Technical question - what soldering iron / solder does EBMM use?

[brett8388]

Every blue moon a switch will go bad on my EVH's and my repair guy had a hard time figuring out how Sterling's crew is so precise with their soldering work when he tries to fix them.

Any chance I could get the brand of soldering iron and type of solder you use? I have some parts guitars that we've ruined with bad solder work I'd like to try to have fixed up. My tech's stuff is from Sears I think, and it ain't cutting it.

Thanks.

 

[paranoid70]

Loner makes really good soldering irons.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

We use Weller Soldering Stations at the stores. They are great irons and heat up quickly. They make a few different stations for different budgets, ranging from $70 to $300+ The ones we use were around $200 each.

Tips:
Tin the iron before using it
Suction off old solder, do not reuse.
Use flux
Use tin/lead solder

 

[V_S]

Your soldering iron should have enough power. Else getting a pot hot enough to attach the ground wire won't work. Mine has 30 Watts and it does the job. Dan Erlewine writes in his book "Guitar Player Repair Guide" it should be something beetween 15 and 45 Watts. But I can't imagine that I want less than 30 Watts.

 

[Dizzy]

Apart from the serious professional stations - I reckon the Weller PyroPens are the way to go.

No cord, small, portable and very fast - kicks my Electric Weller's ass.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Good question since one of my guitars needs a switch replaced.

I'm lucky in that we have a lab at work with some nice Metcal solder stations. I expect they're really expensive as my boss groans if we even suggest getting another one.

jack