GENERAL Soldering Iron purchase?

[Dark_Riku]

So...I thought it's about time i bit the bullet and practice soldering on a few old test xbox's i have and then am going to attempt to glitch my Falcon with a coolrunner. Looking around i'm not entirely sure what the best (cheap) iron would be. I was looking around on the e of bay and found this...

ebay item number 390387405182


Is this any use for this task? or is it a bit too much?

 

[DayvG]

Good price mate, but that irons gonna be to hot for what you wanna do. I recommend the antex xs25 (it's what I have) It does the job nicely and you can get some nice small tips. You'll pick one up for £15-25. The tip temp on the antex is around 400 deg C. Buy some amtech 223 flux whilst your at it. Essential for good tidy work. I also use 63/37 solder as its leaded and has a lower melting point than unleaded solder and it leaves a nice shiny finish.

 

[Dark_Riku]

Good price mate, but that irons gonna be to hot for what you wanna do. I recommend the antex xs25 (it's what I have) It does the job nicely and you can get some nice small tips. You'll pick one up for £15-25. The tip temp on the antex is around 400 deg C. Buy some amtech 223 flux whilst your at it. Essential for good tidy work. I also use 63/37 solder as its leaded and has a lower melting point than unleaded solder and it leaves a nice shiny finish.

That's a reasonable price, looks small and tidy too. You don't by chance have an MSN/AIM or Skype that i can add you on so you can keep me right is there?

 

[mikebood]

i used a 25w wellar

---------- Post added at 19:45 ---------- Previous post was at 19:45 ----------

thxx

 

[reefz3ro]

I use 25watt most of the time as well but i will say sometimes i need more like when i'm adding led's to a case and are going to solder them to the 12v at the power supply 25watt just is not enough.

 

[TheRealKTFO]

I've always used a 30w iron..Haven't had a problem yet except for replacing tips.

 

[Fisticuffs]

15/30 watt from radioshack is decent for $12, Gets the job done, By far not the best though

 

[uncledaniel12]

So...I thought it's about time i bit the bullet and practice soldering on a few old test xbox's i have and then am going to attempt to glitch my Falcon with a coolrunner. Looking around i'm not entirely sure what the best (cheap) iron would be. I was looking around on the e of bay and found this...



ebay item number 390387405182


Is this any use for this task? or is it a bit too much?

I think 60w is too hot for soldering small things on an xbox. I don't know for sure though

 

[WestCoastConsoles]

Get a 70 watt adjustable you'll be able to solder almost anything.

 

[litnin]

20-30w should do. But if you want to spend a little xtra you could go for one with an adjustable temp. It'll pay for itself in the end if your thinking about doing a lot of these.

 

[Dark_Riku]

I had a look at Maplin Electronics and found this one..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/30w-soldering-iron-32909

Is that good enough for performing the JTAG/RGH hack?

I'm leaning towards the one that Davy told me about, the 25w one. However if this works it's quite cheap too.

 

[axee44]

I'm using antex xs25 as well. with 0.5mm or 1mm tip it does the job just fine. Stay away from that maplin one. It's proper garbage.

http://uk.farnell.com/antex/xs25-230v/soldering-iron-pvc-cable/dp/610203

 

[Dark_Riku]

And is this solder wire okay? It's 63/37 as Davy suggested. Just making sure getting the right stuff.


ebay item number 170528781094

 

[jeremy790]

I use the same solder and works great.

 

[DayvG]

This is the last solder I bought 170625859937

Quite a large roll for the price.

 

[brett1]

before you buy mate see what bgamods have in karls always on here and can help you out

 

[sherlock]

And is this solder wire okay? It's 63/37 as Davy suggested. Just making sure getting the right stuff.


ebay item number 170528781094

i've edited your posts as links to ebay are not allowed but posting the item number is ok.

 

[Dark_Riku]

i've edited your posts as links to ebay are not allowed but posting the item number is ok.

My mistake, It won't happen again.

 

[erikeckert]

You get what you pay for

 

[DayvG]

You get what you pay for

Agree 100% You don't have to spend a fortune but spending a few quid will always be worthwhile. The branded irons generally have lots of tip options as well.