What soldering kit to get ?

I picked up one of these like 5 years ago and it's still going strong. I've built entire amps with this thing.

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28UC

 

anything made by Weller

 

agreed. Weller makes a quality product.
I'd recommend getting with adjustable wattage to better suit different projects.
also a wider chisel type for grounding to the back of your pots makes life a bit less frustrating

 

Hakko.
http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-...sr=8-1&keywords=hakko+fx888+soldering+station

Bought one for home and one for work. Fantastic.

 

I use a Hakko. I took a stab at the Weller WES51 but it wouldn't get hot enough despite cranking the adjustable temp. Thought I had a bad unit so I got it replaced - same issue with the replacement. Luckily I had a cheap 20-40 watt Radioshack backup that at least got the job done. After doing some research, it seems that a lot of their newer units over the last couple of years have had problems. I ended up going with a Hakko and haven't looked back.

 

That's the one I keep looking at (Weller WLC100)!

 

I have zero complaints about it. Different sized tips are readily available on Amazon too, but I've used the stock sized one for just about everything. Built a Metro Amp, did a bunch of pedal mods, modded a few of my amps, rewired a million guitars, numerous repairs, and even did some other non amp stuff with mine.

 

I've had one of these http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-...3493&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+soldering+station Weller WES51 for many years, it's indestructible and as long as you buy new tips for it. It's fine for high heat jobs like desoldering PAF pickup covers or putting ground-solder blobs on pots, and it works great for amp building and guitar repair.

Whatever you buy, make sure to get a metal desoldering pump like this one http://www.amazon.com/Desoldering-S...8&qid=1438053647&sr=1-19&keywords=desoldering

 

I would check the reviews of the Weller WES51 on Amazon before buying one. I did not write one on there, but if you see my experience in the post above, you'd see it's consistent with the reviews recently for 2013-2015. I'd save myself the headache and get something else. Seems like Weller's quality is not nearly what it once was.

 

If you are only going to do speaker replacement I would just go with a 40 watt stick iron.
http://www.amazon.com/Aven-17521-So...090288&sr=8-3&keywords=40+watt+soldering+iron

 

A must for me is a duel station setup so you have one iron with a finer tip for general wire jobs etc... The second iron with a fat tip, or chisel tip for ground planes, pot housings, pickup covers etc... As stated above, Hakko, Weller are fine. I bought a no name unit a couple years ago on eBay for $40-50 and was surprised how well it has worked and lasted.

 

I have a Hakko 939 soldering station. I have several various "pencil" solder irons in the garage. This thing is light years ahead.

 

I have an adjustable solder iron now. But often still just use the old style.
My favorite inexpensive is the Radio Shack 40 watter. It is like $13 and comes with some accessories. I have tried the Weller cheap ones and the Radio Shack is actually better for some reason. This may not be true of the Weller more expensive ones. The RS 40 will last a couple years with pretty heavy intermittent use. (some days on for 6 hours etc, some times not used for 2 weeks) You can probably build at least two entire amps and more with one. The other thing is 40 watts will allow you to solder to the back of potentiometers flowing well etc

 

Weller is the way to go, I've had one for years, never fails.

 

Hakko FX888d here too...but I use it for more than OP mentions
Its pretty great.

 

Whatever you get, be sure to get a temperature control station as opposed to just a pen or a gun.