Best soldering gun

[Avidgrant]

Looking for suggestions on the best/ most appropriate soldering gear to get to work with these tiny circuit boards. Any suggestions highly appreciated. Also- while I'm at t. Any suggestions the best solder also appreciated. I know there are quite a few different types and sizes..... Once again- any suggestions appreciated as its been a long time!

[Silver Serpent]

Don't get a soldering gun. You want a soldering iron. Get one that is ESD safe.

I personally use a Weller WES51 soldering station. It's temperature controlled and ESD safe. I've heard good things about the Hakko brand as well (similar features to Weller, lower price).

I use 60/40 leaded solder. It flows much easier than the lead-free stuff. Get a thin gauge solder designed for electrical work. Rosin core is good.

[Avidgrant]

Wow- thanks for the quick response... Yeah sorry my terminology is a little off..... I meant an iron..... Been looking at guns and irons, and all the "guns" have huge tips. I was sort of lumping them all together-under "guns" inappropriately. I'll look for the wes51 station on Amazon- thanks!

[BartElroy]

Hakko FX888D is a really good ESD safe station. Digital controls, changeable tips, everything you need. Love mine.

[rlobrecht]

I wanted something a little more budget and got the Aoyue 469 from Amazon. Several people here recommended it. Its about a third the price of the Weller or Hakko.

[darth_chasm]

I wanted something a little more budget and got the Aoyue 469 from Amazon. Several people here recommended it. Its about a third the price of the Weller or Hakko.

Same here. I got an additional set of tips too and they seem to work a little better than the stock tip. The temp control is a little ambiguous but can be worked with. For $30 its a great tool.

[erlomd]

Aoyue 469 Variable Power 60 Watt Soldering Station

[snilam]

I have the Hakko fx888d and I use it a lot. still on the same tip I put on it when I got it a year ago. Had a cheaper weller before ($60) it was decent. Love my Hakko though. Make sure you keep the tip clean for longevity of your tips. I'm still on the first tip for my Hakko from a year ago. 60/40 is good solder and readily available. get a thinner solder if possible making your board solders easier. nothing like using solder bigger than your pad when soldering to make a mess.

[TrypWyr]

Aoyue 937+ here, best $60 my wife ever spent on me.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30QBW

[Silver Serpent]

Get a brass sponge while you're at it. It's much, MUCH better than using a wet sponge for cleaning your tips.