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.

Le 17 janv. 2004, à 19:45, ferrograph@... a écrit :

> I use weller's TCP irons-

> 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.

I have a TCP too, along with a variable temp EC2002.

One more point… The thing must be able to be tip earthed (most Wellers 
are) as some component will like this better ;)

Denis H]                                 lepetitmartien
=======================================================
M.I.C.                          http://www.macmusic.org

Re Soldering irons....I don't do much of this stuff but find that you 
need at least two irons. One should have a fine point for close work. 
The other should be bigger eg the Weller ones with a trigger, for 
bigger joints eg soldering mains cable onto tags and such like. I 
bought a cheap set with one of each in a plastic case. (another Rob 
Williams - haha - from uk!)