Vintage Synth Repair

<< Question: I need a new soldering iron.  I see wattages in the range of 15 
through 40.  What should I be looking
at for assembly of electronic kits from places like PAiA, etc.? >>

I use weller's TCP irons- they have a stat inside the element which works by 
magnetism/curie point, and gives a distinctive clicking while you're holding 
the things. they do mains and 24V-with-base-station models. they aren't cheap 
but every part can be replaced. the tips come in a wide variety of shapes and 
sizes and each shape/size has several versions with different strengths of 
magnet at it's base, so as to operate at different temperatures.
I use the base station version when I'm working on live boards (sometimes one 
has to do these things...) because I can unplug it and do some soldering 
without earthing anything on the board before the iron cools too much.

hth-

duncan.