Hey guys

[UTommieTanka]

Hey everyone, new to Geekhack. Been on the MechMarket and Mechanical Keyboards reddit for a while but want to expand to a bigger forum

Also want to get in on them sweet GB's that I always seem to miss because I don't have a GH account.

Also, anyone know of a good soldering kit for a first timer? Need something to practise with before getting my own diy kit.

[xtrafrood]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

[UTommieTanka]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

Yeah, didn't really say it that well did I.

I was referring to a DIY keyboard kit like this - http://mechboards.bigcartel.com/product/diy-60-kit

And I wanted to know what would be a good first 'cheapish' Soldering iron that I could pick up

Sorry about that.

[xtrafrood]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

Yeah, didn't really say it that well did I.

I was referring to a DIY keyboard kit like this - http://mechboards.bigcartel.com/product/diy-60-kit

And I wanted to know what would be a good first 'cheapish' Soldering iron that I could pick up

Sorry about that.

Huh.. On that webiste I see the PCB listing as Satan OR GH60. That is rather confusing considering that the GH60 keyboard is no longer in production.

I see the Satan GH60 everywhere (It's a popular clone of the orginal GH60) but finding a brand new GH60 is a little different.. interesting. Maybe Mechboards will comment on that. 

Variable temperature would be a nice way to start. Maybe make sure the solder you're using contains lead. The lead makes the solder flow better from what I understand. I've used solder without lead, and the circuit board I was working on became a hot mess.

[UTommieTanka]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

Yeah, didn't really say it that well did I.

I was referring to a DIY keyboard kit like this - http://mechboards.bigcartel.com/product/diy-60-kit

And I wanted to know what would be a good first 'cheapish' Soldering iron that I could pick up

Sorry about that.

Huh.. On that webiste I see the PCB listing as Satan OR GH60. That is rather confusing considering that the GH60 keyboard is no longer in production.

I see the Satan GH60 everywhere (It's a popular clone of the orginal GH60) but finding a brand new GH60 is a little different.. interesting. Maybe Mechboards will comment on that. 

Variable temperature would be a nice way to start. Maybe make sure the solder you're using contains lead. The lead makes the solder flow better from what I understand. I've used solder without lead, and the circuit board I was working on became a hot mess.

Yeah I've noticed that with solder when ever I am working on pipes + Unleaded solder costs an arm and a leg .

Thanks for the help though

[xtrafrood]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

Yeah, didn't really say it that well did I.

I was referring to a DIY keyboard kit like this - http://mechboards.bigcartel.com/product/diy-60-kit

And I wanted to know what would be a good first 'cheapish' Soldering iron that I could pick up

Sorry about that.

Huh.. On that webiste I see the PCB listing as Satan OR GH60. That is rather confusing considering that the GH60 keyboard is no longer in production.

I see the Satan GH60 everywhere (It's a popular clone of the orginal GH60) but finding a brand new GH60 is a little different.. interesting. Maybe Mechboards will comment on that. 

Variable temperature would be a nice way to start. Maybe make sure the solder you're using contains lead. The lead makes the solder flow better from what I understand. I've used solder without lead, and the circuit board I was working on became a hot mess.

Yeah I've noticed that with solder when ever I am working on pipes + Unleaded solder costs an arm and a leg .

Thanks for the help though

Pipes? Do you mean silver solder for brazing? Or are you talking about welding? Man, one day I'll learn to weld. I did some brazing work for a job several years ago. At first I made mistakes because I was afraid I would overheat the copper pipes. And yea, the stuff is like $10 per 12" silver rod? You probably used something else though.

[UTommieTanka]

Hi, welcome 

When you say kit are you referring to an all in one soldering iron kit, or an all in one keyboard building kit? Or both?

Yeah, didn't really say it that well did I.

I was referring to a DIY keyboard kit like this - http://mechboards.bigcartel.com/product/diy-60-kit

And I wanted to know what would be a good first 'cheapish' Soldering iron that I could pick up

Sorry about that.

Huh.. On that webiste I see the PCB listing as Satan OR GH60. That is rather confusing considering that the GH60 keyboard is no longer in production.

I see the Satan GH60 everywhere (It's a popular clone of the orginal GH60) but finding a brand new GH60 is a little different.. interesting. Maybe Mechboards will comment on that. 

Variable temperature would be a nice way to start. Maybe make sure the solder you're using contains lead. The lead makes the solder flow better from what I understand. I've used solder without lead, and the circuit board I was working on became a hot mess.

Yeah I've noticed that with solder when ever I am working on pipes + Unleaded solder costs an arm and a leg .

Thanks for the help though

Pipes? Do you mean silver solder for brazing? Or are you talking about welding? Man, one day I'll learn to weld. I did some brazing work for a job several years ago. At first I made mistakes because I was afraid I would overheat the copper pipes. And yea, the stuff is like $10 per 12" silver rod? You probably used something else though.

I really need to start explaining what I am talking about don't I? lol. I'm talking about copper pipe work and such around the house, I'm an apprentice plumber so I do it pretty often.

[xtrafrood]

I can't speak for everyone else here at GH but I am curious about everything  )

[UTommieTanka]

Nothing wrong with that

Mind linking me some threads that interesting? I've had a look around but every thread I've been in is 200+ pages!

[xtrafrood]

Nothing wrong with that

Mind linking me some threads that interesting? I've had a look around but every thread I've been in is 200+ pages!

Whoops, I do have some links.

The Living Solder Thread

How to improve your soldering

Sometimes you'll find more relevant info by using google to search Geekhack 

[UTommieTanka]

Nothing wrong with that

Mind linking me some threads that interesting? I've had a look around but every thread I've been in is 200+ pages!

Whoops, I do have some links.

The Living Solder Thread

How to improve your soldering

Sometimes you'll find more relevant info by using google to search Geekhack 

Thanks for those!   

Also, one last thing. When I post I always have to do the verification image etc, does that go at a certain amount of posts or do I have to enter that all the time?

[xtrafrood]

Yup, that will go away after a certain number of posts

[UTommieTanka]

Ah great. Thanks for all the help and the warm welcome

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Soldering a keyboard is slightly different to soldering copper pipes

The good soldering threads have already been linked above.

Something you can do is find an old, broken electronic device, a DVD player or flatscreen TV.  Pull it apart to get the PCB out, and then practice desoldering and soldering the components on it.

If you break something - doesn't matter as it was broken before you started.

Rather than trying your first precision soldering on an expensive keyboard kit!

[UTommieTanka]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Soldering a keyboard is slightly different to soldering copper pipes

The good soldering threads have already been linked above.

Something you can do is find an old, broken electronic device, a DVD player or flatscreen TV.  Pull it apart to get the PCB out, and then practice desoldering and soldering the components on it.

If you break something - doesn't matter as it was broken before you started.

Rather than trying your first precision soldering on an expensive keyboard kit!

I can't believe I didn't think about that already. But yeah, I wasn't just going to jump in and ruin something that is expensive lol.

[dgneo]

Welcome to Geekhack!

For soldering irons, I'd recommend keeping an eye on eBay for a used Hakko. They make some great variable temp soldering irons, and can be had used for usually under $100. I bought mine used off eBay and it functions perfectly.

For a solder sucker, I'd recommend this guy here. Tons of tried and true reviews, you really can't go wrong with it.

[UTommieTanka]

Welcome to Geekhack!

For soldering irons, I'd recommend keeping an eye on eBay for a used Hakko. They make some great variable temp soldering irons, and can be had used for usually under $100. I bought mine used off eBay and it functions perfectly.

For a solder sucker, I'd recommend this guy here. Tons of tried and true reviews, you really can't go wrong with it.

This is the only Hakko I can find in the UK. What do you think about it?