Reddit mentions of Weller SP23LK 25-Watt Soldering Iron

It’s a part from this soldering kit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WELLER-SP23LK-25-Watt-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0009ZD2AG

That is for car stereos. It will drop blobs of solder on the board and ruin it. You need one specifically for circuit boards. Weller is a little higher quality and still inexpensive. But you might consider a soldering station.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP23LK-25-Watt-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0009ZD2AG/ref=sr_1_8/178-0341211-8873629?ie=UTF8&qid=1426782390&sr=8-8&keywords=circuit+board+soldering+kit


Soldering Station
http://soldering-store.com/

I would not generally use a soldering gun for circuit boards.

Here's a 12w iron on amazon.com. Only $13. Weller is a good brand.

This 25w kit seems to include a small roll of solder. For electronics, you want something like 60/40 rosin core. I've used Kester brand solder since 1970. I'm happy with it.

If you also need to remove solder, get a sucker and some desoldering wick. Wick comes in different widths; order various widths, or guess at the optimal width for your circuit boards.

That soldering iron heats to 925 degrees F according to the packaging, and about 650 to 750 degrees is more appropriate for PCB work. However, if you're quick you could probably get away with using it. You shouldn't be holding the iron to anything on the PCB for "a few seconds". Also, your solder wire (which I can see in the picture of your iron) is too thick. What is it, 0.062"? 0.020 to 0.025" is ideal for most PCB work, and I wouldn't go any bigger than 0.032".

You don't need an adjustable temperature iron. If you want to play it safe, you can just get a lower wattage non-adjustable iron, i.e., 15 to 25 watts. Those will reach equilibrium at a lower temperature than your 60 watt iron will. Something like this for example - https://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP23LK-25-Watt-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0009ZD2AG - which reaches equilibrium at 750 degrees. It also comes with a couple of chisel tips, which is what you should use to most efficiently transfer the heat (due to having a lot of contact area) so you can solder quickly. With high end irons like the 13.56 mHz Metcals, small conical tips work perfectly (especially the bent ones), even for relatively large joints, but those work on a completely different principle than inexpensive, conventional irons.

As far as soldering irons go, I've had relatively good luck with the 25W Wellers. I would ask your local hardware store if you can buy a box or half a box of them for a discount.

I would also look at structuring your projects so that they build on each other and have a low / cheap parts count. There are deals to be had.

That's a little tool to help hold wires and components when soldering.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009ZD2AG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xxa5AbJP0EBTK

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 have been looking for the same thing as you, and here have been some of the ones I've been considering:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10707

http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000I30QBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369866027&sr=8-1&keywords=aoyue+937

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP23LK-25-Watt-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0009ZD2AG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1369866094&sr=8-4&keywords=weller+soldering+iron

The first two are temperature adjustable which is a huge plus, however the Weller would suffice. Hope this helped!

I've been a hobbits soldering for about 25 years now, but have done a bit in the professional field. For about the last 15 years I've used a Weller WM120 as my primary hobby iron with a super low end SP23LK 25 watt iron for heavier duty things. On my bench in the office I used a Hakko 936 which is a great unit, but it's pretty spendy for a home gamer.


About two months ago I saw an EEVBlog video on a chinese replicate of the Hakko936 and Dave had a lot of really good things to say about it during his teardown. Clive has also done a video on this same iron, and uses a Yuhua soldering station as his regular bench unit. This prompted me to buy one from Hobbyking about two weeks ago and I've been very happy with it so far.


Some notes: The station slides around on my plastic covered table, as does the iron stand. This was easily resolved by adding a couple little rubber feet to the bottom of both. Also, the iron stand is VERY light and easily picked up when you're attempting to retrieve the iron, but simply adding a little bit of weight in the bottom resolved that. For $30 shipped to my house, It's pretty legit. Can use Hakko tips on it as well.

• Dremel 3000 (minimum) and metal cutting blades. Doesn't matter if you aren't cutting metal, they cut through plastic like butter. Why 3000? As much as the 200 is good for beginners, the 3000 is MUCH better with variable speed control.
  
  
• Different sized screwdrivers. Not all screw ports are made the same.
  
  
• For electronic mods- a soldering iron. Get yourself a Weller 25w one and a bunch of MT10 chisel tips to go with it.
  
  
• Plastic Snipper thingies These may be a tad expensive, but mine last about a year each.
  
  
• Disposable gloves (I like nitrile). I HATE having epoxy putty and epoxy on my hands. Disposable gloves are great for painting, epoxying, and everything else that gets your hands all dirtied up.
  
  
  
  If I think of any others, I'll add them, but that's a good start from me.