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Soldering is a method of connecting two pieces of metal together by melting another filler metal in between them. There are many kinds of soldering, but this article is designed to teach you the basics of electrical soldering.

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Best cheap-o soldering pencil? (Under $40?)

Hello,

I want to start doing board lever repair for iPhones. I am on a really cheap budget, and I need a really cheapo soldering pencil and soldering tweezers. Doesn't anyone have any recommendations?

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Soldering tweezers and soldering pencils are usually way over your budget. Best thing to do is get a cheap hot air station and a soldering iron, so you can use hot air to remove the component, put fresh solder on using the iron, then use hot air to put the new component on. As long as you don't go crazy with the hot air, and cover important BGA ICs, you will manage fine.

I started off with a combo solder iron and hot air station for £40 and was doing fine. Once you get more income doing board repairs, you can reinvest into better equipment.

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4 Comments:

Thanks, do you think this one will work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2in1-Soldering-S...

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@gigabit87898 , that looks like a good start, maybe just have to find a few different tweezers to add to it, see what others think to.

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@gigabit87898 looks fine, I got a no brand one as my first (said 898D+ on it) which was good, still use the hot air station as a secondary station, has no problems removing ICs on Macbook boards

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@gigabit87898 @mayer was using a set like this, he mentioned it a while ago . He seemed to like it Its a good place to start. If your going to do anything along these lines make sure to get a hot air station with it and that it has temp control . I do a lot of this kind of work and if your looking to learn check out

Louis Rossmann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl2mFZo... and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0OiT9e_... jessabethany here on ifixit

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