varying sizes and shapes. Do you find the one that comes with it sufficient for what it takes to built one of the Latino kits? Thanks! Mark I just used the one tip and it worked fine. I asked Bill the same question before I started mine, haha.. and he gave me the same answer. |
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 16, 2016 17:30:19 GMT -5
Yes the provided tip is just fine to complete the whole thing.
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