Newb to DIY audio, but I have experience soldering and think I do a reasonable job.
Long story short, everything was I storage after divorce and move, storage unit burglarized and everything is gone. All tools, car, bicycle, electronic, etc.
Finally getting to a point to start working on audio projects, so I need a new soldering station, desoldering, etc. I'm just a part time hobbyist, so price is an issue. <$100 for soldering station is preferred ($75 or under would be ideal), will need desoldering and pretty much everything to start.
I've been looking at this soldering station...
T12-959 Soldering Station Iron Kit, LCD Screen with T12 Soldering Iron Tips, Automatic Standby-Automatically Wake up, for Electronic Repairing With ILS JL02 KU BL BC1 tip (SET5) https://a.co/d/7opEkWq
But what other equipment would be considered bare essentials? Links appreciated.
Cheers!
-Alex
Long story short, everything was I storage after divorce and move, storage unit burglarized and everything is gone. All tools, car, bicycle, electronic, etc.
Finally getting to a point to start working on audio projects, so I need a new soldering station, desoldering, etc. I'm just a part time hobbyist, so price is an issue. <$100 for soldering station is preferred ($75 or under would be ideal), will need desoldering and pretty much everything to start.
I've been looking at this soldering station...
T12-959 Soldering Station Iron Kit, LCD Screen with T12 Soldering Iron Tips, Automatic Standby-Automatically Wake up, for Electronic Repairing With ILS JL02 KU BL BC1 tip (SET5) https://a.co/d/7opEkWq
But what other equipment would be considered bare essentials? Links appreciated.
Cheers!
-Alex
My advice: Don't buy cheap tools. Get a good temperature controlled soldering iron. A Weller TCP or WTCP should be possible to find on the used market for below $100. Replace the tip (if needed) and you're good to go. A good pair of side cutters and needle nose pliers will be necessary too.
Get a good multimeter such as a Fluke 70-series, 80-series, or the new (and quite affordable) 100-series.
Tom
Get a good multimeter such as a Fluke 70-series, 80-series, or the new (and quite affordable) 100-series.
Tom
I already have the hand tools like side cutters an DMM. Its primarily the soldering station im after. Usage will likely be <10 a year. No need for a real professional unit.
I can buy more expensive units, but I'm looking for beginner hobbyist level equipment.
I’d buy ”beginner level” only if I weren’t sure I‘d be sticking with the hobby. If you’re reasonably sure you’ll stay with it long enough to advance past beginner, you might as well get the good tool up front (and have a better chance of selling it if you lose interest).
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<10/year? 10 days? 10 hours? 10 months?
Seriously. Buy a good soldering iron. A Weller TCP or WTCP can be had on [THAT AUCTION SITE] for less than $100. It'll be far better than any of the cheap crap on the market. The TCP I bought in 1988 is still going strong. This after daily use for 12 years, 8 years in storage, and then 4-5 years with daily use before I scored a METCAL MX-500. The Weller has seen only sporadic use since then, but I still have it and it still works every bit as good as it did when I bought it.
Buying a good tool hurts once: When you buy it. Buying a cheap tool hurts every time you use it.
Tom
Looking at a basic weller, is 5-30 watt sufficient for most audio related work? Or should I get the 20-80w model?
I started with a <50.– soldering-station and build a DCB1, a F4 and a Bugle2 phono. Worked quite good but I kept drooling for a better station (for the fun, the greed, vanity, and the SMD-projects). Got a reasonable one for a lot of money and am happy, but this beginner-tool was ok too.
The true masters here keep telling to just stick with a good iron, no need for a $$$-station...
If you'll build PSUs and such beasts, get the 20-80W.
For tiny stuff the 5-30W will be sufficient.
The true masters here keep telling to just stick with a good iron, no need for a $$$-station...
If you'll build PSUs and such beasts, get the 20-80W.
For tiny stuff the 5-30W will be sufficient.
I found a good price and ordered a weller WLC100. Got some extra tips because it comes with a flat tip only. Seems to be a reasonable unit that should last me a long while.
That Weller will do, I've had that one and two very similar versions over a 10-year period - recently stepped up like others have said and MUCH happier (cost me more in the long-run). That said, I use it once a week on average and the main place I notice a difference is desoldering, where you need to get in and get out quickly so you don't overheat the pad/trace. If you are mainly soldering and doing what I call "first time soldering" the one you bought will be fine and last you for years.
Hi,
if You can afford something ´final´ then have a look at JBC Soldering. At work we never regretted one single second to have changed from Wellers to JBCs.
If You´re on a budged something used or something similar to the JBC might be Your best choice.
The T12 irons are using a similar fast heating system as JBC though not as refined.
There are chinese copies of the JBCs around ... of course much cheaper and some of them rightout crap (safety issues), some of them quite well done, even allowing to use original JBC tips (last longer and generally better build quality).
Here´s a link to a thread on EEVBlog of the quite well bespoken Aixun T3, that allows to use original JBC-tips and hand pieces.
jauu
Calvin
if You can afford something ´final´ then have a look at JBC Soldering. At work we never regretted one single second to have changed from Wellers to JBCs.
If You´re on a budged something used or something similar to the JBC might be Your best choice.
The T12 irons are using a similar fast heating system as JBC though not as refined.
There are chinese copies of the JBCs around ... of course much cheaper and some of them rightout crap (safety issues), some of them quite well done, even allowing to use original JBC tips (last longer and generally better build quality).
Here´s a link to a thread on EEVBlog of the quite well bespoken Aixun T3, that allows to use original JBC-tips and hand pieces.
jauu
Calvin
If your stuff might get nicked again then maybe expensive stuff should be avoided unless you get insurance ?
I bought a second hand analogue scope for £45
A signal generator for £25.
A few hand tools.
A £20 DMM.
For SMD I have a hot air system which was £18 from China.
I bought a second hand analogue scope for £45
A signal generator for £25.
A few hand tools.
A £20 DMM.
For SMD I have a hot air system which was £18 from China.