Soldering Iron

[Franco]

Right its about time I bought a soldering iron as I need to hack some N64 ports.

As always, ebay is worth a look for such purchases.

A quick search brought up this:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=28057&item=4368245751&rd=1

Do you think it will be decent enough? Bear in mind its only once in a blue moon I will need to do some soldering. Or is it worth spending a little more and getting a higher quality one?

Im after a iron, stand and desoldering pump.

Any advice would be great!

[bowza]

Given that you are asking the question I take it you have not done much soldering / de soldering.

That will be fine for most wire jobs.

I would not like to use it on ic components etc

But yes it will do for those once in a blue moon jobs.

Regards

Bowza

[RayB]

I still use the cheap $7 Radio Shack iron I bought 10 years ago.

[cholin]

Yeah Im gonna have to say go Radioshack if you have it.  I don't support them at all, but if you can just drive there and pick one up for <10 bucks, then its no big deal where you get it.  Look for ~15watts because those were made for ICs and electronics.  Higher wattages irons (and guns) are made more for connecting metal.

[JoyMonkey]

If you're in the UK it'll be hard to find a RadioShack. Find your nearest Maplins Electronics and take a look at them. You can pick up a good quality soldering kit for 20squid. That one on eBay is most likely junk.

[Stingray]

I still use the cheap $7 Radio Shack iron I bought 10 years ago.

Me too.

-S

[Craig]

Looking at that soldering iron, the tip looks sort of big. Avoid getting irons with big tips. They are a pain to properly solder with.

[ShinAce]

That iron will do fine for jobs with bigger pieces.
If you want to solder fine wires and components(resistors, caps, ...), you'll need something with a fine tip and less heat than 30 watts. Maybe 25, preferably 20.

[Craig]

I should also add that buying a good brand temp controlled one is a good idea too. It would likely last you the rest of your life if you don't use it every day ;-)