Finally getting started into soldering. Never really had a high demand for the skill thus far. Till about a few weeks ago when i started getting a lot of tablet power jack fixes that i had to turn down because of no knowledge of soldering.
My questions to you guys:
1: Anyone know about the iFixit soldering kit and its quality?
2: Any tips for someone looking to learn the skill?
3: What tools do i need to get started? any you would recommend?
any help at all is appreciated
Dont know for sure, but based on the pic, its a basic cheapy soldering iron, with the basic, cheapy soldering tools. You could prolly buy most of the same kit for ~$10 elsewhere, the shrink tube separate for $3... If you want to just learn, start with a radio shack iron or something. When you know what your doing, spend $100 on a good iron, you'll be glad you did...
As said above, only real way to solder is to practice. Dead motherboards are great to learn on, because it has a mix of large and small solder points, and often provides different grades of solder (aka jacks sometimes use higher temp solder, and are therefor more of a PITA).
As for tools you need to get started, you need an iron, a solder sucker, and a good heat-resistant surface. That's it! Nice to have pliers, pokers, and tweezers, but not required. I have never figured out how to use solder wick, so I wont recommend needing that... Only need shrink tubing if your soldering wires.
The one tip I will pass (and you will hear often) is to keep you tip clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I use a tip cleaner, or brass wool in a cup thingy. A wet sponge works well just starting out also, just keep it wet and wait for your tip to get back to temp before proceeding.... and Tin often!
Have Fun!
