Advice on Tools Please

[CreePinG_DeatH]

I need some help with some tools that I am looking into.

First off the Dremmel- What bit accessories are really used alot for polishing, cutting, and sanding? Anything specific?

Soldering Irons- What kind of solder is best? Stuff with flux already in it? I am getting a 230 watt gun and a 140 watt iron.

And how do I clean soldering irons once they turn that brown color? Do I have to use sandpaper or something?

What other useful tools should I have for computer work? I have computer tool kits, but just wondering.

[KaHNZa]

About the soldering iron and gun, use a wet sponge to scrape the extra crap off while the iron is still hot or cooling down. And I would recomend getting the stuff that doesn't have the glue in it. Just makes a mess and stinks.

[DECODER22]

creeping omg someone form chicago i thought i was the only one hehe nice to see poeple from my city hehe

[CreePinG_DeatH]

lol yea I am from the Burbs... So is Skip you know.... he's in naperville. I'm from Elmhurst

[DECODER22]

oh thats is soo cool elmwood park here right next to elmhurst i go to accubyte in elmhurst for Motherbaords they have good deals right there on grand hehe motherbaord and cpu 1.4 ghz 169. bucks hehe

[Shadow ÒÓ]

for the dremmel, reinforced barb....don't dig deep or you'll blow a blade instantly. Stay shallow and take your time....one blade will last you a long time.

nippers can be found at any radio shack for around $10....perfect compliment to any serious case mod.

soldering irons?...no clue...I just blow stuff up...never tried to fix it. =)

[KILLorBE]

Depending on what you wanna do with the soldering iron, I suggest you get a 25WATT for small things like resistors, LED's and alike, I also suggest you get a decent one like a Weller (the best) or Antex, I'm sure there are others out there that are good too, but I use both (Weller soldering station....expensive) and a regular Antex soldering iron, they've never let me down. (the Antex is about 3 years old and the Weller 10+ years).

For small things get some solder with flux in it that is about 1mm thick, after the solder cooled down you can get the flux off with a small screwdriver (real easy, and if you do a good job there's hardly any flux to remove(if any)).

To do a good soldering job you need to use very little solder (more isn't stronger), heat the part you need to solder first (not too hot) then touch the part with the solder and let it flow (don't touch the soldering iron with the solder), Don't move the parts till they're cooled down and don't blow on the solder (You can blow on the backside of the object), if the part is heat sensitive (IC's, transitors...) use a needle nose plier to get rid of the heat (grab the leg you're soldering, I use some elastic band on the needle nose plier so I don't have to hold it, some have a spring that will close or open it).

Never inhale the smoke coming from the solder with flux in it and wash your hands after touching the solder (it contains lead, which may harm your health, the fumes may cause an allergic reaction.....astma).

BTW if you're going to use the soldering iron (gun) for the first time, let it get hot and put some solder on the tip (tinning???).

Hope this helped

[lee]

i have a dremel - they have so many different tips, unless i know what you are going to do with it, i have no idea as to tell you what to get (hehe)................is your dremel constant speed or variable? - that determines some of the different tips you'll wanna use...............as far as soldering iron goes, i have a $30 radio shack gas-powered iron that i use for mobile electronics that works pretty well for home use too - no cords and you can adjust the heat............and you can get different tips for it also............if you are "modding" your 'puter, both toolz would probably work ok...............

[NGH†Ç®ÅW£Œ®]

Creep--- hey hey i finally met up with you and i must say go with the dremel.. i saw the pic it looks cool.

[CrystalMethod]

Originally posted by KILLorBE
Depending on what you wanna do with the soldering iron, I suggest you get a 25WATT for small things like resistors, LED's and alike, I also suggest you get a decent one like a Weller (the best) or Antex, I'm sure there are others out there that are good too, but I use both (Weller soldering station....expensive) and a regular Antex soldering iron, they've never let me down. (the Antex is about 3 years old and the Weller 10+ years).

For small things get some solder with flux in it that is about 1mm thick, after the solder cooled down you can get the flux off with a small screwdriver (real easy, and if you do a good job there's hardly any flux to remove(if any)).

To do a good soldering job you need to use very little solder (more isn't stronger), heat the part you need to solder first (not too hot) then touch the part with the solder and let it flow (don't touch the soldering iron with the solder), Don't move the parts till they're cooled down and don't blow on the solder (You can blow on the backside of the object), if the part is heat sensitive (IC's, transitors...) use a needle nose plier to get rid of the heat (grab the leg you're soldering, I use some elastic band on the needle nose plier so I don't have to hold it, some have a spring that will close or open it).

Never inhale the smoke coming from the solder with flux in it and wash your hands after touching the solder (it contains lead, which may harm your health, the fumes may cause an allergic reaction.....astma).

BTW if you're going to use the soldering iron (gun) for the first time, let it get hot and put some solder on the tip (tinning???).

Hope this helped

Yeah, "tinning" is the correct term. You're also suposed to do it after you use the soldering iron, so that the tip doesn't corrode. The brown color on the tip mentioned earlier. If you do forget, you can remove it with some 100-150 grit sand paper.