(HELP)Soldering Iron

[mustafaali61]

I don't know where this topic should go, but i need a soldering iron. I'm a beginner so i don't know what is good and what is shit. My goal is to eventually be good enough to put gatreon switches on my mechanical keyboard that has Cherry MX Blue Switches. Thank You.

[ELSknutson]

how often are you going to be using it?

[lani100]

I don't know where this topic should go, but i need a soldering iron. I'm a beginner so i don't know what is good and what is shit. I want to add gatreon switches to my mechanical keyboard that has Cherry MX Blue Switches. Thank You.

I won't try this job as a beginner

[mustafaali61]

how often are you going to be using it?

I want to use it on other projects as well, so farly often

[insayan]

You have a plate mounted keyboard, that'll be a lot of soldering to get that job done. 

[ELSknutson]

something like this http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289403&sr=8-2&keywords=soldering+iron

is a decent choice but make sure you get extra tips and decent solder. 

 

its more inportant to get good solder and tips then getting an expensive soldering iron also you can look into 

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-PS1100C-Super-Pro-Cordless-Soldering/dp/B000JG40EW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289711&sr=8-12&keywords=propane+soldering+iron

if you dont want to deal with the cord 

[mustafaali61]

I won't try this job as a beginner

I am going to practice on other things before attempting to upgrade my switches. Plus the change in switches is more of a goal than a project that I will be working on next week

[ELSknutson]

I am going to practice on other things before attempting to upgrade my switches. Plus the change in switches is more of a goal than a project that I will be working on next.

a good thing to practice on is LED strips like http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-White-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289824&sr=8-1&keywords=led+strips

just cut them to length and put some molex or 12V connectors on them and sell them to recoup your money that or make something cool out of them like this 

 

[insayan]

I am going to practice on other things before attempting to upgrade my switches. Plus the change in switches is more of a goal than a project that I will be working on next week

I wouldn't exactly call replacing cherry switches with gateron ones an "upgrade"  

[mustafaali61]

a good thing to practice on is LED strips like http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-White-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289824&sr=8-1&keywords=led+strips

just cut them to length and put some molex or 12V connectors on them and sell them to recoup your money that or make something cool out of them like this 

 

Funny thing is i ordered an LED strip yesterday because i need it for a project im working on

[mustafaali61]

I wouldn't exactly call replacing cherry switches with gateron ones an "upgrade"

well, yeah 

[viledoll]

I wouldn't recommend a cordless one. Have used one and it gets tiring really fast. I use ersa i-con pico and am happy with it. 

 

If you are willing to spend a bit more than just a iron, I would choose a station that has digital temperature control. Also it is useful to check compatible tips. If you need really small tips, you should choose iron that has heating element in the tip as these can be smaller but if the size is not an issue or you don't need to go so small, tips without heating element are generally cheaper.  

[Charger]

I won't try this job as a beginner

it isn't that hard with just a few things on hand

soldering iron

desoldering pump

solder wick

solder

but really i have taken all the switched off a board with just a soldering iron before so im sure it can be done with less lol

[Williamchan87]

Beginners tend to be messy with soldering laths, and using too much/over soldering. I had it hard when I was a kid, cause my dad soldered for work, and I had to learn at a young age :\

[bobbywave]

Get a weller. I use:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427319071&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+soldering+iron

 

but:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427319071&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+soldering+iron

 

Would do just as well for almost all cases. Extra tips are nice to have, but won't be needed often if you take good care of yours.

[mustafaali61]

a good thing to practice on is LED strips like http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-White-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289824&sr=8-1&keywords=led+strips

just cut them to length and put some molex or 12V connectors on them and sell them to recoup your money that or make something cool out of them like this 

 

I couldn't see the panel you did with the leds before. it looks really good