Reddit mentions of Anbes Soldering Iron Kit 60W Adjustable Temperature Welding Tool, Digital Multimeter, 2pcs Soldering Iron Tips, Desoldering Pump, Wire Stripper Cutter, Tweezers, Iron Stand, 2pcs Electronic Wire

This $20 Kit on Amazon might be goo entry level... I have NO idea if the iron is any god but have seen people use them and they work fine. This one comes with a multimeter for a few bucks more. The tool you will find a lot of use for is that curved tweezer. It can open switches, hold components, pick up clipped resistor/diode leads etc.

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If you have never soldered do NOT let an expensive keyboard be the first time... get some PCB's and resistors and then watch youtube videos of soldering... Pete from 1upkeyboards has tons... you might need to scrub through to get to the soldering or just search youtube for soldering videos. Soldering is not that hard but if you do not know what you are doing it is easy to scew the board up and ruining a board sucks.

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Think twice, solder once... the biggest mistakes are not thinking it through and then you find you soldered the switches and plate BEFORE the stabilizers or the Pro Micro before switches and desoldering is a pita and is easy to burn the pads.

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Try the Sweet16 or the 9Key first. You have to setup the QMK software no matter what so those are nice affordable ways to get a board built fast and then build and flash your firmware.

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Have fun.

Anbes Soldering Iron Kit 60W Adjustable Temperature Welding Tool,Digital Multimeter,2pcs Soldering Iron Tips,Desoldering Pump,Wire Stripper Cutter,Tweezers,Soldering Iron Stand,2pcs Electronic Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073VDX4B7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ejW0CbSGX1M1G

I literally bought my first ever soldering iron a week ago. It was $20 on Amazon and changed out the batteries in all my Pokemon games in less than 5 minutes. Just watch some YouTube tutorials.

I use a cheap Chinese one off amazon . This one Its 60 watt with adjustable temp and came with a kit. Does the job and was cheap. You will also need some no clean solder flux paste and some solder. I wasn't sure if the solder the kit came with was lead free or not ( lead free isn't as good) so I bought my own solder at a hardware store. It's not the greatest set up but it's done me good so far. I am not the most experienced modder on here though. I have only built 2 boxes so far but both turned out well. Just to warn you its hella addictive. I have parts to make like 5 or 6 more boxes already. The hardest part is just getting everything to fit inside the enclosure nice and neatlty. The enclosures look roomy until your trimming down your wiring to finish up soldering. I would say start with something easier so you don't fuck up am expensive board but my first box was an intelligent PWM board and was glad I started on something a bit more technical. I'm finishing up a dual battery squonk with only a mosfet and it's a piece of cake now.

As for your DNA 200. I would have to research myself. I am a YiHi fan. I have 2 SX Mini G Classes so I have never looked into the price of boards. I will look around. So far I found a 200 for $56 on dripp3d.com

So im gonna end up buying this because its going to allow me to check the voltage of the batteries as well plus its better value for my dollar:

https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Iron-Kit-Temperature-Desoldering/dp/B073VDX4B7/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1539553716&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=solder+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51P9eT8SbjL&ref=plSrch#immersive-view_1539553866516

I bought some thinner silver bearing rosin core solder at home depot today b/c the reviews in the listing said that spool was bigger and harder to use for electronics. My girlfriend wouldnt let me get the lead based stuff :/ (not much i can do lol) im also going to order some flux paste from amazon as well since you highly recommended i use it for the job. Then last but not least ive gotta order a battery, although i might get a few, gotta do some more research and find the right one.

Overall i think im gonna be good to go, found some older electronics from storage that im going to practice on and yeah, wouldnt have been as easy without all the info you provided! Thanks again, ill update you on how it all goes but wanted to share what i decided on buying! I’m Super excited to start this little project later week

Thanks for so many suggestions! I won't be doing much out of the ordinary. It's mostly occasional hobby stuff. The most complicated projects I can see myself taking on is the Useless box kit and the Mintypi emulator system, which, from what I've seen, don't seem to require a degree or god levels of skill, time, and precision to complete. Then again, that could just be me overestimating my own skill.

Since it has been a while, I've already submitted my Christmas list to my dad with all the stuff I want, and since we're on a budget I went with this set. It isn't a Hakko by any means, but it looks fine for what I need it for. I will definitely keep those Hakkos in mind, though. I'll be needing an upgrade for when I decide to pick up bigger projects in the future!

I have everything else covered except for the heat resistant mat. I can see it not only protecting my wooden desk, but also containing and solder bits that might fly around if I'm solder sucking away mistakes or oversoldering my iron (I'm so cautious it's unlikely, but you never know). I'll see if I can weasel it in. ;P