I am wanting to start doing my own work in replacing capacitors, installing upgrade boards, other restoration of old audio gear, etc. So I need some gear. I have previously worked on connecting power supplies and jacks on guitars, and replaced pickups in a strat, though my soldering was a mess. Got it to work well eventually after cleaning it up. In the pic below is the gear I currently have. A cheap Chinese solder gun that I purchased from a guitar pedal building site, with not very precise temperature settings, that holder magnifier extra hand thing, which needs to be mounted on something to stand up better when I am working, as it tends to fall over, that solder sucker thing, and that solder. Worked well enough for my former projects, but I always felt like I was not controlling the temp very effectively.
Was thinking about getting a used, good basic professional solder gun at least, and anything else I need for a basic kit. Also, I am looking at online courses or info for soldering techniques so I can improve that before working on anything I really care about. My goals are upgrades of Hafler amps and pre-amps, recapping, old receivers, etc., rebuilding speaker crossovers such as in my old Dahlquists, etc., recapping or etc. in old turntables, etc. And it looks like there are practice kits you can get online, and I have a couple old receivers that are not worth much I could start with after a little study/practice, that if I can get right, I will give away as gifts to someone who wants a little system. And if I don’t get it right at first, I can work to fix it, or it won’t be the end of the world if these pieces end up unusable after my practice.
So, can anyone help me with upgrading my kit? I will also add some really good lighting, as my eyes need it, and getting that Helping Hand magnifier set up right will be key.
Thanks in advance.
Was thinking about getting a used, good basic professional solder gun at least, and anything else I need for a basic kit. Also, I am looking at online courses or info for soldering techniques so I can improve that before working on anything I really care about. My goals are upgrades of Hafler amps and pre-amps, recapping, old receivers, etc., rebuilding speaker crossovers such as in my old Dahlquists, etc., recapping or etc. in old turntables, etc. And it looks like there are practice kits you can get online, and I have a couple old receivers that are not worth much I could start with after a little study/practice, that if I can get right, I will give away as gifts to someone who wants a little system. And if I don’t get it right at first, I can work to fix it, or it won’t be the end of the world if these pieces end up unusable after my practice.
So, can anyone help me with upgrading my kit? I will also add some really good lighting, as my eyes need it, and getting that Helping Hand magnifier set up right will be key.
Thanks in advance.