Spec Me...

PermaBanned · 21 Feb 2010 at 18:36

...a soldering iron. For electronic work (obviously), as cheap as possible but i don't want it to melt in my hand. What accessories should i have? Stand, heat proof mat etc. but what about those weird 'crocodile clip magnifying glass' things? Thanks

Cosimo · 21 Feb 2010 at 19:36

You want an Antex iron and a soldering stand (extra) like this:

http://www.solderandsoldering.co.uk/inc/sdetail/558

If you look round you will find them as a kit.

Frozennova · 21 Feb 2010 at 19:39

Try not to skimp on quality as the cheap ones are a load of carp, I got one of an auction site for about £5 only wanted it to join a couple points on an xbox motherboard and it was honestly useless seemed to heat up but wouldnt melt the solder until about half way up the tip of the iron

Cosimo · 21 Feb 2010 at 19:57

I find a small table vice to be more useful then one of the third hand magnifier clamp jobs but I don't use one very often.