Official Luthiers Forum!

About once a month I have to solder wires onto a pizo and I fry one every once in awhile.
I plan on going to low temp solder and figure I need a variable temp soldering station.
I’ve seen them from about $40 to over $400.
I’m looking for suggestions on what you guys use!

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Dave-
I use a Weller WLC100 ($40-50) for most stuff (working on amps and 'normal' PC boards, no SMD stuff) and it works well. Replacement tips are (still) readily available- for finer work I just swap in a smaller tip.
It isn't a controlled temp iron, but it does have a 'power' control so you can turn it down/up.
The digital temp irons are quite a bit more $$.

Cheers
John

I asked a friend, who happens to be the best electronics guy I know, recently what to get and he said 'unless you're doing SMTs all day then get the cheapest 40 watt Weller you can'. I got the same one as John.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I have always used the Weller variable temp ones for the work I've done. Its kind of the industry standard.

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Wisdom is justified by her children

A variable temp weller is the way to go. Mine has a separate temp controller that varies the voltage to the iron. I got one a few years back when I was doing lots of stained glass. But it comes in handy in lutherie too.

Just last night, I was using it to steam out hammer dents in my fingerboard from a couple of errant taps with my hammer. Just apply a drop of water, wait a few seconds for it to soak in a bit, and hit it with the soldering iron. Poof the dents are gone! Then a small scuff with 1500 and 2000g paper and it's as good as new.

I've also used it on a low temp setting to heat frets before pulling to soften the tiny bits of white glue I put on frets before installation.

Oh yeah.. it works on wires too.

Thanks Ya'll.
Looks like I'll pick up a Weller WLC100

_________________
Say what you do, Do what you say.

40 watts is to much for electronics. Get a 10 watter and you won't fry things unless you hold it there to long.

One of the problems with an iron that's too small is that while you wait for the joint to heat up enough to melt solder, the heat can travel to other components and cause damage. A larger (within reason) iron will allow you to get the joint properly soldered in a very short time. That way you can remove the heat "source" quickly and the heat in the soldered joint will begin to dissipate without damaging anything else.

I have used one of these http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?CID= ... 250&Page=1 (Hakko 936 ESD) for many years. It's the Hakko equivalent of the Weller variable temp unit, and generally sells in the $80 to $120 range depending on the source and the sale.

cheers

John

Thats why they invented heat sinks.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-solder-electronics-right-way-253645/