Yep. Everyone develops his/her own preferences.

I don't know about current prices or assortment. Try some place like
MouserElectronics
http://www.mouser.com/

73. -- Mike, K9AZS
:
----- Original Message -----
From: "JEFFREY MICHAEL KENYON" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 11:57 PM
Subject: Re: Soldering techniques for people who are blind


> Well, I guess there is not one right one for aevryone then?  I am thinking
> of the one with the pencil tip, and the gun that is in like a psring like
> holder.  It also has an on off temperature control know on it that gets
> used a lot.  How much would one of these cost me?
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2001, Michael Garrett wrote:
>
> > I use a Weller dual-heat gun for larger items such as switches,
connectors,
> > etc. For circuit boards or things requiring low heat, like
semiconductors, I
> > use a cordless (rechargeable) soldering iron. The one I use is the Wahl
> > Isotip (about $60 or so, I think). Radio Shack has had cordless
soldering
> > irons off and on. I don't know if they currently do.
> >
> > The cordless iron is an instant-heat, fast cooling tool, and can
accomodate
> > several different types of tips, including a tip for clearing bridged
> > connections. Actually, there is a knife tip which I prefer for that job.
> >
> > You can position the tip and the solder on the connection while
everything
> > is cool, just as with the gun. The "iron" has a pushbutton to hold down
> > rather than a trigger. By holding the solder vertically on the
connection
> > and touching the tip, you can feel the heat traveling up the solder so
that
> > you know that heating is occuring and feel the solder descending toward
the
> > work as it melts, so you can get an idea of how much solder you are
> > applying.
> >
> > The cordless iron is a compromize; not as efficient as an electric iron.
But
> > an iron that stays hot all the time requires really good orientation and
> > lots of practice. I don't do enough soldering any more to stay
proficient,
> > but the cordless iron meets my needs, and there is no cord to
inadvertently
> > burn and contaminate the tip with.
> >
> > 73.
> >
> > -- Mike, K9AZS
> >