• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Soldering Iron?

prsbass

prsbass

Oct 13, 2006
1,020
0
Seattle
#1
I did a search and while I could find that a lot of people use 25-40w irons I only found one brand suggested and it was $500. I'm going to make my own cables, connect speakers, and wire a few controls for basses. What would be the "best band for your buck" iron?
Maybe around $200 + or - $50
I'd like something above the standard cheapies but not $500
 
#4
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#5
Any raidio shack handle with the highest rated element and a chisel tip will be plenty for what you need. I use a Weller pencil iron. Have had it for over 30 years only changed one element in that time. the Mil-Spec solder stations are the real deal but I have to assume you're not going into production? And as I recall I burned out a couple of those babies building fire control panels back in the day.
 
#9
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#10
100 bucks?... since this is not being used for delicate chips and such where exact heat is a HUGE factor, you could get a weller WLC-100 for about 60 bucks...

tips are 2 to a pack and come in all sizes for it. sorry for the crappy cellphone pic..

wellergun.gif

and heres the "helping hands" they are talking about this was 31 bucks
helper.gif
 
#11
Don't spend a lot, it's not necessary (< $75.00). I solder nearly every day at work. We use Weller stations. I can solder guitar/audio related electronics just as professionally with a soldering iron that plugs straight in to the wall (< $20.00) as a solder station set up. No need for anything expensive for soldering to pots and wires. Now for pcb's a station iron is recommended. Best tip for soldering pots and wires is to use flux on anything that will need a lot of heat. ( i prefer liquid flux as opposed to paste).
 
#12
BassScum said:
I solder nearly every day at work. We use Weller stations. I can solder guitar/audio related electronics just as professionally with a soldering iron that plugs straight in to the wall as a solder station set up.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to be rude but doesn't that give you more experience with soldering therefor proving that a better soldering iron might compensate for my inexperience? I don't want to spend a bunch of time perfecting my soldering technique.
 
#13
prsbass said:
I'm not trying to be rude but doesn't that give you more experience with soldering therefor proving that a better soldering iron might compensate for my inexperience? I don't want to spend a bunch of time perfecting my soldering technique.
Click to expand...

I had minimal experience soldering, but had no problem doing a massive re-wiring of my L-2000 using a Radio Shack <$20 straight-into-the-wall soldering iron. You don't need perfect technique for switches & pots...as long as you get a solid joint and no shorts, you're OK. No points awarded for aesthetics here, since it's all hidden in the control cavity anyway.
 
#14
If you are planning on doing some surface mounted work removing or adding resistors, chips, or IC's; then I would suggest a variable regulated unit with a desoldering station.

Since you'll only be doing the work mentioned, then the Weller's that have been suggested will more then suffice for the job.

I'm a licensed HAM operatore (how geeky is that) and have used a good quality Weller iron on a home made base unit do work in some really tricky and pricey transeceivers.
 
#15
millahh said:
I had minimal experience soldering, but had no problem doing a massive re-wiring of my L-2000 using a Radio Shack <$20 straight-into-the-wall soldering iron. You don't need perfect technique for switches & pots...as long as you get a solid joint and no shorts, you're OK. No points awarded for aesthetics here, since it's all hidden in the control cavity anyway.
Click to expand...

If you're soldering once or twice for a specific project, then yes, the cheapies will more than suffice. If you're planning on soldering with any sort of regularity, however, having a nice soldering stataion makes a world of difference. If I had to do all of the soldering that I do at work with a Radio Shack Special it would not be nearly as easy. It's hard to explain, but once you've used a really nice soldering station it's tough to go back to anything else.
 
#18
A better soldering iron will not compensate for lack of experience soldering. If you haven't done it before, you will burn yourself, at least once, will probably melt something, and might light something on fire on "accident" :bassist:. Just get a 40-60w soldering iron and some high silver content low melting point solder and you should be good. Radioshack should sell everything that you need to get going, except maybe the solder (I buy mine from partsexpress.com) definitley get a wick or desoldering vacuum and remember that if the solder joint isn't shiny (wet), it isn't any good, do it again. Remember to heat up where you want the solder to flow (don't push solder onto the tip) or you will get a cold (dry) solder joint.
 
#19
SuperDuck said:
If you're soldering once or twice for a specific project, then yes, the cheapies will more than suffice. If you're planning on soldering with any sort of regularity, however, having a nice soldering stataion makes a world of difference. If I had to do all of the soldering that I do at work with a Radio Shack Special it would not be nearly as easy. It's hard to explain, but once you've used a really nice soldering station it's tough to go back to anything else.
Click to expand...

I don't know... I had no problem going from the fancy weller stations at the bench back to my Radio Shack and Craftsman cheapo soldering irons for field work and even now bench work.

I'm currently a fan of the Craftsman one http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ssories&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

This does cables well, and handles soldering on to tone/volume pots just fine. I prefer a chisel tip, purchased separately. Used at a bench, it should last a long time.
 
#20
prsbass said:
I'm not trying to be rude but doesn't that give you more experience with soldering therefor proving that a better soldering iron might compensate for my inexperience? I don't want to spend a bunch of time perfecting my soldering technique.
Click to expand...

It won't take any longer to learn on a cheap iron then an expensive one. I was trying to stress not to spend a lot of money on an expensive iron for soldering mainly wiring and pots.

I've used this and it works just fine for beginners or advanced.

do.Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back