geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Chann3l on Thu, 01 March 2018, 19:21:31
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Hey, I'm new to geekhack but I've been a long time mechanical keyboard user. I've decided to try my hand at a diy build and have ordered all the parts I need from kbdfans to build a nice 60 percent board with the gh60 Satan PCB. I haven't soldered anything since high school and was wondering what type of kit I should get. Is a cheap set from Amazon good enough? Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post this.
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A bit of light reading for you (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42824.0) ;)
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Wow, I really should have used the search haha. Thanks for the link!
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I've used generic, radio shack 30w irons forever. They don't have to be anything fancy for through hole soldering.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
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There are many types, and most will get the job done. I settled on one that has adjustable temp, which has been great. having the adjustable temp is a little extra insurance against burning up a pcb. I usually solder at 330 C, and have never once burned/lifted up a pad. I've built about 8-10 keyboards with it so far, and haven't had any issues.
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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!). Compare to other fancy ones, TS100, personally works really well! (and fairly cheap consider that it has temp control, sleep mode, etc) Those big fancy soldering stations are still awesome, but if you want something mobile and light, you can also consider TS100 or other DC powered solders(soldering iron that powered from AC to DC adapter)
https://www.amazon.com/UY-CHAN-Programmable-Pocket-size-Acceleration/dp/B01MDTO6X7
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I've been tempted to get one of those but haven't yet.
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you should, defiantly, It's pretty nice
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Given that you'll have to choose between the weller and the hakko 888, what fume extractor do you guys suggest?
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I would say, whatever that is more cheap
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Skip it. Not harmful. If it bothers you, any cheap fan will do to blow it away from you.
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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.
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What about something like the Yihua 936? It's temperature-controlled and reasonably inexpensive.
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What about something like the Yihua 936? It's temperature-controlled and reasonably inexpensive.
I bought a generic station similar to that to upgrade my Wellers, I managed to use it for two small jobs before it died. I ended up having to go back to my Weller pens, each of which cost more than this station.
My good Weller pen (I have two) is about 25 years old and still works.
My Hakko has several hundred hours of use (and I got it used) and some people have Hakkos that are that old as well.
One thing I learned years ago, buy good tools and you will never need to replace them. That doesn't mean spend a fortune, just make sure you get good stuff. If I only need something for a one time project, great, Harbor Freight I go, but if I want it to last I'll research and find what will last (like my Hakko). I have a lot of Craftsman hand tools that belonged to my grandfather, some of which are 50-70 years old and still work great.
Stay clear of the Weller equivalent of the 888d, Weller was bought out and cheapened up A LOT. We had one in our shop, we bought it because Weller had a good name in the past. We used it for about a year then it failed to work, the fix was either a new handle or a new base, with no way to determine which (Weller documentation sucks, we even had an expert look at it) and both were more than half the cost of a new iron, so we made a decision to just buy a Hakko and be done with it rather than play that game. We were not alone in this, I researched it and found lots of people in the same spot, which is why we said screw it and bought a Hakko. Then we bought a second Hakko.