Cheap pen irons are a good starting point.
However, make sure it's either a brand name, Weller or Radio Shack (neither is a great name, which should tell you something) because while cheap, you have no idea how crappy they can really be. You also want at LEAST 30 watts. Problem is many are measured in Chinese, which seem to always be about 30% less powerful than they are supposed to be.
You always want to use the largest tip you can, but on pen style irons you want as large as you can handle because they do not usually have temp control and are under powered, so the thermal mass is what you are using to actually melt the solder, not the heating element. You need to get in melt what you need and get out as quick as you can (so as not to burn the board), then allow time to heat up again. A base station style like a Hakko 888d is temp controlled with a powerful heater and you don't suck the heat out in seconds. It's way easier and likely to last a lot longer, but it's two to three times the price.
You can do almost anything with both, provided you have the power. A pen is a good starter and learning point, just beware it can get too hot, so you can do damage without even thinking. If you learn with a cheap pen style, by the time you learn to really use it well you will pretty much instantly be a master with a good base style and you will appreciate it more, but it's a harsh learning curve. I'd love to say everyone should start with a pen, but not everyone wants to really learn to solder, they just want to get the job done and forget it.
Hi, Chann3l I'm also new to this community and I recently bought new soldering iron, called TS100, for my new hardwired keyboard project. It's small, light weighted, and takes only few secs to reach 350 degree (Five star!).
I'm all for cool tools, but for what you can buy that for, for about $20 more you can get a Hakko 888d.
I get that it's a good chunk more (percentage-wise), but the 888 has a killer reputation, parts are easy to get and if you find you don't want it you can resell it with little trouble. Think of the Hakko is an investment that will probably last a lifetime.
I wouldn't mind one of these as a second or for use in the field (I'll probably buy one soon), but I'll keep my Hakko for home use.
Skip it. Not harmful. If it bothers you, any cheap fan will do to blow it away from you.
I wouldn't say it's not harmful, but yes a simple fan near an open window is usually good enough.
