Right, so I'm going to build a Fuzz.....

[CONAN]

Nice sound Dragonfly - very cool.

[kristo]

Well having just sat my most recent exams before xmas I now have the time to actually see this through before the next lot start
in April. After thinking about it for a while I've decided to follow the advice of Tatter and others and buy a kt. I just need a soldering station.
Can anyone recommend one the will last me a good while and is easily available in the uk please?

[Jim Goad]

I've got a ZD Electronic Tools ZD-929C Temperature controlled soldering station with LED display (catchy name huh?). It's cheap & OK but you should get something better because a good soldering station will make things much easier & more enjoyable.

A multimeter (they're quite cheap) & some sort of heat soak for the more delicate components will be very useful.

[kristo]

is this the kinda thing, or is it a bit overkill:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98133

in the sale it looks like a good deal, or could i get one for cheaper than is more than adequate.

[The Captain]

Fuck that. Buy an Antex. Low cost, high quality, light weight, super efficient, made in the UK and built to last. What more could man need.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasten ... rons/73126

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasten ... tand/30324

You don't need non of that LCD mumbo jumbo

[kristo]

cheers captain. It's just i thought i'd read somewhere that having a temperature controlled solder is better for building pedals, but this could easily be wrong! I'm just keen to start out on the right foot with this and don't wanna buy stuff I dont need and will never use. Even with those solders, do you go for the normal, the silicon? nothings ever straightforward.....

[kristo]

looking at in again the silicon just seems to be a heat protected cable, which safety wise makes sense, so the real question is 18w or 25w? does it matter?

[The Captain]

Yeah good choice on the silicon. You can never be to safe in this day and age.

We do use both the 18 and 25's but does depend on the job. Linzi for example can get by on the 18 if she is building Meats. I'll use the 25 if I need to ground the back of a pot. Its about how much heat you want to pack into a punch.
I'd say the should 18 should do it. Bare in mind these are designed for lead free solder so the efficiency is far superior to a regular soldering iron of this type.

You'll need at least 2-3 tips. You'll get a far sized one with the iron with is cool for jacks and pot lugs. 0.5 is good for making boards.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasten ... rons/70891

You'll also need some of this shit.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasten ... tent/70881

Remember, these are the iron's that work well for me. You might find something you get on with better. I've tried a shed load of bells and whistles set-ups and personally I thought it was over kill. Pedal building it really straight forward so my thinking from day one was why over complicate things. A light weight good quality iron has worked well so far.

[1bottlerocket]

looking at in again the silicon just seems to be a heat protected cable, which safety wise makes sense, so the real question is 18w or 25w? does it matter?

I think it is the amount of heat the iron produces, from what I understand the 18w is safer but the 25w is quicker. I use a 40w myself but you have to be quick about your work. I also use heat sinks when working and they help a lot.

[1bottlerocket]

Thanks for the info Dave!