Recommended Soldering Iron

I like using Cardas lead silver solder with a little copper. A joy to work with . Lead free solder is useless. Too narrow a temperature flow range. Resolder a lead free joint and you get moonscape. The fumes are not lead but flux, and you should not breath lead free solder fumes either. Lead free joints crack easier and behave like a cold solder joint. On a tube socket, lead free can be a disaster. If it works great for you I tip my hat. In my hands, I only make leaded work. Sonically lead free was too bright as well. Jallen

Lead and tin have 7% and 15%(respectively) the conductivity of copper(the standard or 100%, on the IACS conductivity scale). Only silver(105%) has a higher conductivity rating than copper. It doesn't take much silver, added to a lead-based solder, to make an audible improvement. That some can't, don't or won't appreciate that; doesn't surprise me a bit(to each his own). Further- the solders I mentioned flow at lower temps, making the job faster/easier(a pleasure), and lowering the risk of damaging the component being soldered. Their fluxes are also easier on some of the metals found in our audio gear, than those in standard 60/40 solders.

"Lead makes for terrible sound"

Quite an overstatement considering silver solders are only about 2-4% Ag, with the rest being the traditional lead/tin mix (though some are available in lead-free versions). I personally loathe lead-free solder, as it doesn't have the same wetting or flow properties of normal, lead-based solder, and (to my ears) sounds considerably worse. I also tend to think that as an adult, the supposed dangers of lead solder are quite overblown. Don't eat it or suck in huge amounts of fumes and you'll be fine.

Lead makes for terrible sound. Buy either Wonder Signature Solder or WBT Silver Solder. Silver bearing solder DOES make and audible improvement. Both are a pleasure with which to work. ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/WONDER-SOLDER-SILVER-SIGNATURE-20-feet-NEW-/200574680069 ) ( http://www.partsconnexion.com/solder_wbt.html )

Hi everyone. I ended up getting my son the Hakko soldering station. He's about ready to order his first head amp kit to try his hand at this. He's been reading and watching various educational videos. I was wondering what solder works the best. I was talking to guys at work, one of who is a robotics grad. He said to use solder with lead. Any opinions on this and is there a go to brand? Thanks for any info you can provide. Also I'd like to thank you all for the iron recommendations. You should have seen his face when he opened his gift.

Stuart. Thank you. I will certainly check that out. I'm not loaded with piles of money so savings of even $15-$20 helps the habit (hobby).

You might head over to AudioKarma and search in the DIY forum. There is a reputable vendor there offering a good deal on the Hakko FX888 through the end of November. I think you will save about $15-20.

Thanks for the great information everyone. After a little pricing research it's down to the Weller WES51 or the Hakko FX-888. It looks like Amazon Prime is about the lowest price I can find. I'll probably monitor the prices on Amazon for a couple of weeks as I notice they tend to fluctuate quite a bit.

I also use the one Peter mentions. It's ver nice.

Some of us don't always need a professional grade Rigid when a Ryobi at a third the price will last for years of occasional use.

Radio Shack has a nice digital soldering station. Probably a rebranded Chinese clone of something.

Hakko FX888 Very nice, comes with a great mesh tip cleaner. Wish I had bought one a while ago.

You might also check out the Hakko

http://www.bdenterprisesinc.com/hakko-fx-888-soldering-station/

I just bought one and am really pleased with it.

I use this one: and it works very well, but I am planning to upgrade to the one Peter posted (or the digital version of it) simply because I want auto shut-off (I think this is an essential feature for hobbiest). The temperature control will also e a plus.

I use the same one that Peter mentions above.

I used that one and I like that a lot!

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=374-100

This is what we use

Weller Soldering Station

You may need to buy some smaller tips than what its delivered with - we use these

Conical Tip

Best of luck

Peter