Hacking best soldering iron?

[sasuke_kun12]

I have a 25 watt. Is that good enough for a gamecube installation? or will i fry out my GC?

cheers

 

[skawo96]

Good. I've been using 30Watt for wii and it is fine.

 

[SenorClean]

25 will be OK so long as you have a good, fine tip.

I made a bit of a mess of mine initially with a 25w and crappy tip - fixed it up with a 13w pencil tip.

 

[skawo96]

If you're scared, just buy 15watt

 

[teq]

For ICs, it's recommended that you use 15w or less. You really don't need much for trace work.

Also, avoid Cold Heat soldering irons.

 

[sasuke_kun12]

i just bougt a nice conical tip today. Hey SenorClean Do you know where i could get 15watt soldering irons? closest i got is 17 watt dick smith

 

[SenorClean]

I got mine from Jaycar.

It's a 13W Goot - very nice.. was $39 iirc.

EDIT: Here's the one I got -> http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...=&SUBCATID=

... and a better photo of it

 

[sasuke_kun12]

wow! s#$@! Thats expensive but a worthy investment

 

[littlestevie]

0.o wow people actually do mods with those irons?


i have a 400W base station iron but they are hell expencive for the purpose u are intending

 

[SenorClean]

wow! s#$@! Thats expensive but a worthy investment

Well, at that stage I had a bricked drive.... so the choice was $40 on a new iron, or $180 on a new drive - which I'd also risk bricking

Having a decent-ish iron has helped inspire me to pick up other projects too.

 

[killplaystation]

If you're scared, just buy 15watt

Too low a wattage can make the process harder. 15's not too too bad but stay away from 10.... 25 is good from a professional stand point

 

[deadrabbit]

Antex all the way!

http://www.antex.co.uk/product.asp?strPare...80&P_ID=965

and you can use the 0.12mm replacement bit for chip legs too!

 

[teq]

Too low a wattage can make the process harder. 15's not too too bad but stay away from 10.... 25 is good from a professional stand point

Uh, not when you're soldering legs of ICs.

25 watts only good for desoldering, as you can usually get the IC off in one swoop. In fact, with 25 watts, you can easily tin 8 gauge wire.


Try to do a little research if you're not sure about something... we don't want to melt his board.

 

[TLSpartan]

I got mine from Jaycar.

It's a 13W Goot - very nice.. was $39 iirc.

EDIT: Here's the one I got -> http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...=&SUBCATID=

... and a better photo of it

Exact same one as me(got it half price since I use to work there

) Heats up quick as well and the point is very small as well

 

[sasuke_kun12]

my b-dais around the corner. July 9 I'm 18. Yipee! I think i'm gonna ask for a soldering iron and station since my hobby is electronics. Woop! Hey TLSpartan, which Jaycar and when did u quit? I might've seen you around

 

[Xeronage]

I have a 15W Soldering Station, 0.2mm tip, great for IC work! (You can't fry the board even if you tried!)

 

[TLSpartan]

my b-dais around the corner. July 9 I'm 18. Yipee! I think i'm gonna ask for a soldering iron and station since my hobby is electronics. Woop! Hey TLSpartan, which Jaycar and when did u quit? I might've seen you around

Hey Tim

Frankston Jaycar in Victoria. I quit months ago (forget when)

 

[sasuke_kun12]

frankston! Wow i live on the other side of the city! and i think OSW lives closer to me

 

[Prime]

What soldering 'bit' is recommend?

 

[Xeronage]

As small as possible I'd say, 0.2mm works really well (and for chip leg work, please get a magnifying glass)