Soldering Iron?

[prsbass]

Understood. I have an idea. It might be amusing to think about what you could set yourself up with on a $200 budget. Soldering is often less than half of the job. Getting stuff apart without damage can be more of a challenge. For this reason, your budget might justify a temp controlled soldering station like the Hakko, a decent de-soldering pump, some solder wick, fine stainless tweezers, a good quality magnifying glass, good solder with "no clean" flux, and safety glasses. Those are my weapons of choice on most repair and prototyping projects.

Thanks for the very valuable suggestion. The seems like a list of stuff that could come in handy.

 

[dannster]

I like my Antex irons. I bought them on eBay from the importer.
I have a 15w and a 50w.
They are made in England and don't cost an arm and a leg.

http://stores.ebay.com/Antex-USA

 

[4Mal]

I use the Rat Shack station myself, change the tip's occaisionally and it works - my gripe is the fairly long heat up time and the fairly stiff power cable - that itself is a reason to upgrade ...

truth is that more than anything else - you probably need practictice... there really isn't anysubstitue for having logged the hours making cables - that last one you make is generally the best one ...

I have a plate with female 1/4 ", XLR and male XLR penel mounts attached. I clamp that to my bench when making cables. Having the jig helps - a lot.

 

[prsbass]

I have a plate with female 1/4 ", XLR and male XLR penel mounts attached. I clamp that to my bench when making cables. Having the jig helps - a lot.

Great idea