Reddit reviews Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case

1. Chryco wiring harness
   
2. Single DIN bezel
   
3. Speakers
   
4. Soldering iron kit
   
5. Heat Shrink
   
   Tell Best Buy to go suck a lemon.

This. You can find decent starting irons on Amazon with solder. You might consider buying a few ”learn to solder" soldering kits from Amazon. They come with all the parts needed, and the instructions teach you how to assemble the components (you then have to solder them in the board it came with)

Iron set example: (good for basic /beginner projects) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H1IFT54/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1523313329&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=soldering+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51rAt23O28L&ref=plSrch

Electronics kit beginner example (these are fun to do imo)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002LUAL6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523313465&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=elenco+soldering+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=519bj4ev-jL&ref=plSrch

This is a great first kit to get you started. I bought this exact one and built like 5 keyboards with it before I upgraded to a nice Hakko station.

The one thing that you do NOT want to skimp on, though, is desoldering braid. A lot of newbies make the mistake of not planning for mistakes. This kit comes with a cheap desoldering pump, but it is garbage. It might seem pricey, but this stuff is the best desoldering braid on Earth, and will last you a long time. If you even have to desolder so much as a single switch, you'll be glad that you bought this stuff.

Outside of that, as /u/clee290 said, you'll want to watch some soldering videos. It's not terribly complicated stuff, but you'll want to have an idea of the basics to prevent common mistakes.

If you've got a nice hefty budget, if recommend a Hakko soldering iron. If you wanna go cheap, make sure you get one with a temperature control. [Here] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YA2CzbK19K8S7) is a cheap one that would do the job. I've used that model to build two let's splits. Go to YouTube and watch some "how to solder" videos

Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Works great. Most everything you need is included.

This maybe, or this. I spent no more than that on mine and it's seen me through 6 builds/rebuilds so far, and it's still working.

A proper soldering station is nice, but you can definitely get by with cheap stuff, especially if you don't plan on using it a ton.

This the Iron I order a while back. Temp control and comes with a fine tip point.

typcially id agree that you'd wanna spend a bit more and get a really nice iron, but if you're just doing casual stuff I have a mudder soldering iron kit with variable temperature and multiple tips and it's done a great job. It feels a bit cheap but I've used it to build mic preamps and a microphone with ease. Also the case is nice to have.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H1IFT54/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1491221370&sr=8-5-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mudder+soldering&psc=1

This looks like the same kit but the brand name has changed for whatever reason.

Starting out with a basic 20W handheld iron is fine. You dont need a complex temperature controlled one for you first few projects. Get a little stand so you can put it somewhere safe after each step.

Use leaded solder while you are learning as its easier to work with. Just avoid inhaling the smoke (or even get a small fan filter) wash your hands after working.

Get a basic handheld solder sucker to correct basic mistakes.

A kit like this actually looks pretty solid to start with!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H1IFT54/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493103880&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=soldering+iron&dpPl=1&dpID=51YRK651M%2BL&ref=plSrch

Use the soldering tip to heat the PCB pad and leg of the part at the same time for about a second and then touch the solder to the opposite side of the leg to the iron. Solder should flow even and form a gentle cone shape.

You probably broke off the ground wire. Unscrew the jack plate and have a look. If there's only one wire attached to the jack, there's your problem. You'll need a soldering iron, but the repair is super easy.

A little over a year ago I desoldered and resoldered my entire CM Quickfire TK because I wanted to plasti-dip the backplate (I know did it the hard way but it was interesting to do it that way". I later desoldered and resoldered every single LED because I wanted a slightly cooler shade of white.

To this day My keyboard works perfectly. I did research on soldering and practiced on an old portable DVD player.

I bought a cheap soldering kit and [higher quality solder] (https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-AM31605-Leaded-Rosin-Solder/dp/B0044UH8PC/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1500437544&sr=8-46&keywords=alpha+fry+solder) with a rosin core made specifically for PCB's.

This is what I did for a 95% clean job. Note this was my VERY FIRST time ever soldering and I think I did a pretty nifty job.

• Set the temperature to 150C on the iron
  
  
• DO NOT USE THE SOLDERING INCLUDED IN THE KIT. Use the solder I mentioned earlier. (you can find it cheap on ebay i think)
  
  
• I found the included suction pump to work better than copper wick but it's the other way around for some other people.
  
  
• The second I saw the joint melt I sucked that puppy up
  
  
• Keeping the tip is very very important. Clean the tip every 1-2 joints you solder/desolder on a damp sponge.
  
  
• After cleaning the tip melt a little bit of solder directly on it. This is called tinning and this helps you solder a clean joint very easily.
  
  
• when desoldering try your best to not touch anything that is not solder or else you'll burn the pads.
  
  
• When applying solder, you're supposed to place the tip on the thing you're trying to solder, then you place the solder on said thing :P
  
  
• sometimes you can't get all the solder out. DONT KEEP TRYING TO MELT THE VERY LITTLE LEFT OVER SOLDER. Use a pair of tweezers and jiggle the contact until the solder of solder breaks off.
  
  Look up tutorials. They're very useful

I've used what's essentially this kit for something like 9 boards so far, and it's still going strong.

You don't really need to spend a lot, if it's just for a few little projects.

Alright, so you basically have 3 options depending on how much soldering you plan to do. If you're just gonna build one or two keyboards and and will never try to do SMD, I recommend this:

• https://www.amazon.com/Tabiger-Soldering-110V-Adjustable-Temperature-Welding/dp/B01H1IFT54
  
  If you think you're gonna do this a lot, OR you've already had the cheap iron and want something better, you have two choices:
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Soldering-Station-599-029/dp/B00C2BHTBI
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000ARU9PO
  
  The Hakko is recommended by basically everyone here, and is widely used in the hobbyist world. I've used the Hakko a few times at TechShop, and it's a good station. However, I've never seen anything but a weller used commercially. I picked up a weller for my own station, I couldn't be happier with it.
  
  No matter which of these 3 you end up you'll be happy.

With this can't work? Tabiger Soldering Iron 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_d4cAybB4D0MQT

I recommend this for a cheap iron:

Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rCi3Db9SQRMBE

It's not a workhorse but has an adjustable temp. I personally know people that have used it dozens of times over 2 years so it's somewhat reliable.

I use this [soldering iron](Tabiger Soldering Iron 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_v0W4ybAC71YJM) with either the knife tip or the smallest tip. I turn the temp to the highest setting. Works great. Sometimes I have to make a couple passes but as long as the straight edge doesn't move it's not an issue. If it does move I just take my time to reset it. Webbing takes a little longer but again I just make a couple passes and it all works out.

Buy a soldering iron and take the dive!! I bought this: Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with Tool Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JcZyCb5EPZ0J1 and have used it on multiple projects happily. I’m sure better soldering irons are worthwhile, but this is all you’d need to fix that switch. Oh.. also a replacement switch... details

Recently I finished a 3S Rapidstrike build:

Motors

Microswitches

Some wire

a lipo battery

Also tools, like a soldering iron or a dremel (i don't have a recommendation here, i just use a hobby knife).

My stock flywheels recently gave up the ghost, so I replaced them with some Worker flywheels.

The only other thing that comes to mind right now are flywheel cages: consider one of these 3D printed ones from the Open Flywheel Project, or an Artifact Red cage + flywheels.

I picked up this Tabiger kit last year based on reviews, and have been quite happy with it so far; it included everything I needed, is easy to use and appropriately inexpensive given I wasn't sure I'd stick with the hobby.

(I originally had a terrible Radio Shack soldering iron, ditched that, then got a basic Weller iron that had been recommended for beginners a decade ago, but never had much luck with it and became too frustrated to practice. I strongly suspect the Weller was aimed more at "beginners" taking a supervised class, not people trying to teach themselves based on online tutorials like me.)

You need to get a soldering iron (not a gun, a soldering gun is way to imprecise for this kind of work). I think you are going to have a difficult time getting the crimp terminals on the spades to properly fasten onto the piezo leads.
Just buy some el cheapo iron for under $20 from Amazon like this one https://www.amazon.com/Tabiger-Soldering-110V-Adjustable-Temperature-Welding/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1538839395&sr=1-6&keywords=Soldering+iron&dpID=51rAt23O28L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Notes and links for self:

Soldering Iron Stand: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=soldering+iron+stand

Kit with cleaning wire: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KTICO2E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RzV.ybM81XSFD?th=1

Kit w/o cleaning wire: https://www.amazon.com/Tabiger-Soldering-110V-Adjustable-Temperature-Welding/dp/B01H1IFT54/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&dpID=51YRK651M%2BL&dpPl=1&keywords=soldering%20iron&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&qid=1493103880&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_3&sr=8-3

What is cleaning wire?

Helping hands: https://www.amazon.com/SE-MZ101B-Helping-Magnifying-Glass/dp/B000RB38X8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1493138401&sr=8-7&keywords=soldering+iron+stand

I got this one. it works great

25W is too low. You want at least 40W.

Something like this would work better.