Can someone recommend a good Soldering Gun?

[Trotter]

I'm looking at getting into building amp and would appreciate any advice on a good Soldering Gun.


Thanks!

[dbx]

I don't know, looks pretty flimsy to me...

j/k I think you forgot the link/pic...get a soldering station with variable wattage control. You'll save on tips and have better soldering joints...

[teefus]

i would only use a gun for making common ground buses and chassis soldering. for all other amp building needs a hakko 936esd would be perfect. they are around $80 last time i checked.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by teefus

i would only use a gun for making common ground buses and chassis soldering. for all other amp building needs a hakko 936esd would be perfect. they are around $80 last time i checked.

+1

Buy an extra big chisel tip for it, too, and it'll have PLENTY of power to complete ground buses, chassis soldering, and pot soldering.

[DAB]

Not long ago I was at the same point as you. The Hakko and Weller are the names to go for. I picked the Weller WESD51. It has worked out great for me. I have built 3 amps with it now and just had to change my first tip the other day.

I would agree that you don't want to use a gun for most work on an amp or effect. The main thing I found out about getting good chassis ground was to rough up the area with a Dremel before trying to solder a wire to it. Makes it much much easier and you don't need the big gun to get it to work.

[jjasilli]

Another vote for the Hakko 936 - under $100 last time I checked & a pleasure to use.

Since you asked for a soldering gun, you may not be aware that you don't want a gun, but rather an iron. The better irons have a separate box with a controller. It keeps the iron at a steady temperature. Without that the tip of the iron goes cold as you work with it, whicc is extremely frustrating.

[Trotter]

Great info all. Thanks!! I'll go get a Hakko 936 and attempt not to burn myself.

[lownslow58]

I am in the Hakko 936 fan club as well, got one a few months ago and it is great,I shopped around a little and got a good solder sucker and some other little trinkets as well, I spent about $130.00 on the whole deal and got everything I needed, I think the hakko was $80.00 or so.

[Old Tele man]

...the term "soldering GUN" is normally associated with WELLER and their induction heating "gun-shaped" units...often sold at hardware stores.

...the term "soldering IRON" is normally associated with screw-in elements having specific heat/wattage ratings...often sold at wood/craft shops.

...the term "soldering STATION" is normally associated with transistor and IC servicing...often sold at electronics distributors and stores (Rat-Shack).

...never, NEVER use an inductive GUN around IC's...the induced magnetic fields can Kill/Zap chips like popcorn!

[phsyconoodler]

+100 for the Hako 936 soldering station.I have done 50 amps with the Hako and still have the same tip.
I used a rat shack 25/40 watt one for years though,and it was fine.Just had to keep changing tips.The Hako is almost indestructable if you keep it clean.

[teleamp]

Originally Posted by Trotter

....and attempt not to burn myself.

lol, yeah, right,,,, ouch. The solder burns are no biggie, its the use of fingers to discharge stored B+ voltage that is to be avoided.

Can't go wrong with the Hakko 936, I used to use Wellers, but after some issues, I switched to the Hakko.

MikeY

[stvnscott]

I use a Hakko 936 soldering station. They can be had pretty inexpensively and are very good.

I only use a gun for chassis grounds. You'd be much happier with a station.

[RL in Fla]

Tip longevity "tips" -

Use distilled water on the sponge (same reason as using in steam irons- no scale/corrosion)

When turning it off melt some solder on it and leave the blob there to cool on it .

Also , get a solder sucker and a spare tip -

[Herf]

+1 on the Weller WESD51

[TheAmpNerd]

Originally Posted by Herf

+1 on the Weller WESD51

I quit buying anything weller when an iron melted in half on my bench.
I know a couple of others will well hand pieces that quit working on them.

Weller, ain't what they used to be, so buy a hakko and be happy.