Soldering Station- a big win!

[hepcatrevival]

This is a suggestion instead of a question. I have been working on my amps since 1967 when I first got started playing guitar. I was a ham operator before that. High voltage and soldering are not new to me. I have an engineering friend who has been teasing me for years to stop using the "woodburning tool" to solder. Last week I broke down and bought a temperature controlled work station and built a 40 watt 6L6 - 12AX7 with it in a couple of days. Previous amp builds have been with a Weller/Ungar WP40. They also have had entirely too many cold and messy solder joints. Troubleshooting and startup of the previous amps (I'm on #4) has been frustrating at best. This time, every solder joint was perfect! Idling the iron in the holder didn't produce the usual buildup on the tip. My strong suggestion is to stop being a cheapskate like me and buy a temperature controlled soldering workstation since they are now quite reasonable. Weber has one for $40, Parts Express is at $60 and there are others. I bought the one from Weber and it works great. The WP-40 is now $30 so you might as well spend the extra ten bucks and cut your frustration level by about 50%!
Ken Zuercher
Toledo, OH

[hepcatrevival]

BTW, as soon as I can figure out how, I'll post pictures of my amps. This one has a powder coated chassis and I actually had a silkscreen made and screened the control panel. It's fun to learn new skills!

[Modern Saint]

On my two amp builds, I used a Weller Portasol. I have 30 and lower wattage irons along with a temp controlled Edsyn somewhere but the Portasol for me in this type of application was easier to work with. Fast in and fast out. For the grounding wires on the pots I used a Weller 100/140 gun. Once again Fast in and fast out.

[andyfromdenver]

Originally Posted by hepcatrevival

BTW, as soon as I can figure out how, I'll post pictures of my amps. This one has a powder coated chassis and I actually had a silkscreen made and screened the control panel. It's fun to learn new skills!

Yeah, that would be nice to see!
I agree, you need an iron that let's you adjust it to it's happy spot.
Question: do you guys clean the tip after each use or before making a joint?
(man, out of context this question seems ridiculous...)

[Modern Saint]

I clean the iron when the surface is no longer shiny. I also clean after my soldering session is over.

[andyfromdenver]

Makes sense to me. I ask cause I just read this in Craig Anderton's book, "Electronic Projects for Musicians":

[Hiker]

I'm still a ham-ster, and have been making progress with a (recent purchase) soldering station. I've got two small irons,
and a 100w gun.

These setups are very affordable.

[boredguy6060]

i bought a soldering rework station as it was called, has variable temp, digitally adjusted, with a built in heat gun. Heat gun is also digitally adjusted and turns on and off by just lifting it off or returning it to the cradle.
It cost $89.00 with free shipping and 11 different tips.
Can't say enough good about this type of soldering, it makes the job a lot easier and turns out better work than the old style irons.

[hepcatrevival]

I considered the Stahl unit as it is VERY affordable. I finally decided to go with the Temperature controlled one. I don't know if the $16 Stahl is controlled, but it looks like you just adjust it. Just that could be still a great improvement over the "woodburner".