Di-It-Yourselfers...

Is this good for building a Foreplay, and perhaps a Paraglow?
If not, what do you recommend?

http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...y_name=CTLG_008_002_001_000&product_id=22-801

What about an appropriate soldering setup? Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

Yes, that'll do. Any analog or digital (usually better) meter will do.

For soldering, use a Weller or any American hefty that can get quick fast and strong (Not many can stand up to a Weller). There's things to buy at RS, and there's things to avoid. Oh, PLEASE don't buy RS soldering units!

http://www.ceitron.com/solder/weller.html

I've bought heaters and tips from these guys. You can also find Weller TC201/202 stations, which are best for electronic work of all kinds. eBay always has a few for cheap!

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1764291907

This is what I use. Tips are interchangable, and if the heater goes (lasts 10-13 years) then call Ceitron.

Don't mess with the wrong soldering iron. BAD idea.

 

Thanks. Can you recommend some tip configurations? How important is the variable temp feature? I currently have a standard blue 30w Weller.

 

I'll vouch for a Radio Shack soldering pencil being sucky - the tips are pretty soft and distort easily. I just bought a nice Weller pencil and will fire it up to replace some resistors in my Dynaco PAS 3-X. Now, if I could scrape up the cash for a Fluke VOM...

 

Does it use magnetic tips? A #7 is perfect. #8 is a little too hot, and also too skinny to work with most tube applications, but... use what you like. #7 works best for me.

I don't think variable temp is needed in this application. Never needed it.

My Weller's variable temp is controlled depending on what tip you put on. #7=700w, #8=800w and so on....

 

Pigmode,

I built the Foreplay with a 30w Rat shack iron. it was a struggle on the Foreplay to get some of the multiple connections hot enought. Bought a 40w rat shack iron and it was a breeze to solder the Paramours. Also, the magnet wire varnish did not burn off for me (no 'solder pot'). so I filed off the varnish and tinned the end before the final solder. this procedure worked great.

FM

 

This is exactly why a quality iron is crucial. I used a RS iron though a DIY project, and the tip burned into a deformed shape by the end of the day, and would never get hot enough. So I had to end something mid-way and it was Sunday at 8PM, so...I had to give up until I got something appropriate to solder with.

If you plan on doing more than one project, get a good iron. It pays off oh, so much. I got a used Weller and ended up buying a new heater for it. Even after that, it's WELL worth it.

 

I decided on a Fluke as well. Toys.