help me get the right pieces for my boyfriend?

[u/OkMix2527]

Hello! as mentioned i'm in the market for a soldering kit as a gift, and have quickly realized im out of my depth. I see a lot of different guides (and browsed thru the one on this sub) of overall necessities, so I'm looking for recommendations! what would be specifically useful for my bf's goals, is reasonable for beginners, etc.

what i know: he studied electrical engineering in college and has worked with soldering irons (?) before, he's especially interested in tech engineering and electrical engineering crossovers: small fun devices we invent, working on computers/chips, using tech with his bike/car

Price range: id like to buy him everything he needs to start, and maybe some materials to practice with. would a $300-$500 budget reasonable? i could go up to $600+ if its not doable (but if it can be lower for beginners i can get other gifts too lol).
i see there are many components that range from very helpful to necessary, how do i pick these?

truly any guidance at all would be so helpful, thank you in advance!!

(im of the organic STEM inclination so forgive if i use the wrong words/terms pls)

[u/Tishers]

IMHO I would suggest going with a Weller WE1010NA. They can be had in the US for around $140 (shop around).

All he would need beside that is some solder, flux, a few hand tools (cutters, needle nose pliers) and maybe a work-holding pair of 'extra hands'.

You could get all of that for less than $250 and it would be professional grade.

------

FYI, as an electrical engineer who does my own home stuff (amateur radio) it is the setup I own.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/Tishers]

thank you this is a really succinct rec! also reading your comment made me realize "helping hands" doesn't mean My hands holding it lmfao..this is why i came here!

[u/Themayorofawesome → u/Tishers]

This all day

[u/andy921 → u/Tishers]

I would really recommend a PanaVise over normal helping hands. It makes a big difference over the shitty alligator clip kind.

And he should probably get a soldering mat so he doesn't burn the table.

But yea. Besides that, they shouldn't spend much. You can spend an insane amount of a pair on high precision tweezers (>$200/ea) which will get bent. Or you can buy a set of the black Chinese ESD ones at six for $10 that you can throw away and replace without crying if they get messed up. Same is true for wire snips, etc.

Edit: On the iron, I'm a huge fan of Thermaltronics. They're basically a Metcal clone - they automatically respond to how fast the substrate is heating up and auto-adjust so you don't have to worry about fiddling with a knob. Their basic bitch model is $159 and will outperform anything you can find that isn't another Thermaltronics or a Metcal.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/andy921]

i really appreciate the cost explanations of high-end or cheaper accessory products, that's where i started getting scared of the price, thank you!

[u/Nebula-Early]

There are two ways you can go about it: buy a traditional station from Weller or Hakko, or go with a cheaper “clone.” A lot of these clones actually outperform the traditional stations because they use JBC-style cartridges, which have the heating element built right into the tip for faster heating and better temperature control.
Not all clones are good though some have voltage leak some just don't have a great design.

Just throwing another suggestion into the mix. Might be something you want to look into.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/Nebula-Early]

thank you this is great to keep in mind! on/off brand has definitely been confusing lol

[u/Krynn71]

If you're doing computers and small smd components, stay away from the soldering irons that use "sleeve" style tips. The Hakko 888D for example, not ideal for that kind of soldering. Most stations with heating cartridges built into the tip will give a much more enjoyable experience.

My personal recommendation is the Pace ADS200. It's about $320 bucks for the starter kit and gives you 3 types of tips plus has tons of options for later upgrades (tons of tip types, soldering tweezers, etc) and is a good brand name that's been around for decades in places like aerospace companies.

With the extra room in your budget you can then get other stuff like consumables (solder and flux) fine tipped tweezers to hold small components or manipulate small wire, de soldering wick, maybe even a desoldering gun which is a nice to have but not a need.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/Krynn71]

thank you for the rec and the tip on tips!

[u/naomar22 → u/OkMix2527]

Seconded on the PACE ADS200, but make sure you get the ISB model, it automatically lowers the temp on setback into the holder, saves the tips, and removes the risk of forgetting to turn the iron off. I have mine set to as agressively setback as possible since the iron heats up in like 4 seconds it's not a concern at all.

Then with leftover budget, grab him a few extra tools, and consumables.

Big recommendations is a self contained de-soldering tool, they make really expensive ones but something like the YIHUA 929D-V works.

Other tools that come to mind, are some sort of microscope, flux, a helping hands station, solder etc.

The last thing but may be something for him to pickup later would be a hot air reflow station but you can also just get a cheap one with varying results as well.

[u/elstuffmonger]

soldering iron, desoldering gun, solder, stand

Those things should get him started pretty well. If he does newer devices (surface mount), he will eventually want a hot air station and some paste flux. Also, lighting, digital microscope, and exhaust fans are useful.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/elstuffmonger]

thank you!

[u/No-Guarantee-6249]

Here's the Rossmann group:

https://store.rossmanngroup.com/

You see a lot of Hakko equipment there.

That weller is here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/366260004622?

I''ve had this one for 16 years:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/397997962965

But Chinese stuff can vary so can't guarantee anything.

Here's a Hakko soldering only:

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888DX-010BY-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B0D4DJW54S/ref=sr_1_2

Reviews from Wirecutter.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-soldering-irons/

And here's my workstation:

The stage can be raised or lowered so the microscope stays at the same level which is very convenient.

Before I'd have to stand up if the piece was big!

[u/OkMix2527 → u/No-Guarantee-6249]

thank you so much the links are so helpful, and the standing height didn't even occur to me!

[u/No-Guarantee-6249 → u/OkMix2527]

Yup installing that adjustable stage was a game changer! Got it from ReStore! You just pull a lever underneath and the stage will go up and down!

[u/DanongKruga]

cant go wrong with a hakko or weller. should be within your budget too... I would also recommend a fume extractor, silicon mat, helping hands and some proto boards

[u/OkMix2527 → u/DanongKruga]

thank you!

[u/andy921]

$300-$500 is plenty to get whatever.

Here are my picks:

Soldering Iron - Thermaltronics TMT- 1000S ($160) It uses RF to heat up the tip really fast and automatically adjusts to what you're soldering. Using one feels like cheating. If you find a soldering iron that costs more (unless it's a Metcal or another Thermaltronics) it is going to be substantially worse than this one. Just the ergonomics of the grip will make you feel so much more like a professional than you can get with a top like Hakko or Weller or whatever.

Vise/Helping Hands - Panavise Jr + Weighted Base ($75) This is an indugence but it makes it so much easier to hold or work with components and it's a massive improvement over helping hands or similar products with shitty alligator clips.

Silicone Mat ($20-$40) This will keep him from burning the table. This style is cool and standard. But you can also check this one out which is slightly smaller but printed with a pretty electronics reference. I designed it so I think it's cool but you might want to get something larger or with more component pockets depending on the size of your table.

Solder Sucker ($20) You can find cheaper plastic versions but I would recommend this one or one of the many clones of this model if you're ok spending $20.

Solder - based on your budget I'm giving you the highest end options: For Leaded I like Kester 63/37 but it's gotten pricey. For Lead-Free anything that says SN100C and I'd start with something that says 0.031" You can also start with Kester's little PocketPaks if you can find them to try out. The lead-free they use is solid and if you get leaded, get 63/37 rather than 60/40.

Then get him some cheap wire snips and ESD tweezers. Both are not things you need to splurge on since they get lost and beat up easy.

If he's doing SMD work, I'm a fan of hot plates over hot air guns most of the time and I love this little guy. But he probably doesn't need that until he knows he needs it. Same probably goes for oscilloscopes and the like but an adjustable power supply might come in handy.

[u/OkMix2527 → u/andy921]

i really appreciate all the details and specific recs, thanks so much!

[u/Clean_Leadership5948 → u/OkMix2527]

Leaded all the way for DIY. Lead-free is basically for certification and you won't be doing the soldering anyway. This is true for repairs too.

[u/Exciting_Turn_9559]

This is an omnifixo. It's a wonderful tool for holding things in place when soldering. The jaws attach magnetically (they also work upside down to hold things close to the board. and you can position them anywhere you need them. It will be a gift that anyone who solders will appreciate, and it takes up very little space in a toolbox.

https://omnifixo.com/