Reddit mentions of Kester 44 Solder Wire, 63/37 0.020-in, RMA Rosin, 3/4-ounce Tube

It looks like you have a decent soldering station, that is really the main thing. You'll need a small tip, but probably not as small as you think. I like the Weller ETL, but a ~2mm screwdriver style tip works well for SMD in my experience. If you go too small it can actually cause trouble for heat transfer and thermal recovery.

If you've mostly been doing through-hole stuff, you'll want smaller solder. Having small diameter solder makes it easier to feed just the right amount. I like Kester 0.020, some people go even smaller. Of course there are lead-free versions of that, too, if you prefer.

For through-hole, the flux that is inside the solder is usually enough, but for surface mount, you'll need extra flux. You'll probably be fine with a flux pen. You'll probably want some solder wick because mistakes happen, and a solder sucker thingie doesn't work as well with surface mount.

As u/t_Lancer says, you won't need a hot air station and solder paste unless you're planning on doing leadless packages. If you decide to get a hot air station, though, they're pretty cheap. You don't even strictly need solder paste, I've been making do by tinning the pads with regular solder first with my soldering iron before hitting it with the hot air.

For vision, it depends on how your eyesight is. I'm fine eyeballing down to 0603 but I can't read the markings without help. I've started doing all of my soldering under light magnification with the Optivisor DA-3 with a LED attachment which has really helped, but it isn't strictly necessary. You can get those visors with more magnification at the cost of a shorter working distance. Good room lighting and a magnifying glass work fine, too.

And most important thing you need is practice. Watch this video and grab one or two of those SMD practice kits and you'll be knocking out surface mount stuff in no time.

+1 for kester 63/37 I like the .020 size

Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .020" 3/4oz Dispense-Pak http://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Dispense-Pak/dp/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1395671772&sr=1-7&keywords=kester+44


Desoldering Wick - 2mm http://www.amazon.com/Aven-17541-Desoldering-Wick-Width/dp/B003E48ERK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395672458&sr=8-3&keywords=desoldering+braid


No Clean Flux Paste http://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Clean-Paste-Syringe/dp/B00425FUW2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395672365&sr=8-2&keywords=flux

Solder Tip Cleaner

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-599B-02-Solder-Cleaning-Holder/dp/B00FZPGDLA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395673163&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+tip+cleaner

Which ones did you get? Buy the smallest diameter solder you can. This works great Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .020" 3/4oz Dispense-Pak https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WEWlDbJ4VFMPW

Also I find the cheaper longer ones much easier to solder as long as your board has the clearance for them.

This or maybe a slightly smaller diameter. It was recommended to me by another /u/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like you've started down the road to learning how to make your own cables, and you need some guidance while you're practicing.


This page has a nice picture of good, bad and ugly results. Yours are not bad for a beginner but ... ugly.


This set of search results will provide lots of information. Read as much as you can.


Here's what I use for guitar cable soldering tools. The links are for explanation. You don't have to get them at Amazon. An electronics store will have them. You may decide it's less expensive to buy the patch cables. But, if you are a do it yourself type, the tools will pay for themselves.

Weller 25W iron Get some extra chisel tips. They get destroyed quickly by noobs.


Helping hands


Wire stripper


Solder sucker


Brass wool solder iron cleaner


63/37/resin core .6mm solder

I use this as well as some .04" 60/40.

I'm almost ready to start soldering my custom keyboard. However I wanted to check and make sure that my solder/ soldering iron combo is okay for a keyboard. This is my iron and [this]
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is the solder I got.

The iron isn't adjustable and it says

"up to 925.F"

and the solder says

"Solder iron tip temperatures between 315-371°C (600-700°F)"

Is this gonna be okay, or should I get an adjustable temp iron? Thanks for any help.

Kester is the best brand .02" diameter.
https://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Dispense-Pak/dp/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=kester+solder&link_code=qs&qid=1562729149&s=gateway&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-11

solder

I keep the heat almost all the way down. My kit is actually slightly different here and came with a stand, sponge, and the tweezers are SUPER useful