Soldering iron / kit for electronics.

Emmia

Farway said:

Newcad said:

I usually prefer using forceps to tweezers.

Something like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FT1XQ8DP

You can get locking tweezers, but to me forceps give more control - and being more substantial also act as a bit of a heat-sink to help protect whatever component is being held in them.

As for a beginners soldering kit I got a cheapish kit (wired not wirless) from Amazon a couple of years ago to do small electronic repairs, put new microswitches in computer mice, etc. and it's good. (Not a beginner, I bought my first electric soldering iron in 1972 - at the grand age of 12).

If I needed to get another now (I don't) then I like look of this kit, which even includes a multi-meter:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FF9PY8QD

Blimey, how do they do it at the price?

Like you, no beginner, started 1960, so don't need one now, but if I did need one for some small jobs I'd grab that.

I'd imagine unsavoury working conditions, and pay at minimal levels...

When it arrives I'll put it in a box for storage purposes.

Emmia

Thanks for all the advice! I've just done the order with CPC.

matelodave

I'm a bit late here but my advice would be the Antex iron especially until he gets a bit proficient and even then you don't need anything much more sophisticated. 

I still use my 60 year old Weller TCP which has done sterling service since I was at work in the late 60's and is still going strong .Its temperature controlled but not easily adjustable without swapping tips, so it never gets changed. Mine is now like an old friend and I do have a second one, just in case this one eventually dies

In the factory they used Antex irons which were more than adequate for soldering hundreds of PCBs and stuff in the day and they are more than adequate. A minimum of 25Watts and dont bother with a portable or rechargeable unless you really need to do stuff in the garden or the back of the car by the roadside where there's no electricity. There's nothing more frustrating than an underpowered soldering iron (mine is 48W)

Dont go overboard with all the other stuff until he decides what he needs otherwise it will just stay in the box. Needle nosed pliers and a decent set of wire cutters are a must, solder of course plus desoldering braid, some flux and a solder sucker is quite useful. I also use a wire stripper rather than a knife or cutters to prepare wires.

Something to hold your work piece like a helping hand or mini vice helps until you perfect the art of holding stuff, using your second and third fingers to hold solder or components without burning yourself in the process.

Emmia

matelodave said:

I'm a bit late here but my advice would be the Antex iron especially until he gets a bit proficient and even then you don't need anything much more sophisticated. 

I still use my 60 year old Weller TCP which has done sterling service since I was at work in the late 60's and is still going strong .Its temperature controlled but not easily adjustable without swapping tips, so it never gets changed. Mine is now like an old friend and I do have a second one, just in case this one eventually dies

In the factory they used Antex irons which were more than adequate for soldering hundreds of PCBs and stuff in the day and they are more than adequate. A minimum of 25Watts and dont bother with a portable or rechargeable unless you really need to do stuff in the garden or the back of the car by the roadside where there's no electricity. There's nothing more frustrating than an underpowered soldering iron (mine is 48W)

Dont go overboard with all the other stuff until he decides what he needs otherwise it will just stay in the box. Needle nosed pliers and a decent set of wire cutters are a must, solder of course plus desoldering braid, some flux and a solder sucker is quite useful. I also use a wire stripper rather than a knife or cutters to prepare wires.

Something to hold your work piece like a helping hand or mini vice helps until you perfect the art of holding stuff, using your second and third fingers to hold solder or components without burning yourself in the process.

I purchased the Antex XS25 iron, a helping hands, mat, solder, desoldering stuff, tip cleaner, side cutters, reverse action tweezers with a stand that holds those (came as a set!) just need a suitable storage box now.

Farway

Emmia said:

I purchased the Antex XS25 iron, a helping hands, mat, solder, desoldering stuff, tip cleaner, side cutters, reverse action tweezers with a stand that holds those (came as a set!) just need a suitable storage box now.

Not sure if he has them, but, as someone mentioned, safety glasses would be a very useful addition

Emmia

Farway said:

Emmia said:

I purchased the Antex XS25 iron, a helping hands, mat, solder, desoldering stuff, tip cleaner, side cutters, reverse action tweezers with a stand that holds those (came as a set!) just need a suitable storage box now.

Not sure if he has them, but, as someone mentioned, safety glasses would be a very useful addition

We have safely glasses - essential for home DIY in my opinion.

Ayr_Rage

Why not go full OTT H+S, build a shed at the bottom of the garden, fireproof of course and fitted with a filtered fume cupboard.

LOL

Emmia

Ayr_Rage said:

Why not go full OTT H+S, build a shed at the bottom of the garden, fireproof of course and fitted with a filtered fume cupboard.

LOL

If only the garden was big enough...

mksysb

Why not get something like this as well so he can practice his soldering on Christmas Day :-)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronic-Soldering-Electronics-87-108MHz-Beginners-Red/dp/B0FRYY15YD/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZS33RiwwxXVyrO_XIW4Gch616d2O8ucFO53nG4qnLjPjGwLHBD59TT36phCcZwojlH__J7BMCJLYt5LTXlfHIeAXX7_JEOUQsXm-fTUN26LxH4QDMzdmkpXlamvezUfrv2sRyQpElxKfm89CYIuyXtgcs01XUPhpIhlDigAuGaVi4I-5AN9MWG52krUk4otXuHn4nkOoIb8oBL4u5ZYZazgm9lH66EZcOH1UXQk4lrc.gYwIf5CCkReUmWv7IPyw_rdiY4xl5oftu_AsDH_PVV8&dib_tag=se&keywords=soldering+practice+projects&qid=1764943089&sr=8-10

Eldi_Dos

Farway said:

Newcad said:

I usually prefer using forceps to tweezers.

Something like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FT1XQ8DP

You can get locking tweezers, but to me forceps give more control - and being more substantial also act as a bit of a heat-sink to help protect whatever component is being held in them.

As for a beginners soldering kit I got a cheapish kit (wired not wirless) from Amazon a couple of years ago to do small electronic repairs, put new microswitches in computer mice, etc. and it's good. (Not a beginner, I bought my first electric soldering iron in 1972 - at the grand age of 12).

If I needed to get another now (I don't) then I like look of this kit, which even includes a multi-meter:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FF9PY8QD

Blimey, how do they do it at the price?

Like you, no beginner, started 1960, so don't need one now, but if I did need one for some small jobs I'd grab that.

Like you I am sceptical of that price, even if labour was free still sounds to good to be true.

I would be worried it was some sort of scam to get your bank details or lumber you with some sort of import tax.