30w solder pen
- Thread starter PatrickBanh
- Start date
You can use whatever wattage soldering iron you like on the Xbox.
Question to ask is "Am I skilled enough at soldering to use a higher wattage soldering iron on my Xbox." If you can confidently answer yes, then go for it, otherwise, get a low power 15W one.
But WHATEVER you do, don't get one of those damn cold solder guns (as seen on TV)- the instant heat is too damn hot for electronics. The only thing good about that product is the wire stipper you get if you call right now ...
Question to ask is "Am I skilled enough at soldering to use a higher wattage soldering iron on my Xbox." If you can confidently answer yes, then go for it, otherwise, get a low power 15W one.
But WHATEVER you do, don't get one of those damn cold solder guns (as seen on TV)- the instant heat is too damn hot for electronics. The only thing good about that product is the wire stipper you get if you call right now ...
I would say dont even bother cuz it really isnt that hard to burn the board or wreck a trace. Just go buy a cheap 15w iron I got mine for $3 CND at a dollar store.
I used a 30w solder iron with no problem, just be careful and dont heat up anything on the mobo to long.
i use a butane soldering iron. its like full tilt heat man... .0001 sec and the solder is flowing like a mofo. i think more heat is better touch, feed, and go 
Most of the deals I have seen on the retial verison of this product (As Seen On TV - so you KNOW it must be good), include a $5.99 mail in offer on the wirestripper..chickengas said:
The product also gets advertised late at night on cable TV, and those offers include a free wire stripper - if you call right now, operators are standing by ...
From everything I have heard the things are a piece of crap. Instant heat is great, but the 800F temp is too hot for most people to solder with, and the tips aren't fine enough to work accurately on SMB electronics.
They might be great for doing wiring in the pickup truck, or fixing solar lights (as seen on the TV ad), but anything that needs control, and you are hosed.
I have two soldering irons - a Weller adjustable WLC100 model for electonics, and a huge arsed one (also a Weller, but model escapes me) I use for stained glass work (which will NEVER touch my electronics).
You need to pick the right tool for the job. These Cold Solder guns try to be everything to everyone, and as such fail miserably at everything. Better off spending $6.00 on a 15W pencil iron at RadioShack.