Cheapest way to learn to solder

The best way to learn how to solder is just to plough in and start doing it.
One thing that puts people off is the indecision of which tools to get and how much to spend on them. In reality you can start with just a basic soldering iron, a roll of standard solder, a pair of side cutters to trim leads and something to solder together. You can get all those things for less than $15.
Once you've got into soldering you can then expand your tool kit as needed, possibly with a higher power soldering iron and some other basic tools like a basic meter.
There's a lot of tool snobbery on KZbin, with people implying that you need to buy premium expensive tools. But in reality, basic tools are fine. You can evolve to more specialist meters and tools as you get a feel for your chosen electronic direction.
Here are some search links to find the tools I used. They are eBay searches starting at the lowest priced first, so avoid the suspiciously low cost and feedback sellers and scroll through to the ones with high levels of feedback.
The side cutters. I use these routinely:-
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price roughly $3.50
The surprisingly usable USB soldering iron:-
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price around $7 inclusive
Generic shady eBay solder. You may be better sourcing this locally or getting a few yards/metres from a friend. You're looking for a 60/40 or 63/37 tin/lead alloy with flux. 0.8mm is a reasonable diameter.
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price around $2.50 for 50g
A kit to build or possibly even destroy as part of your learning experience. (I destroyed my first kit.)
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price from $2.50 upwards
If you go for the USB soldering iron you'll need a beefy 2.1A output power bank or phone charger to run it, noting that on a plug-in charger there will be stray AC leakage on the iron tip that may damage some delicate components. With a power bank you have a portable soldering station that can be used anywhere.
Here are some other tools you may wish to add to your collection.
The very handy 8-in-1 precision screwdriver:-
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price around $2
Jewellers pliers. Choose the flat narrow end type with serrated tips:-
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price around $3.50 to $5
For a meter you can start with a cheap one and upgrade as you get to appreciate specific features.
Watch out for sellers showing a picture of a meter, but just selling the leads!
www.ebay.com/s...
Target price around $5 for a basic meter suitable for bench stuff, but NOT suitable for mains/industrial electrical work. Most of these dinky meters are fairly accurate and a very good first-meter.
For those of you in the UK, consider a meter from CPC as it will have extra safety features for the UK market.
Remember the most important things about soldering. The iron tip should be clean and shiny and you mustn't carry solder to the component on the iron tip. It has to be melted fresh into the solder joint so that the flux can do its job before boiling off.
Then it's all down to just getting a feel for it.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.co...
This also keeps the channel independent of KZbin's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

[@beware_the_moose]

Great scott: "And I need an oscilloscope, and a signal generator..." Big Clive: "99p soldering iron and a spudger ought to do it"

[@neyoid]

Great Scott's idea is for genuine exact electrical engineering. Clive's way of engineering is a calculator and fucking about and bodging.

[@deriksteven]

@@neyoid they're under the same general topic yet they're not exactly comparable forms under that topic. I watch both. Perhaps @T C stated what he did for rhetorical purposes, such as to highlight the humor in the differences. Just a hunch. My hat is off in appreciation for Great Scott as well. He is quite meticulous and exacting in his methods, yet is (per video posts as evidence) not without abandon should circumstance warrant it. Similarly, Clive has undertaken some painstaking and tedious activities toward his pursuits as well. IMO

[@simplybeanjelly]

I'm so excited. I'm turning 17 next month and I bought one of these usb soldering irons because Clive thought they were good for another project, and normally for my birthday I have a hard time figuring out what I want, but this year I'll be getting a bunch of soldering kits from ebay to learn how to solder the right way and have some fun along the way. I do have to give a big thanks to big Clive, because his kindness and wanting to share the world of electronics has really been something that has always inspired me. I've learned a lot from his videos, and I continue to learn more, and I hope one day I'll be able to reverse engineer things the way he does, because electronics have always fascinated me, and I understand what basic components do, but I'm still quite puzzled by the way that they work together in order to create a circuit. That's the next thing I want to learn as I start assembling the kits that I get :)

[@crypticnxnja]

Haha he didn't reply 😂😂😂😂😂

[@daviddigital6887]

You sound very smart. I worked in a small electronic factory when I was young. I did a few types of soldering and spot welding components. Im old now and forgot most of it but lately wanted to work on a guitar. I bought a small soldering kit and gonna try practicing a bit. Its good that your interested in something positive and learning skills. Good for you !

[@williamsykes7803]

@@crypticnxnja you’re mean 😡

[@crypticnxnja]

@@williamsykes7803 boo hoo

[@williamsykes7803]

@@crypticnxnja stupid as well hey? 😐

[@ConnerBurns]

Clive, videos like this are so important to growing interest and lowering barriers into electronics. Even us poor folk need help getting started. Thank you for what you're doing, keeping it fun, and being so patient. Long Live Big Clive!

[@spartan456]

I've always held the belief that it's not necessarily the paintbrush that makes a good painting, it's the painter who uses the paintbrush. Despite this, I was still shocked that dinky little 8W USB iron had the ass to solder anchor leads on a mini USB port. I might have to pick one of those up just for the novelty. I have all sorts of fancy equipment these days, but I often find myself having more fun using less-ideal equipment. It sort of adds a challenge to it, I guess. Great video bigclive.

[@bluetrinityhaloseven7244]

In SOME ways though even in function alone for what you use it for IT IS SUPERIOR, I mean come on you can be out in the sticks if you want to and still solder away for days with one of those and proper banks...

[@spartan456]

@@bluetrinityhaloseven7244 I agree entirely, I've done some pretty crazy work with some of the cheapest tools. It's just as much your own skill in using the tools as it is the tools themselves. Of course there is an eventual breaking point, 8W is still 8W and if you need 20W to deal with a ground pin, there's no way to break the laws of thermodynamics. But it's still satisfying when you manage to do good work with the cheapest of tools.

[@madsighntist14]

Clive, I have been soldering since the ~Late 50's~ I was in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1968, doing Avionics Communication Repair, and I MUST SAY, this is "The BEST" beginning Soldering Course I have ever seen! Thanks for showing the "new electricians" ~How Its Done~ !!!

[@dnwheeler]

As the saying goes: if it smells like chicken, you're holding it wrong.

[@BerndFelsche]

Sizzles like bacon

[@ewozniak5228]

More like burnt chicken feathers....

[@beware_the_moose]

pork. it always smells like pork. If it smells like chicken you're I'm not even sure what.

[@ewozniak5228]

@T C If it smells like pork, then what are you???

[@DevinGates]

If it's not on fire, it's a software problem

[@kuhrd]

I live in WI, USA and I haven't seen any of those extra shipping charges on eBay so far. I still recommend that my students get a 25 watt Weller or another brand of soldering iron that is UL rated and outlet powered as their first iron just for safety, longevity and that many of the Weller and Radio Shack irons include a small amount of solder. I still have all of the soldering irons I have ever purchased and so far they all still work even with some having thousands of run hours. The only one I have ever had issues with is the temperature-controlled station and that was due to the cable on the iron developing a break. Replacing the cable to the unit brought it back to being useful and I made the cable about 3 feet longer so I could have the station on a shelf above the work area. I guess I can see the point of starting out with a very cheap iron but I never want very cheap tools to spoil a new person's entry into the world of electronics.

[@Superspemo]

About the 1.18$ shipping tax: One of those Chinese sellers contacted me (on their own, after an order didn't arrive) and told me that the 1.18$ shipping tax has been added for europe because of the current situation. many of the shipping companies these sellers used stopped shipping to europe, or had big problems doing so. They changed to SpeedPAK just for that reason, to make sure you get your stuff. I noticed that since then the tracking works better aswell

[@Pinz314]

Haven't noticed the price or missing items from Ali. Had about 50 shippings coming in this year.

[@erikdenhouter]

I ordered an rf generator in China the first half of this year, and paid. Got the confirmation that it had been shipped, but after 12 days the status of the tracking changed to 'The seller has cancelled the order. . . '. I contacted the seller, and he announced that I had to pay about € 40.00 before he would resend the item. He said that due to 'the situation' he could not afford the free shipment anymore. Got my money back.

[@MetalheadAndNerd]

I constantly buy stuff from China via AliExpress and except of some price increases which mostly have leveled off again I don't notice any changes.

[@gabest4]

Every time I solder: "don't forget to buy one of those 3rd arm holders". Next time I solder, still no holder.

[@penfold7800]

They can be useful, but also limiting, cos it's a nightmare trying to get the optimum angle for you to solder the joint and actually be able to see what you're doing.

[@timi6050]

same

[@kaikart123]

@@penfold7800 The are a must for someone with shaky hands like mine

[@greg6162]

@@kaikart123 I hear ya... I solder like Michael J Fox

[@mindovermatter3988]

It's literally the only thing I'm missing. It will probably only come in handy occasionally but when it does come in handy it's nice. Sadly I don't have one. I have some alligator clips and I'll probably just end up making my own

[@yLezTilez]

Such a gem to the community! Slowly getting through your vast library of videos, and like many, I want to learn as well. (For my r/c hobby) Thank you for this one especially

[@NielMalan]

This is so good, learning to solder from a master. It took me a long time to learn to solder well: it was in the 80s, I had the wrong tools, and there was nobody to teach me.

[@daishi5571]

By the time I got to electronics in school, I was vastly better than my teacher. About 2 months in to the school year, he apologized said that he had nothing to teach me and told me just to turn up for tests and he would pass me.

[@michaelthibault7930]

Common disasters and their possible remedies.

[@mcgyver272000]

I grew up on heathkit projects in the US. My father would buy them for his college classes, then draft us youngsters to build them for him. I still go out every few years and buy some small random kits like led flashers, jack-o-lantern candles, etc. One of my bigger projects last year was to build a 9x9x9 led cube.

[@almostanengineer]

I haven’t burnt myself with a soldering iron yet, but I have attempted to take a hot bar out of a fire, and attached my hand to the live connection of a tumble dryer door catch when changing it. Top tip on that one, unplug the dryer, and not the washing machine 🙄😅

[@stewartmcdonald4121]

:)

[@kc5402]

Daniel, you are a prime example of the saying "every cloud has a silver lining". Although you have had some dodgy experiences, you've now turned them into comedy gold for the rest of us! Cheers! 😄

[@almostanengineer]

K C when I did it I wasn’t best impressed, six months of not being able to use my right hand wasn’t fun, but I find it funny now 😂

[@extrastuff9463]

@@almostanengineer Ouch, did you at least gain some superpowers like for example writing somewhat readable with your left hand? And yeah after recovery it does can become a good story (assuming a full/good recovery), sucks at the time though to go through that.

[@almostanengineer]

Extra stuff nope, just a scared finger, arm and lack of tactile touch in that finger 😔

[@stridermt2k]

I love that iron! Still working through delicious 90's era 60/40. Yes! Build stuff or alternately un-build stuff. That's what I did and still do, only now I get paid for it as well as for a hobby. Excelcior!

[@patriksezerins9517]

Yeah the 60/40 is the best. Well in my country u can mostly only buy that. And it is very cheap.

[@skrenos]

@@patriksezerins9517 63/37 is superior. Slightly lower melting point (183 vs 188c) and doesn't have a semi-solid state. It just snaps from liquid to solid.

[@patriksezerins9517]

@@skrenos I havent heard of 63/36. Does it have 63%tin and 36%lead?

[@erikdewane3319]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video, bigclive (the comments around 13:03 and 14:47 are important too!). "You never forget your first .... soldering iron"

[@okcantbelieveit294]

My son’s an electrician so I’ve “ acquired “ quite a quantity of his tools and a fluke meter as well. I keep nudging him to buy a soldering station but that’s work in progress. In the days before electric soldering irons , at least in our household, dad used to have a series of copper irons ranging from small to humongous heated by the old kerosene blowtorch. Used to be a bit of muttering when said torches jets became sooted up and blocked. Happy days though.

[@uiopuiop3472]

Also a tip for starters: If you have smaller gauge solder, you can use a Butane lighter (preferably a jet flame one, but any grill lighter that has a longer neck will work well) to do some rougher cable soldering jobs. Simply put both sides of the to-be soldered cables together, and wrap the solder around them a few times. It will make a pretty solid connection, and you can follow it up with some heat shrink tubes. There are also heat-shrink solder butt connectors, that are just a normal heat shrink tube with solder in the middle. Clive made a pretty good video about them as well, I can recommend it if you want to work with them. But beware: if you use the heat shrink butt connectors, some of them that are lower quality can't make a proper contact and will not dispense enough solder for a solid connection. So if you want to buy a cheap butt connector that you will use for higher currents, or just don't need the convinience of them, just use normal solder instead.

[@tylerlloydboone]

These videos are priceless Clive. Thank you so much for adding more educational/inspirational videos to your channel. Please continue you to make videos of this nature. I am by no means a beginner, but still greatly enjoy videos demonstrating the fun of electronics, with a low barrier to entry. Keep up the great work

[@bl0rkatr0n]

When you talked about burning yourself on the soldering iron, I had flashbacks to my youth. I was already into electronics back when I was a young child and was using my dad's iron (similar to your old 25 watt thermally balanced one) to build a kit. Then I accidentally knocked the hot iron off the table and instinctively caught it. Haven't burned myself on an iron since and the times I dropped it I sure as hell didn't try catching it again.

[@ale6242]

Haha, when I was a wee lad I absentmindedly picked up the iron by the metal shaft... ooh, boy were those some big blisters!! I've never done that again, but I have burned myself a fair few other ways hahaha

[@ZZtop-gg3lu]

I also do know that reflex, first happy I caught it but there was an instantly regret

[@gentarofourze]

Happened to me when I was about 7 years old, my brother used to use soldering iron on our shared bedroom floor, my dad was ill at the time so quite grumpy and was telling me off one day in the doorway and I dropped something, he told me to pick it up and I said no and he thought I was being rude, so I put my hand on floor got a severe burn that got infected and my skin swelled took about a month to heal, Because of that, mixed with a similar experience with hot glue when I was 12 put me off to a year or so ago (im 38 now) now I feel like an old dog.

[@benkeysor7576]

Try putting your hand right on top of a very hot 30 watt iron. I was fix the speaker connection on my guitar amp then sat the iron on top of it when I was finished. I then proceeded to get up and not paying attention I put my hand on top of the amp for leverage and BAM! Hand goes right on the very hot iron. Needless to say I had a nice soldering iron shaped scar on the palm of my hand for about a week.

[@waldevv]

@@ale6242 I did the same thing when I was a child, we had woodworking lessons in primary school and sometimes we worked on electronics, and one time without thinking I just grabbed the tip of the iron like a pencil and it was painful for days I doubt they would let kids solder completely unsupervised anymore like we did back then, those soldering stations had holes melted through them all over the place and I think one time someone poked the iron deep enough to short it out and it cut the power to the class

[@Flymochairman1]

I ordered 2 rolls of 'Leaded-solder' from a ReSpectable company in 2019 and they sent 'Lead-free' solder instead. I argued with them on the phone about it and they sent a ream of new requirements for 'Lead-free' provisions and legislation. Look after what 'Lead-based' solder you have, if that's what is preferred, and also the tins of flux, which may be next; it being the greater 'vapour raising' substance in the soldering process. Cheers Clive. Keep Well, sir!

[@AW-Services]

Lead free is shit. It's doesn't bond and creates so many issues

[@pentachronic]

You can still get leaded solder. You just can't use it for production. As a matter of fact for military and aerospace you have to use leaded.

[@Flymochairman1]

​@@pentachronic Thank-you Gazza. Military and NASA say lead-free is no use! I see Rapide selling ordinary leaded solder in 100g rolls. I'm a hobbyist and even after saying that to the company I dealt with down the phone, they wouldn't sell me ordinary electrical solder with any lead content. There must be a worry that I'll try and eat it or something of that idiocy or scale of stoopid!

[@mattfleming86]

Well Clive, I started with a wood burning iron. It was terrible but it made a joint. I later bought a cheap Weller (us) It was quirky.. and while I fixed THOUSANDS of USD worth of medical equipment, microsopes, and vehicle components, and other random- the iron was cheap and pitiful. It constantly tried to self destruct. It paid for itself but I loathed it. Thanks to your teaching, I moved up to a Yihua 939 with the digital temp display and enough electronic paraphrenalia laying around that I'm quite comfortable. Your videos helped me more than anything. Watching you solder a million things I absorbed the basics. It gave me confidence. I tried some things when I was a kid... with a huge "gun" iron and the wrong type of solder. Its no wonder I spent many years thinking it was some sort of dark art. Nope.. just need the basic CORRECT materials and some practice.

[@bigclivedotcom]

And that single important bit of not carrying solder to the joint, but applying the fresh solder into the joint so the flux is released at the right time.

[@pileofstuff]

The thing that impressed me the most about that cehapie USB iron is that it heats up to working temperature faster than any other iron I have in my collection.

[@erikdenhouter]

Not sure, but maybe the 5V needs less safety standards, which will place the heater in a more efficient place.

[@pileofstuff]

@@erikdenhouter I suspect the lack of thermal mass in the tip plays a large part in it.

[@bluetrinityhaloseven7244]

I've been playing with this stuff my whole life...decades. Yet in this short 23 minute video I JUST LEARNED how to properly solder a circuit board with ease WITH ONE WATCH (though I will revisit it later likely before initiating my first project perhaps). So of coarse I had to thumb this video up, been watching this channel years too...so pretty happy with some of this new content!

[@notna4081]

thanks for showing me this, i've looked at many tutorials already but none of the ones i found were any good. i guess i just like to listen to you, and it helps me that you go into detail a lot. thanks!

[@poellot]

Pretty good video for anyone wanting to start out. One think i think you should mention for any younger people that may be doing this there whole life, fume extractor. One can be made from a simple pc fan pointed away from you. I personally dont solder every day so I'm not worried about the vapor from the flux. As you said i just learned to breath before the smoke rises. But for beginners i think a fan pulling the smoke away from them could help then concentrate on learning to solder easier if smoke is not going in there face.

[@richardperritt]

He and Element14 parted ways a couple of years ago. Element took over the channel (thebenheckshow) and Ben Heck is now independent (benheckdotcom) but isn't as active. This was part of his decision - the production schedule became too much.

[@die_Katze98]

The timing for this is impeccable. I'm about to start a project for university in which I intend to use some basic electronics, so this is exactly the information I needed - trying to work out what to get to start with has been a bit daunting!

[@wherami]

agreed. get lots of cheap solder kits to start with. especially ones that are for beginners. practice practice practice. This was one of your best videos. Really should promote this video again to users.

[@vidasvv]

I was impressed with the cheapo USB soldering iron, Been soldering over 60yrs and even took a NASA certified soldering course. Bottom line, PRACTICE ! 73 & tnx 4 upload!

[@BigJo3]

Thank you for this. As a viewer that has been watching for years but never attempted anything electrical this sure helped to finally give it a go

[@Chris_Silverhaze]

I've had pretty much zero soldering experience, apart from looking over Dad's shoulder as a boy, but I've recently managed to make my own bench power supply from an old desktop PSU, as normally I'd only need 12v or 5v for things. I think I've wired the LEDs wrong as they don't work now lol, but I've got binding posts with 12v 5v 3v and ground in there. Saved me a few quid, and really fun to do, plenty of KZbin guides.

[@kac3514]

you get a 3$ 25w soldering iron here in India which is obviously not thermally balanced, but there are even cheaper versions available close to a dollar or two which suck. For its price it gets the job done but surely not good for most work. I myself started with it and upgraded to the yihua 939bd+, which is amazing and also had a real neat wiring and a clean double-sided PCB inside.

[@PaulOvery001]

Places like PCBWAY support Shared Projects, you get a small cut if others order your project. (lots of neat projects a click away)

[@richardbrobeck2384]

have you ordered from PCBway ? I am looking at getting some circuit boards made up for a project

[@phydeux]

I was never really taught to solder, just kinda figured it out for myself from the instruction cards that came with the equipment. Did a pretty good job of it too. Managed a video game arcade and my stuff always held up well. I'm glad to see I was doing it correctly too. Now I just enjoy watching Clive and Louis Rossmann making it all look easy. :D "Things worthy of note": I wish Louis Rossmann would blow more things up. :D

[@gregorythomas333]

Always love the building of kits that you do...and the accompanying monologue that is in you nice soothing voice.

[@bigsky1970]

That USB soldering iron would be fantastic to take "out in the field" when you don't have access to mains power and just need to do some basic soldering. As someone else mentioned, this kind of content lowers the barriers for those like myself to get their feet wet in soldering, without breaking the bank account.

[@eginteractive]

I remember starting out with a $15 RadioShack iron. The tips were huge, it took forever to heat up, it couldn't desolder anything substantial (I was replacing capacitors on an LCD monitor), but it opened my eyes to the awesome world of DIY electronics / repair. I still use my cheap Chinese station (the same one as Clive has, only under a different name). My first meter was a GE2524, it still works and I still frequently use it at home. I have young guys I work with who see my Fluke 117 and they think that if they go out and buy an expensive meter they'll somehow become better technicians. Nothing can be further from the truth. Nice tools are just that, nice. If you're in the U.S. you can get the free Harbor Freight meter and it works absolutely fine for DIY work. If anything, save hundreds on meters and actually invest in a good set of test leads for whatever meter you have. The most expensive meters are still garbage if the leads you have are crap. When starting out, I'd say the most important thing is learning technique. There have been a lot of people who never learn good technique, spend hundreds on the "best" equipment, and still can't produce good looking (and functioning) joints. Starting out with cheap equipment just gives you an appreciation for good equipment once you actually know what you're doing and have practiced.

[@uwepolifka4583]

I bought my first Antex in 1983. It has 15W and is working until now. I like it because it is like a pen.

[@Michaelc-gn3eg]

I remember getting a blob of solder on my hand it dug a pretty good hole in my hand. That spot hurt for the next couple of weeks after that. And still got the scar from it I was 13 at the time it happened.

[@emilychb6621]

That solder must have been rather cool, whenever I dripped extremely hot solder on my limbs it would just roll of leaving a trail of minor burns that would stop hurting after a day.

[@Michaelc-gn3eg]

@@emilychb6621 I'm not sure I just know when it hit my hand it hurt

[@DanielLopez-kt1xt]

I couldn't agree more with this video. I have the previous touch usb solder iron for unexpected jobs and to avoid using extension cords, the same bad "Paleto" cutter, but already mooved to local high quality lead based solder tin, and also have a generic T12 temperature controlled soldering station. Also started myself with some random suite kits, to then moove to other slightly more advanced kits (there's a 10€ power supply, a component tester and an oscilloscope quite good for practice, that gives you something useful once you finish). However, the best thing i "inherited" from you was the skill to hold both the soldering wire and the components with just one hand, that's the most useful thing, I'm already used to the harmless burnt sensation. I'd dare to say that you increase some products demand after your videos.

[@twizz420]

A really good iron to use is the TS-100. I chose that over a Hakko 888 and it's absolutely awesome. I can run it either on a laptop power supply (12-24v) OR I can use it with a +3C battery pack. There's also the TS-80 which is USB-C powered, but it's a little more weak compared to the 100. But both give you digital temperature, shutoff, current, and lots of other options. And the firmware is open source IIRC. There are some good firmwares online. Lots of great reviews on youtube, as well. I think even Louis Rossman got one and said it was awesome.

[@davidshutt1136]

I really like that spring steel thing you use to "disect" plastic enclosures

[@bigclivedotcom]

It's an iSesamo spudger. The copies are nowhere near the quality of the original one.

[@teamtiki]

I have one of the older USB irons, with the 555Timer touch switch, to solder high mass connectors and such I found a trick. An ebay buck convert, and a usb socket, Juice it up around 6+volts and it will flow some pretty large terminals. I'm sure it cuts the life of the element, but i've done it a dozen times and its still going.

[@pugsterjosh7925]

So I actually bought a set and practiced for the first time on one of those “suites” yesterday. It’s safe to say the joints were dreadful, alas, it worked as intended! I count that as a pretty strong start.

[@bigclivedotcom]

That's fine. The only way to learn is to do it.

[@MrRoomba2321]

2 years of soldering and thinking I couldn't solder for crap. And this one video just made me realize I was using lead-free solder the whole time making the joints look cold...

[@vtbn53]

That USB soldering iron is a great little standby even for professionals, I constantly need more soldering irons even though I have a dozen or so - you can't have too many soldering irons. I wish I could get them here in Australia at that price.

[@robertallen5890]

I love this guy from Isles of Men. long live the Scott! May he continue to get the same things we buy from China and take em all to bits exposing those only who dare to ship things which were not up the standards of sir clive.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Great soldering Clive. Back in the day when I learned soldering we had to use a heat sink for transistors. Nice soldering iron, not too complicated. I totally agree with you about cheap solder wire, it can be more trouble than it’s worth.

[@snowdaysrule]

Another good search term for ebay kits is “high voltage diy” they cost around $3 and are straight-forward and fun to build. Just be aware that the high voltages involved are potentially dangerous so exercising caution and taking appropriate safety measures is a must.

[@NachoChurro]

I just got materials to start practicing soldering this week! I had much more budget to work with so I went with: RadioShack Flux, 60/40 solder, and wick. $20 Yihua 852D+ : $61 Mastech MS8268, $34 Although, I'm not sure if I need a bench power supply yet. I was thinking of getting some secondhand ones that colleges occasionally sell but unsure if I should even spend that much without having practiced enough on my soldering.

[@frogz]

make your own ;)

[@3vIl3aGl3]

For a bench supply you could get a computer or even server power supply off ebay. For the ATX computer ones there are actually chinese breakout boards, that allow you to just break out the 3.3, 5 and 12V rails from the supply. Alternatively you can modify it yourself.

[@benkeysor7576]

@@3vIl3aGl3 I use computer power supplies That I take out of old machines, mostly for the high amperage 12 volt section. You just have to make sure it's grounded unless you put it in a plastic case and remember that the green wire has to be grounded to power it up. I've been using one supply for my subwoofer amp since it can supply up to 17 amps at 12 volts.

[@Dee_Just_Dee]

RadioShack? What universe are you living in? They've been defunct for like 10 years now.

[@JohnDoe-uo7kb]

@@Dee_Just_Dee Apparently they're still a thing. I think they've been bought by another company.

[@cojones8518]

I scrapped out a small 32vDC 2A power supply from something(don't remember how it got in the junk pile) and bought a cheap DC-DC converter board. Took the trimmers off the board and wired in some pots. Added a Volt Amp meter and some binding posts. Now I've got a pretty good power supply that delivers about 28VDC at 2As to let the magic smoke out of stuff with for about 15 bucks. :D

[@shelley1211]

I got myself a butane powered soldering iron from Amazon not to long ago, for wiring my truck lights ect outside, instead of dragging a long extension out and it’s pretty good I think not so goo in lay-bys in the wind but it’s works quite will, I’ve just got to remember not to place it down on things that melt

[@dazzerda]

great video - bought the older version of that iron when you tested it in a previous video and is still good, but having a proper on / off switch have bought this one too, great little iron exceeds all expectations. Thanks

[@rizkyp]

I like how he actually use a cheap but functioning tools, unlike most KZbin channels if it is not JBC or Hakko it is garbage. The professional are definitely spoiled by their expensive tools and forgot how the started.

[@tbelding]

I started learning with a soldering gun. I even have a nice brand new one in a case in the garage. For me, one of my 'most used' tools is a solder sucker. I've never had good luck with solder wick. I use no-clean rosin lead based solder.

[@tbelding]

@M Harris - I just bought three cheap ones; the bodies are still aluminum, the tip is nylon or teflon, and they have pretty good force. I suspect that they'll gum up before things actually fail. My last cheap one took 10 years to die.

[@NiyaKouya]

I bought my soldering equipment mostly from a local (German) electronics store and probably went slightly overboard for first-timer equipment, but it works fine xD Temp-controlled soldering station with swappable tips, a roll of quality solder (Stannol HS10, SN60Pb39Cu1), Knipex side cutter (though I mostly use the cheap Chinese one that came with my 3D printer...), Jokari Super 4 Plus cable stripper (definitely agree with what others mentioned about automatic strippers, it tends to remove parts of the copper core on thin wires). Rest of the equipment came from Amazon/Ebay. My multimeter looks almost identical to your TackLife one, got it mainly because it is (or at least claims to be) a CAT III model, so you can also check/measure wall sockets, light switches and other equipment that runs directly on mains voltage. Once you start working with perf boards to put together small circuits it also doesn't hurt to get a crimping set for dupont (or similar) connectors. And I support keeping at least a few of those snipped-off resistor (etc) legs, they make quite decent "bridges" if you want/have to cross tracks on a perf board ^^

[@magnets1000]

The extra shipping is for speedPAK which is fast shipping (1-2 weeks). If you use regular china post now it takes 6-8+ weeks. I assume a lot of sellers don't bother with slow post as they will get complaints

[@joewrose]

Followed the advice in this video and bought myself all I need to get soldering, hopefully it goes well!

[@daishi5571]

LOL The tips alone for my iron cost as much as your kit, and the iron didn't come with any tips. That kit is still better than what I started with 40 years ago.

[@bigmanlizard7326]

what i did to get better at soldering was bought like 5 pounds of stripboard and the cheapest random resistor pack i could find and just soldered them onto the stripboard

[@piwex69]

I guess Dave the Kangaroo would vomit during the part on cheap multimeters. Thumbs Up!

[@goldenpun5592]

I really gotta get back to my kits I got cuz of you. I was building a kit but I kept messing up the solder. Plus free time is at a premium so i usually end up doing other things.

[@evensgrey]

Ben Heck parted company with Element 14 quite a while back. He's got a new channel on KZbin now, and his style hasn't changed.

[@NiHaoMike64]

@Viktor Petrov kzbin.infovideos

[@WyvernDotRed]

My first soldering iron was a horrible 45W station that used a phase angle 'dimmer' on the element and could not deliver much power to a joint as the tiny tip had barely any thermal contact to the element. Some time ago I upgraded to a TS100, which works perfectly on small joints and does large joints if you give it some time to heat up. Initially I powered it with a 12V supply I rescued from the garbage which I used to solder in a different cable in a cheap 18,5V laptop power supply I got for free. The higher voltage of the power brick gives it a lot more power (still well within the 24V max spec). It still feels weird to use, as the iron is the size of a normal pen, but it has a lot more power than my old station.

[@NotoriousPyro]

I tried the amp setting a while ago on unfused and connected it to 630v 550uF caps... 4 in series... it went BOOM.

[@Rick_Makes]

Great video Clive. I'll be saving this to share when people ask what they need to start soldering. I might even pick up one of those soldering irons to put together a mobile kit.

[@nutsnproud6932]

Thanks for the video Clive. I was skeptical about USB irons. I'll have to get one and a meaty power bank too. And I need some more Poundland screwdrivers.

[@PraxZimmerman]

$5 soldering iron from Walmart, comes with solder. It's saved my butt on a few remote jobs.

[@michaelmellor3383]

Man this video is awsome, ur straight up and humble, ive seen so many videos that say you NEEd And expensive digital iron and desodering iron and i just needed something simple to explain some things better cuz im a hobbyist RCs and speakers mostly, genuinely fire video

[@bigclivedotcom]

For big speaker connections a higher power iron is preferred.

[@michaelmellor3383]

@@bigclivedotcom understood and thanks, but frl I'm not messing with any like car audio just PC, home theare, and some Bluetooth speakers here and there

[@michaelhoodleeder]

Thank you so much. You're an endless source of inspiration. You know how to live in a crazy world.

[@lemagreengreen]

I've been using that exact cheapo USB soldering iron a lot these past few years, it's actually pretty much ideal for the odd soldering I do. I know there's probably better out there and eventually I'd like to set up a workbench area for electronics, soldering etc. but right now I need all my fixing-electronics stuff to fit in a box I put in a cupboard and that little iron is ideal, I like the size for working on small stuff too but it's surprisingly cable given its low power.

[@lamothe87]

Building a workbench is definitely a process and takes time. An easy way to get some good equipment cheaply is to want local marketplaces for vintage gear, it is usually too heavy to ship economically and can be 1/10th the price of new equipment of similar specs.

[@lachlan1971]

My first soldering iron was one of those yellow Antex ones. I still keep it handy as spare, good iron.

[@rocketlanterns]

The saying I go by is that you should only ever buy a tool twice. First time get it cheap. Then when a tool gets destroyed, get a more sturdy version of it since you clearly use it a lot.

[@matthewmiller6068]

Little meters are fun...especially the ones with no fuse on high current seting...

[@andrewfking]

I realize that Pound Land is the same as Dollar Store in the states, but that doesn't stop me from chuckling every time you say it.

[@dscrafted]

7:45 we always used those because they can be quick and reliable all the time and you can strip a long wire fast.

[@pulesjet]

Born in 57 In 1970 I learned to solder at school . Went to the store purchased a Iron and have always had one. Ya mean it's not part of life ?

[@1marcelfilms]

Not anymore

[@pulesjet]

@@1marcelfilms Again the Marxist PROJECTING THEY'RE CRIMES ON YOU.

[@FarWesternGarrison]

It’s part of my life, once you go with a soldering iron you never go back to your solderless life

[@KarldorisLambley]

i made a version of this circuit myself, no doubt badly. i like to get a vague idea of a circuit then crack on with breadboard to see if i can work it out. i used a 520N 'fet as there was one on my bench from earlier. the 3.3v barely turned it on. so i used a TLL shifter, into the 'fet. I also did it using a wee signal transistor to turn on the 'fet. i have had great fun, although i did accidentally give a 5mm led about 12v. oops. it went CRACK, and split perfectly down the middle, one half struck my spectacles. it was intriguing to see the little scorched bubble around chip in the middle.

[@sounddaddyno1]

Great Video for anyone starting out, My missus has recently enjoyed watching me make all sorts and wanted to learn solder, i got her a little soldering kit from CPC and now she's away making 12v LED String Lights (xmas lights) and some cheap ebay kits. I had a go with her solder and hated it, I personally use loctite multicore 309 60EN 60/40 solder, i'm now intrigued on what other pro and hobbyist users like??

[@Smidge204]

Old PC power supplies are also nice; ATX units have 3.3v,, 5v and 12v (as well as -5v and -12v rails which are great for opamp stuff). You don't even need anything fancy to get started, though things like binding posts could make a great accessory. Beware that they are not isolated like batteries are, though.

[@0x8badf00d]

It needs to be really old to have -5 V. I have a computer which still has -5 V, but it's likely only used for the one ISA slot. 1999 vintage

[@-yeme-]

you can buy cheap little interface boards on ebay that accept the 24, 8, 6 and 4 pin connectors on ATX psus and break them out to 4mm banana sockets.

[@penfold7800]

It's also worthy of note that the mini soldering iron has a very small tip and a thin shaft to the tip, so very handy for intricate wiring jobs where a traditional iron would be too cumbersome and too big for the solder pads.

[@BedsitBob]

I buy my solder at my local market. It probably costs a bit more from than eBay, but the quality is very good.

[@richardtwyning]

I've been into electronics since I was a child. 40 years now 😄 Just subscribed to your channel. Interesting that you've shown a USB soldering iron. Thought you would avoid something like that like the plague 😁 I recently treated myself to a new iron after 35 years, one of those temperature controlled ones with a base unit. £17 from ebay 😁

[@hrnekbezucha]

There is also a full-on mains powered, adjustable soldering iron for $9US I'm eyeballing right now, it's called "80W LCD Digital Adjusted Temperature Electric Soldering Welding Iron 180-500℃" And it uses the tips of the 936 so I can get my beloved knife tip.

[@ncot_tech]

There's an incredibly dodgy cheap store where I live (the kind that's rammed floor to ceiling with pans, kids' toys, suspicious electronics and cans of drink with non-English labels). They sell those side cutters at £2 a go so I buy them in multiples. They don't last long but at £2 each I don't care :) They sell plug in mains soldering irons too, but I'm too scared to buy one and plug it in.

[@Pch100]

My father Taught me how to solder braze and weld when I was a boy every boy should learn

[@alfie5281]

I'm 12 and I already know how to program solder weld and forge all thanks to my dad

[@evensgrey]

It was my oldest brother, who recently retired from a career as an electronics technician.

[@mfx1]

And not girls?

[@BenQuigley]

@@mfx1 pfft no obviously girls can't weld /s

[@michaelbaae]

I learnt soldering by myself when I was 8 yrs old... my dad didn't teach me

[@jjab99]

I must admit I would love to have access to your Gerber files from your projects, so if you do decide to post them, I am sure you make a lot of people very happy indeed. Stay safe and have fun, Joe

[@ohnoitschris]

I really like these beginners videos. I gotta get one of those tiny little LED kits

[@sonofedmund5004]

I like the old Bib Wire Strippers, average price 50p at the local boot sale.

[@EsotericArctos]

Those little USB irons are really great. Not for high mass joints, but for general stuff they are fantastic. Very light and heat up quickly. Not so sure about cheap solder though.

[@jeremytravis360]

That was my Birthday treat Clive. Got most things yers ago just completely buried.

[@devlad]

Saw the little USB soldering irons first on your channel Clive. Now I use them quite a bit for minor work, especially when portability is required (e.g small wires in automotive projects)

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

I wish this video was up when I started soldering almost a decade ago, it would have saved me many weeks of allowance then.

[@RainmanRaysRepairs]

Defiantly here to learn to solder! 🤓

[@jrmcferren]

Those screwdrivers are also available in the US from Harbor Freight and is called Pen Style Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver Set, 3 PC.

[@RichDavey]

Just watched a dozen or so of your videos. Absolutely brilliant. Learning made fun. Subscribed 👍👍😊

[@phils4634]

I still have (and use) my original Antex CCN. Excellent iron, and although I do have "better" these days, it is still a very good workhorse!

[@steverpcb]

Yes you have put the file up, it could be tweeked slightly by increasing the width to 20mm from 18 and then paneled by V groove to give 50 for $2 from JLCPCB, also the 1M resistor could be fixed so that it matches the schematic :)

[@swe_nurse8121]

That's such a good iron for the price/power supply. It's not very nice to work with for longer periods of time but it's the one I reach for when I need to add or remove a component (from the donor electronics) in one of my sketchy USB/battery LED projects (very Clive inspired I might add...).

[@JerryEricsson]

As far as solder, I purchase a pound of KESTER "44" rosin Core .031 solder from an outfit in Arizona. It was made in 03 but works wonderfully. Cost me 25 bucks plus 13 shipping. Problem was I wasn't watching as I entered the order, as I have ordered from these folks many times. The computer on their end remembered that I once ordered when I was wintering in Arizona, and offered that for a shipping address. When it never came I traced it and it was sitting in the office of the campground I used to live at for my winter months. Cost me another 25 bucks to get it mailed up here! So that pound cost me 63 bucks when it got here. Expensive stuff this good quality US made solder but it sure preforms so much better then the Chinese crap.