Hello everyone,
I’m just getting started in electronics and would like to learn the basics the right way, especially soldering, simple circuits, wiring, and eventually small repair/build projects. I’m looking at buying this soldering kit and wanted to get some experienced opinions before I spend the money.
My goals are:
Learn basic soldering, practice on simple electronics kits, understand components, and eventually feel comfortable doing small repairs or hobby projects.
The kit I’m considering includes:
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Could you let me know if this is a good beginner setup, or if there are tools/items I should avoid or add? I’m especially wondering about the soldering iron quality, temperature control, tips, solder, flux, and safety removed link
Thanks in advance for any advice. I’m trying to buy once and learn correctly instead of starting with tools that will make the process harder.
Im and old guy trying to learn lol
@justplanecrazy1977 Hi, you will have to re-post your links because they have been removed by the spam detection tools (used on this forum) on anyone who posts links on it’s very first post as a member but by the second or the third post your links should then be allowed and no longer censored.
@justplanecrazy1977 Hi, personally, wouldn’t buy such an “El Cheapo” item since if you read below the pictures somewhere it says “It has been frequently returned by the buyers/customers and that would be a big red flag for anyone !!! If you are a Patreon on MCL’s patreon channel he has some good suggestions on what he would recommend for the soldering iron, hot air gun solder, solder sucker, hand tools as well, good terminal cutters and some form of a multi-meter testers + tons of tips and tricks etc etc . Er… but you gonna have to ,,Munch,, thru a number of videos since he gradually added stuff over time and over many videos: good video numbers to start with 83 (de-soldering tips), 82 (solder like a pro), 102(More soldering tips and tricks), 116(tolls and suppliers), 117(test equipment etc), 126(tech tips, common electronics mistakes to avoid), 131(Choosing the right power supply for your lab), 134(Basic tools to become an electronics technician), 136(choosing and using an oscilloscope), 142(wire connections and soldering tips), 146( a great bench-top DMM for you), 149(variac ind isolation transformer, questions addressed), 167(equipment needed for a basic lab), 187(the tools and test equipment I use and favor the most), 196(Weller D550 soldering gun), 229 (great tools tested for the bench), If you.re not a Patreon member YouTube is your friend: Head over to Mr. Carlson’s YouTube channel where he also showed quite a number of tools and test equipment, tips and tricks of all kinds (over the years) and all extremely useful if you try to learn electronics the right way. He also has a whole array of videos about capacitors (tips, tricks, measurements/testing them, the right kind to be used in the right place, tips and tricks on how to easily identify them and find proper replacements for each type etc etc. keep in mind that to do proper repairs you will need a proper designated area to be called Lab and start investing in some basic but really needed and helpful tool for your lab. Again, Mr Carlson has generally covered them all.
Good luck.
Thank you for that, this is exactly why I came here. How do i join this patreon you speak of? I have heard of this but know nothing about it.
Well, it is fairly simple. Head over here:
https://www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab
and choose your membership level ,credentials, e-mail address which is essential !!! to have and keep at hand at all times and….enjoy.
Tip: as you join you will have access to all videos (there is a big video list currently at 241) and if you ask questions or ask for build plans (on patreon) etc you always have to refer to a particular video number you are interested in, so everybody (is on the same page as you) can clearly understands what are you asking/talking about. Enjoy.
Below is the kind of iron I bought about 10 years ago (crazy to think about), and honestly have had zero issues with. I run genuine T12 Hakko tips and keep the temps reasonable, I have never had to replace one. I mainly use a bent tip (J02 if I remember correctly) both pcb and tube stuff with no trouble. I will say it seems like it heated faster in the beginning, but it is still perfectly usable within 20 seconds. Again this was made 10 years ago so things may have changed, but that gives you the idea. 33 bucks does seem too cheap for a combo hot air and iron. I got a separate hot air and iron combo, but was much higher priced (still amazon, backup iron and the rare case I need hot air).
I would upgrade to a true Hakko unit next go around as I am more out of the hobby phase. For someone just getting started that would be unnecessary unless they really just wanted to go all in. Stick around and watch enough videos and you will be in the same boat!
https://www.amazon.com/KSGER-Temperature-Controller-Electronic-Equipments/dp/B07PYFSCJ9
Radios + Tubes + Scopes + Cars= Nothing better!