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    Soldering Equipment Help

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

    I've never soldered in my life but I'm committed to learning for multiple projects from LED strip lighting for floating shelves, to reworking and upgrading HiFi equipment.

    I'd like any recommendations for a soldering gun or station. I've looked at dozens and at this point I have no idea what to purchase. I'd like to keep the total cost under $150 if possible. At this point I'm looking at one of the t12 clones ShineNow, Bakon, Ksger or Quicko only because those tips seem to be highly liked across the soldering crowd. I'm open to any suggestions. (Edit) I just saw that 14 page thread on soldering stations. I haven't been able to find one of the Bakon950D's with the T-12 tips, only the T-13. If anyone has had luck with one of the other Chinese stations I would appreciate the feedback. I would still like any suggestions that may shorten the learning curve.

    I've acquired about 30ft of led strip lighting for practice so any suggestions for solder and/or any tips or tricks that might help me out early would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks again!
    Last edited by shimanole; 02-20-2020, 08:13 PM.

    #2
    Re: Soldering Equipment Help

    I recently bought a KSGER T12 and I absolutely love it. I can thoroughly recommend you buy one and several tips to go with it. I got the model with built in PSU so it runs on mains power (220V here). There is another cheaper version that uses an external 24V PSU but personally I don't see the point of it.

    So far I have been mainly using the BC3, BC2 and J02 tips but it will depend on what you want to do with it

    Remember to get a soldering iron stand and some 60:40 leaded solder. I would suggest 0.7mm and 0.2mm.. While you are at it also get some flux and desolder braid. That should all come well within your budget

    Have fun
    Last edited by dicky96; 02-21-2020, 05:51 AM.
    Follow me on YouTube
    ------------------
    Learn Electronics Repair
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFX...R8UZ2vg/videos

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Soldering Equipment Help

      dont buy the one with the aluminium handle - you need a nice rubber grip and not a smooth body that conducts heat!

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Soldering Equipment Help

        Originally posted by dicky96 View Post
        I recently bought a KSGER T12 and I absolutely love it. I can thoroughly recommend you buy one and several tips to go with it. I got the model with built in PSU so it runs on mains power (220V here). There is another cheaper version that uses an external 24V PSU but personally I don't see the point of it.

        So far I have been mainly using the BC3, BC2 and J02 tips but it will depend on what you want to do with it

        Remember to get a soldering iron stand and some 60:40 leaded solder. I would suggest 0.7mm and 0.2mm.. While you are at it also get some flux and desolder braid. That should all come well within your budget

        Have fun
        Thanks Dicky for all of the information. What tip would you recommend for 10mm LED single color tape lights and audio amplifier repair.

        Probably a stupid question but when removing parts from an amplifier, is there a device to help remove a soldered connection?

        Also, is there a noticeable difference in ease of application between 60/40 and 63/37 solder? Thanks for throwing out the solder size also.
        Last edited by shimanole; 02-21-2020, 06:27 AM.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Soldering Equipment Help

          Originally posted by stj View Post
          dont buy the one with the aluminium handle - you need a nice rubber grip and not a smooth body that conducts heat!
          Thanks STJ!

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Soldering Equipment Help

            Ksger soldering iron are great but if you are tempted to buy the one that is battery operated let give you a word of caution

            There are two different versions for battery operation and they are not the same

            One version seem to work good however the batteries that are used are not a well known brand name so the battery quality I cannot tell you at this time I have not done any testing on them yet

            I have plans to run some tests on them soon


            The other version has a very complicated BMS balancing protection board which seems to have some serious balancing protection issues ( not recommended to use this version until I figure out what the problem is )
            Last edited by sam_sam_sam; 02-21-2020, 06:32 AM.
            9 PC LCD Monitor
            6 LCD Flat Screen TV
            30 Desk Top Switching Power Supply
            10 Battery Charger Switching Power Supply for Power Tool
            6 18v Lithium Battery Power Boards for Tool Battery Packs
            1 XBox 360 Switching Power Supply and M Board
            25 Servo Drives 220/460 3 Phase
            6 De-soldering Station Switching Power Supply 1 Power Supply
            1 Dell Mother Board
            15 Computer Power Supply
            1 HP Printer Supply & Control Board * lighting finished it *


            These two repairs where found with a ESR meter...> Temp at 50*F then at 90*F the ESR reading more than 10%

            1 Over Head Crane Current Sensing Board ( VFD Failure Five Years Later )
            2 Hem Saw Computer Stack Board

            All of these had CAPs POOF
            All of the mosfet that are taken out by bad caps

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Soldering Equipment Help

              Thanks for the info Sam. Just now looking at the Ksger units.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                Originally posted by shimanole View Post
                Thanks for the info Sam. Just now looking at the Ksger units.
                Here is the link to the one I would recommend if you are wanting a battery operated one

                https://a.aliexpress.com/_dZam1ab

                Choose set number “3”

                There is another option for using one of these units on battery power

                This option is a little cheaper ( for the battery pack only) but it does require some work on your part

                If you are interested in it let me know ( if you are interested in this option look at this post # 28 )

                https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showth...t=Ksger&page=3

                Here is the version of this soldering iron station that has a built in switching power supply

                https://www.ebay.com/itm/KSGER-V2-1S...AAAOSwLJdd9GKr


                Here is a version that is just the soldering iron station controller


                https://www.ebay.com/itm/KSGER-V2-01...EAAOSwsQJeCFNK

                There other options but they are little more expensive and are not compact

                If you are interested in other options let me know
                Last edited by sam_sam_sam; 02-21-2020, 07:08 AM.
                9 PC LCD Monitor
                6 LCD Flat Screen TV
                30 Desk Top Switching Power Supply
                10 Battery Charger Switching Power Supply for Power Tool
                6 18v Lithium Battery Power Boards for Tool Battery Packs
                1 XBox 360 Switching Power Supply and M Board
                25 Servo Drives 220/460 3 Phase
                6 De-soldering Station Switching Power Supply 1 Power Supply
                1 Dell Mother Board
                15 Computer Power Supply
                1 HP Printer Supply & Control Board * lighting finished it *


                These two repairs where found with a ESR meter...> Temp at 50*F then at 90*F the ESR reading more than 10%

                1 Over Head Crane Current Sensing Board ( VFD Failure Five Years Later )
                2 Hem Saw Computer Stack Board

                All of these had CAPs POOF
                All of the mosfet that are taken out by bad caps

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                  Originally posted by shimanole View Post
                  Probably a stupid question but when removing parts from an amplifier, is there a device to help remove a soldered connection?
                  This is not a stupid question here are some solution to this problem

                  You could use Desoldering braids but I find that they are hard to use and not always do a good job of removing all the solder ( one note if the Desoldering braids are not new and or do not have enough flux on it then it is even harder to use it )

                  https://www.mpja.com/Desoldering-Sta...info/19034+TL/

                  Here is the link to the replacement gun

                  https://www.mpja.com/Desolder-Statio...info/17208+TL/

                  Here is the website page that has the spare parts

                  https://www.mpja.com/Desolder-Station/products/496/


                  I would recommend that if you have plans to buy one

                  I would recommend that you buy replacement tips this is a must have item on hand
                  I would recommend buying one replacement gun
                  I would recommend buying the replacement filters this is a must have item on hand

                  This unit works good for the money that you spending on it but the tips and filters do not last long

                  One note if you use the tip to bend component leads to straight them to remove the component the tips will not last long at all
                  Last edited by sam_sam_sam; 02-21-2020, 07:38 AM.
                  9 PC LCD Monitor
                  6 LCD Flat Screen TV
                  30 Desk Top Switching Power Supply
                  10 Battery Charger Switching Power Supply for Power Tool
                  6 18v Lithium Battery Power Boards for Tool Battery Packs
                  1 XBox 360 Switching Power Supply and M Board
                  25 Servo Drives 220/460 3 Phase
                  6 De-soldering Station Switching Power Supply 1 Power Supply
                  1 Dell Mother Board
                  15 Computer Power Supply
                  1 HP Printer Supply & Control Board * lighting finished it *


                  These two repairs where found with a ESR meter...> Temp at 50*F then at 90*F the ESR reading more than 10%

                  1 Over Head Crane Current Sensing Board ( VFD Failure Five Years Later )
                  2 Hem Saw Computer Stack Board

                  All of these had CAPs POOF
                  All of the mosfet that are taken out by bad caps

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                    Originally posted by sam_sam_sam View Post
                    This is not a stupid question here are some solution to this problem

                    You could use Desoldering braids but I find that they are hard to use and not always do a good job of removing all the solder ( one note if the Desoldering braids are not new and or do not have enough flux on it then it is even harder to use it )

                    https://www.mpja.com/Desoldering-Sta...info/19034+TL/

                    Here is the link to the replacement gun

                    https://www.mpja.com/Desolder-Statio...info/17208+TL/


                    Here is the website page that has the spare parts

                    https://www.mpja.com/Desolder-Station/products/496/


                    I would recommend that if you have plans to buy one

                    I would recommend that you buy replacement tips this is a must have item on hand
                    I would recommend buying one replacement gun
                    I would recommend buying the replacement filters this is a must have item on hand

                    This unit works good for the money that you spending on it but the tips and filters do not last long

                    One note if you use the tip to bend component leads to straight them to remove the component the tips will not last long at all
                    Great. Thank you very much!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                      i have not worn out the tips on mine yet - dont put flux on the solder - it will eat the tip.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                        OK someone answered before me

                        It depends how much desoldering you want to do, how many 'legs' are on the components you want to desolder, whether you want to keep the desoldered part (or don't mind destroying it in the process as it is faulty anyway), and whether you want to work on through hole or surface mount or both.

                        For through hole desoldering I can recommend a soldering iron plus braid plus flux if you are not doing loads of desoldering and you want to do it on the cheap. Contrary to some opinions, this will do a very good job IF YOU DIP THE BRAID IN FLUX FIRST every time you use it.

                        Something like this
                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3293...archweb201603_

                        or even better this
                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3222...archweb201603_

                        and I swear by this flux for that sort of work. It is solid so you have to melt a groove into it and then dip the desolder braid into the groove. I have one tin of this and it has lasted me years already and I still barely used 10% of it. I am sure however that others here will have differing opinions on that

                        https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electroni...75a35a570f5d2c


                        If you want to get a desoldering gun instead this will make it a lot easier and I can recommend this one
                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...archweb201603_

                        It's 90W and I am really pleased with mine. I've given it a fair bit of use and it has not clogged yet.

                        As regards the KSGER T12 I would say DO get aluminium handle! I have the black one, and the bottom part is like a rubbery sleeve, it is very comfortable to use and it does not get hot in use!

                        I have this one (the black one that has chrome ring and says KSGER on the side)
                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...archweb201603_

                        Because the holding position of this type of handle is a lot closer to the tip I find this much better to use than my old ZD916 which I still have. If you look on youtube etc you will see a lot of people swear by these handles. And believe me the T12 is a world apart from my older soldering station (which although it is not T12 it has almost the same handle as the cheap KSGER blue plastic ones so I do know exactly how the aluminium handle feels and, well, 'handles' compared to those ones)

                        https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00...4aArKZEALw_wcB

                        If you want to do surface mount - and also this would be very useful for preheating boards before you want to desolder through hole components and and you find you are struggling to get enough heat from your desoldering gun (example removing faulty capacitors from motherboards) then get a cheap hot air station

                        I would recommend this one, which is about the cheapest you can buy
                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3271...archweb201603_

                        It is suitable for almost all desoldering work and I have had mine for years. Yes before anyone says, yes I do have a Quick 861DW and yes it is better than the 858D but it was 10x the price and I still am happy to use my 858D for this type of work

                        I hope this helps too
                        Last edited by dicky96; 02-21-2020, 11:01 AM. Reason: wrong links
                        Follow me on YouTube
                        ------------------
                        Learn Electronics Repair
                        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFX...R8UZ2vg/videos

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                          Originally posted by dicky96 View Post
                          OK someone answered before me

                          It depends how much desoldering you want to do, how many 'legs' are on the components you want to desolder, whether you want to keep the desoldered part (or don't mind destroying it in the process as it is faulty anyway), and whether you want to work on through hole or surface mount or both.

                          For through hole desoldering I can recommend a soldering iron plus braid plus flux if you are not doing loads of desoldering and you want to do it on the cheap. Contrary to some opinions, this will do a very good job IF YOU DIP THE BRAID IN FLUX FIRST every time you use it.

                          Something like this
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3293...archweb201603_

                          or even better this
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3222...archweb201603_

                          and I swear by this flux for that sort of work. It is solid so you have to melt a groove into it and then dip the desolder braid into the groove. I have one tin of this and it has lasted me years already and I still barely used 10% of it. I am sure however that others here will have differing opinions on that

                          https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electroni...75a35a570f5d2c


                          If you want to get a desoldering gun instead this will make it a lot easier and I can recommend this one
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...archweb201603_

                          It's 90W and I am really pleased with mine. I've given it a fair bit of use and it has not clogged yet.

                          As regards the KSGER T12 I would say DO get aluminium handle! I have the black one, and the bottom part is like a rubbery sleeve, it is very comfortable to use and it does not get hot in use!

                          I have this one (the black one that has chrome ring and says KSGER on the side)
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...archweb201603_

                          Because the holding position of this type of handle is a lot closer to the tip I find this much better to use than my old ZD916 which I still have. If you look on youtube etc you will see a lot of people swear by these handles. And believe me the T12 is a world apart from my older soldering station (which although it is not T12 it has almost the same handle as the cheap KSGER blue plastic ones so I do know exactly how the aluminium handle feels and, well, 'handles' compared to those ones)

                          https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00...4aArKZEALw_wcB

                          If you want to do surface mount - and also this would be very useful for preheating boards before you want to desolder through hole components and and you find you are struggling to get enough heat from your desoldering gun (example removing faulty capacitors from motherboards) then get a cheap hot air station

                          I would recommend this one, which is about the cheapest you can buy
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3271...archweb201603_

                          It is suitable for almost all desoldering work and I have had mine for years. Yes before anyone says, yes I do have a Quick 861DW and yes it is better than the 858D but it was 10x the price and I still am happy to use my 858D for this type of work

                          I hope this helps too
                          This helps a lot. Thanks to all for the great advice. I think from a desoldering standpoint, I'm going to start with the station,braid and flux just to see how well I do with it. I haven't gotten into any of the electronics yet so I may need to do very little desoldering once I test everything. I'm going to look into the hot air soldering station for desoldering as well. Thanks again. Getting excited now.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                            Originally posted by shimanole View Post
                            I'm going to look into the hot air soldering station for desoldering as well. Thanks again. Getting excited now.
                            Look at this unit it work very well

                            https://www.mpja.com/mobile/Hot-Air-...info/34737+TL/

                            There are two versions of this unit
                            One the ZD-939A it alright but it does not show you the temperature that it is set at

                            This is my opinion and what I have found using one

                            This is a very nice unit and allows you to heat the circuit board where you want to desolder but have to have the right attachment for the job you are doing with the right amount of air

                            The other one
                            ZD-939L. Dose shows you the temperature that you set it and the temperature output

                            To me this is the better version and basically are the same price


                            This company sells both versions of this unit
                            Last edited by sam_sam_sam; 02-21-2020, 12:56 PM.
                            9 PC LCD Monitor
                            6 LCD Flat Screen TV
                            30 Desk Top Switching Power Supply
                            10 Battery Charger Switching Power Supply for Power Tool
                            6 18v Lithium Battery Power Boards for Tool Battery Packs
                            1 XBox 360 Switching Power Supply and M Board
                            25 Servo Drives 220/460 3 Phase
                            6 De-soldering Station Switching Power Supply 1 Power Supply
                            1 Dell Mother Board
                            15 Computer Power Supply
                            1 HP Printer Supply & Control Board * lighting finished it *


                            These two repairs where found with a ESR meter...> Temp at 50*F then at 90*F the ESR reading more than 10%

                            1 Over Head Crane Current Sensing Board ( VFD Failure Five Years Later )
                            2 Hem Saw Computer Stack Board

                            All of these had CAPs POOF
                            All of the mosfet that are taken out by bad caps

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                              I highly recommend getting some quality Sn63/Pb37 solder. Many people recommend the 60/40 and say it's easier to work with, well that depends. Generally, if I'm soldering, I'm also desoldering, and the 63/37 is FAR easier to desolder with. It stays molten longer so it's easier to suck out of joints. It also dilutes lead free solder better and with using less than you would if you were using 60/40.

                              Now if you can't help but wiggle components in the few seconds the solder takes to set up, go with the 60/40. Or, get both. But if you only have budget for one, the 63/37 is indispensible.

                              If you have the budget for it, a desolder gun is a true luxury. I have the Aoyue 474A++ Digital Desoldering Station and I don't think I'd ever want to work on a board without it again. I posted a review a few years back on here.

                              You should also invest in some chip quik. There are times when even the desolder gun doesn't do it, the chip quik really comes in handy, but it's expensive. Do not use it for soldering, only removing chips and components you just can't get out.

                              Edit: If you need a hot air station, I have been using a similar one to this and it has been great. I think I paid around $35 a few years back.
                              https://www.ebay.com/itm/858D-Hot-Ai...wAAOSwxuha9QcQ

                              Edit2: Don't cheap out and buy chinese solder. It works terribly, save yourself the trouble.
                              Last edited by clearchris; 02-22-2020, 08:28 AM.

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                                this is good:
                                https://www.aliexpress.com/item/UANM...864986454.html

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                                  Originally posted by clearchris View Post
                                  Edit2: Don't cheap out and buy chinese solder. It works terribly, save yourself the trouble.
                                  Interesting that you have found chinese solder to be bad. The evidence suggests otherwise.

                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ9wxs6xuYU

                                  What problem were you having with the chinese solder?

                                  If you enjoy the above video, this one from the same guy is also worth a view

                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDAmY9Rdag


                                  Rich
                                  Follow me on YouTube
                                  ------------------
                                  Learn Electronics Repair
                                  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFX...R8UZ2vg/videos

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                                    Originally posted by dicky96 View Post
                                    Interesting that you have found chinese solder to be bad. The evidence suggests otherwise.
                                    Can't find the comparision I saw a few months back, but what he found was exactly my experince. The stuff clings to the iron, no matter how hot you get it. When you lift the tip, it always forms a needle peak right there. When it cools, it forms micro cracks on the skin that make the joint look 100 years old - dull grey, oxidized looking and bad.

                                    Maybe there are some good brands, but I have sworn it off. I do use mechanic solder paste and that seems ok, but I don't have anything to compare to. I also use kingbo flux and that seems pretty good, but will only be removed with brake cleaner.

                                    Just bought a pound of 63/37 AIM solder and I'm super happy with it.

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: Soldering Equipment Help

                                      Thanks again for all of the input. After opening a couple of my amplifier cases I'm definitely getting a desoldering gun. Can't imaging doing that kind of reworking efficiently without one.

                                      Comment

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