Please help! Need new soldering iron

[Ben Lyman]

Going to Sears, what is good for pedal building? What is a good brand? I am thinking either the Craftsman 45w or the Cooper Tools 5w to 40w station.
Here's a link to my local store inventory, not sure if it will work but here goes:
http://www.sears.com/tools-electricians-tools-soldering-tools-accessories/b-1219254104?Price=9-75&filterList=Price&lastSelectedFilter=Price

[Kipper4]

Either will do mate
Depends what you like
More features means more things to go wrong. On the other hand my first station was very similar and held up for a decade.
Man those are cheap. Happy shopping.
Rich

[stringsthings]

I'd go with the Cooper.  It's got a nice built in stand which is super handy.  And variable power settings.

[LightSoundGeometry]

my recommendation:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360764132515?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[armdnrdy]

my recommendation:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360764132515?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

#1

If you are going to purchase a new soldering iron....buy it once!
Temperature control is a very useful feature.
If you purchase an "off" brand...you may find that it's difficult sourcing tips for it.
Something of note: Controlling the temp. extends tip life.

[LightSoundGeometry]

I remember when I first started, doing the strat/tele builds and first pedals , I used to have to account 14-15 dollars into my budget for a new radio shack gun as they would crap out easily ..I was a fool!! I could of bought a good one from the start and saved cashola.

I remember thinking a solder gun is a solder gun and wouldnt fork over a 100 bucks. As one becomes addicted to gear and building gear, quality tools are essential for getting the job done right.

[Ben Lyman]

Thanks everyone! When I got there, the "Cooper Tools" solder station turned out to be a $60 Weller solder station
but the guy let me have it for $39 anyway when I showed him the Sears website link.
I do have 30 days "no questions asked" satisfaction guarantee, so that's pretty cool.
Hope it works out.
Thanks again!

[cherler]

I'm a big fan of the Hakko 888d

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-FX-888D/dp/B00ANZRT4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446587173&sr=8-1&keywords=hakko+fx888+soldering+station

[aron]

Ben, that Weller works great for what we do. It's going to be fine.

[Ben Lyman]

just used it to de-solder some early 1960's Ge tranny's from an ancient circuit board... worked like a charm! and the tranny's stayed cool as cucumbers and weighed in at 80 each including leakage, etc.

[Kipper4]

Quick tip Ben
You can use a haemostat (long nose pliers will do) to put on the granny's legs while soldering and desoldering. The heat dissipates to the pliers.
Just to help it stay cool
Rich

[Ben Lyman]

cool, thanks Rich. Every tranny on these boards is seated on a cute little miniature ceramic pedestal. I think it helps a lot but I put a heat sink on the "emitter marker" tab or whatever you call it. With this combo I can hold the can with my fingers whilst applying the iron and never feel the slightest temp rise. I just hope all these tranny's come out winners, I got a lot of them, all TI & Philco, about 1/2&1/2 mix of PNP & NPN.