Best soldering kit for home electronics/modding projects

cleric_warlock · April 10

Looking for specific recommendations for solder kits that are high quality and can do it all along with recs for lead free solder paste that is good for home electronics like keyboards/controllers etc and doesn't produce much in the way of toxic fumes. Not having proper solder equipment has been a blind spot in my repair/modding toolkit for too long.

saintlouisbagels · April 10

"Best" is a pretty dangerous word if you don't have a stated budget.

This is my setup:

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-Digital-Soldering-Station-WE1010NA/dp/B077JDGY1J/

https://www.amazon.com/American-HAKKO-Products-FR301-03-Desoldering/dp/B07BFVFMS9/

https://www.amazon.com/Lesnow-No-Clean-Desoldering-Removal-Dispenser/dp/B094GZ6CPZ/

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-Helping-Hands-Magnetic-WLACCHHM-02/dp/B08FQ4LMC6/

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01902-Adjustable-Magnifying-Alligator/dp/B000P42O3C/

https://www.amazon.com/Chemtronics-CW8200-Rosin-Dispensing-Conductive/dp/B001DPPLA0/

https://www.amazon.com/BEEYUIHF-Solder-Soldering-Electronics-Syringe/dp/B0C7V8FDB2/

https://www.amazon.com/Absorber-Remover-Extractor-Prevention-Soldering/dp/B07VWDN29F/

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltronics-FBA_TMT-TC-2-Lead-Tinner-Container/dp/B00NS4J6BY/

Beerzerker · April 10

One of these would be perfect for home projects and useable for more involved things too.
I have two of these setups (One in use, the other as a backup) and both have been good over the past 9 years I've had one of them to use.

BACOENG 2in1 862d+ SMD Soldering Iron Hot Air Soldering Station W/Various Acc... | eBay

Be picky about from whom and where you get one of these, since the price range of a station vary's wildly with a setup like this.
You don't have to get this exact model/station but something like it will be fine and be sure whatever you get has a good assortment of soldering tips, esp a chisel tip - VERY useful overall across different things you'd use it for.