solder iron purchase suggestions?

beerorkid

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soldering iron purchase suggestions?

I kinda goofed on the DMM (no continuity setting), so figured i would turn to you folk for suggestions.

Posted in pinball, because that is what I will be using it on, although I doubt it makes a difference.

A friend told me I might want one around 30 watts to be safe. Looking to spend around $50 and some stuff to go with it. What is a good solder to use? Prob gonna need a solder sucker I bet. Going to work up to fixing some header pins one day.

Any suggestions welcome. TIA
 
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I kinda goofed on the DMM (no continuity setting), so figured i would turn to you folk for suggestions.

Posted in pinball, because that is what I will be using it on, although I doubt it makes a difference.

A friend told me I might want one around 30 watts to be safe. Looking to spend around $50 and some stuff to go with it. What is a good solder to use? Prob gonna need a solder sucker I bet. Going to work up to fixing some header pins one day.

Any suggestions welcome. TIA

Home depot for the iron 30 watts is good.
Radio Shack for your solder.
You will spend under that $50 mark, to get some beer for after the job!
 
The guy that helps me fix my machines has a soldering gun with a built in desoldering pump. That is one sweet tool for quickly fixing a circuit board. Maybe to a lot of you pro techs it is nothing new but for an amateur like me it thought it was slick.
 
I use this station:
http://www.mcmconnect.com/tenma/product/21-7935/Soldering Stations

It is affordable, and works great. You can pick them up fairly cheap on ebay. Also, buy your solder online. When I bought my replacement iron from Tenma, I also picked up a huge roll of solder - like 6 oz - for $6. It will last me a LONG time.

Those little tubes at rat shack go really quick.
 
What do you mean your DMM has no continuity setting? Does it not allow you to test for resistance?

As for the iron/solder - Radio shack carries a decent 35w iron and you can buy the solder (60/40 rosin core) and solder sucker (or desoldering braid) there as well. One stop shopping...
 
does not have a tone, so I have to look at the screen. Not a big deal, I just got the cheap one because I did not know what to look for.

Thanks for the help.
 
What do you mean your DMM has no continuity setting? Does it not allow you to test for resistance?

As for the iron/solder - Radio shack carries a decent 35w iron and you can buy the solder (60/40 rosin core) and solder sucker (or desoldering braid) there as well. One stop shopping...

without shipping prices as well. Everyone has a Radio Shack nearby:).
 
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