[sdiy] Useful equipment

[GothGeek Sysadmin]

On Fri, Aug 02, 2002 at 03:03:23PM -0400, Steve Begin wrote:
> What constitutes a good soldering iron?  I'm guessing mine is far from it, since it was under 10 dollars CAN. :)
> 
> I'm on a budget, but I'm willing to spend more than I should, if it comes to that :)
> Thanks for all the great advice, I'm gonna be spending the next week or so glued to ebay, and see if I can't get a decent selection of equipment out of it!
> 

Alot depends on personal preference.
I started out using the Weller irons with the &^$#*&ing mechanical thermometer
temperature regulator.  Cant recommend them.

Go for a good Electronically controlled ESD safe iron.  I like the Ungar 9000
series because the iron is very small.  Weller bought them and now its
available as the I believe 921Z.  Doesnt have digital temp readout or anything
but I was never much into that newfangled stuff anyhow.  It is temp
adjustable and its fairly cheap ( $79 at Frys ).

Make sure whatever iron you get has a good variety of tips available for it.
Personal preference for me is the smallest chisel tip I can find.

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