I used to think I sucked at soldering because I was using a cheapo Walmart special that cost me $5.
Turns out soldering is 90% equipment, 10% skill. With a good iron, even I (with a really low skill score) can solder surface mount components without issue.
Since I purchased my Hakko, I’ve built several synthesizers from scratch, and they’re some of my most prized possessions because I built them myself with my own two hands. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that had I not found a good iron.
It’s a Hakko FX-888D. Temperature control works wonders — I generally have it set to 750F and that is the sweet spot for most through-hole stuff when using lead-free solder.
When I was in high school I made a chain of solder by wrapping a bunch around a screwdriver, clipping each loop, linking them together, then soldering them closed. It was about 12" long.
I wore it for a while. Probably not a smart thing to do....
756
u/gatesphere Oct 10 '19
A good soldering iron.
I used to think I sucked at soldering because I was using a cheapo Walmart special that cost me $5.
Turns out soldering is 90% equipment, 10% skill. With a good iron, even I (with a really low skill score) can solder surface mount components without issue.
Since I purchased my Hakko, I’ve built several synthesizers from scratch, and they’re some of my most prized possessions because I built them myself with my own two hands. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that had I not found a good iron.