Advice on modding tools please!

[redsquirrell]

Ive modded many uncut Wiis before and would like to gear myself up for doing cut wiis and eventually the new D2C mods.

I have decent enough tools but I want to get some more stuff in so its much easier to do.

Dremel
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37297&criteria=dremel&doy=1m1

Solder Iron
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=219133&doy=1m1

Would that solder iron work? Its a whopping 48w, currently i use a low power 15w iron but i wouldnt mind something better than what I have (what should the temp be?) I always want to get some fine tips.

Want to get a helping hands magnifier too although thats easily sorted.

Any advice or reccomendations? Cheers!!

[phyl0x]

48w is gonna melt the board...stick to the 15w

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Iron-Miniature-All-Purpose-Pencil/dp/B0000WT586/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1199227724&sr=8-1

they say that one is one of the best to do mods, i just use a cheap radio shack, but im thinking about upgrading to this one.

[Crush]

Point is to use a temperature-controlled iron - wattage is irrelevant. Even a 15w iron can burn a board if it's not properly regulated. Only drawback of a higher wattage iron is availability of suitable tips and maybe physical size. I use a 40w Weller and it's temperature does not drop as much as a smaller iron (so melt times are more consistant).

Get the best visual aid you can - if you can't see it you can't solder it.

[redsquirrell]

yeah ive been looking at some miniature solder irons but the tips (are these also called elements?) are half the price of what the iron is. At least with my current iron i can get a pack of 3 tips for about 2 quid..

[redsquirrell]

Found a Weller Micro Soldering iron 2012 (12w) and 2020 (20w). The 2015 (15w) is kinda hard to get micro tips for? Although i kinda would expect them all to share the same kinds of tips. Should i go for either 12w or 20w?

[Crush]

I think all those 20 series are mains non-controlled irons - great for general radio type work but not ideal for fine PCB stuff. It will do the job though so if your budget will only stretch to those models go for the smallest (12w). If you're gonna be doing much of this work then treat yourself to a decent iron, or even a re-work station like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aoyue-768-All-In-One-SMD-Repairing-Rework-System-Iron_W0QQitemZ250192595312QQihZ015QQcategoryZ10600 1QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
or for £40 maybe a nice iron like this:
http://www.modchipfitters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43_62_63&products_id=291

[redsquirrell]

see i am not sure how much more use i would get out of these - generally i have no problems with uncut wiis even with the equipment i already own. I however dont want to spend excessive amounts of cash on gear if I can not mod the cut leg wii's and d2c. Ive tried cut leg and cant do it with the gear i own - hence why i dont want to spend a huge amount more until i know i can do the job=)

[metalclay]

stick with the 15watt.

get a dremel, and if you want, you can even sand down the tip for that iron with your new dremel. but...really, you don't need much for cut legs or d2c (d2c just requires patience) and if you got skillz, you don't even need a dremel. Get some flux, and invest in a magnifying glass, for the sake of your eyes.

Then again, I don't do these mods commercially, just for friends, so...you might benefit from all that fancy equipment xD

[wiidaw]

Hi Guys,

Any suggestion where to get this magnifiying glass? Which one is better? model/type?:(

The one i had is not so good.:(

Thanks in advance!:D

[wiimodder]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-KADA-852D-Digital-Display-SMT-SMD-Soldering-2-in-1_W0QQitemZ260202104382QQihZ016QQcategoryZ36327QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I bought this.. Very happy with it. Cheap to. compatible with HaKKO sodering tips.. Wide selection of tips on ebay.