Suitable Soldering Iron for Nintendo DS Lite Game Card

[joel_spencer]

Hi chaps,

Looking for some suggestions on a decent soldering iron for fine soldering. The current aldi fella is just too big and I'm a bit cack handed.

Have taken apart two DS lite's but this is my first go at soldering to this level and regrettably Have burned a few bits of plastic on the DS Lite board and think part of the problem is the iron (also I need to practice).

So looking for advice on a reasonable iron (budget perhaps to £50).

Reviewed the forum and have seen that antex maplin ones have been recommended in the past as well as ersa. Any thoughts?

[g8ina]

I use this one :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAPLIN-TEM...item233dec7607

Cost me 50 quid from Maplin but they dont appear to do it any more.

I do all my infrared camera mods using it, changeable tips, good heat controller.

[Kumagoro]

Look at rapid online they have quite a few and are quite cheap normally. Personally I like antex.

[Goobley]

I'd highly recommend getting something with interchangeable tips, say, something like a Hakko 904 clone. A good clone made by someone like Solomon, or a decent Antex will set you back all of that budget but will make an enormous difference to the quality of your soldering. Particularly in something small like a DS you might find that some QFPs or similar will need drag soldering, you may want a horseshoe bit for this. Then at a another time you'll find yourself heavier gauge wires and want a nice decent size chisel tip. A good iron will give you the freedom to use the right tool for the job, and I would consider it a very worthwhile long term investment.

[DDY]

I use this one :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAPLIN-TEM...item233dec7607

Cost me 50 quid from Maplin but they dont appear to do it any more.

I do all my infrared camera mods using it, changeable tips, good heat controller.

FYI Maplin still do it for £23.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-50w...-station-n78ar

[g8ina]

wierd, I didnt find it when I did a search the other day. Oh well...

[Murph02]

I have one of these which i bought to replace my old weller when it died.
It came from rapid as well iirc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Profession...item20f39ff7bc

And for heavy duty stuff i have a simple mains powered iron with a large tip.