trinityamps.com

Hey everybody

I am new to this forum and as I read more and more it gets harder not to order a kit right away haha:) I am about to pull the trigger on a 18watt plexi or the Tc-15 I am just not sure yet but until I got it figured out it would probably be good to get all the tools needed.

Until now I have pretty much the standard do it yourself tool kit lol.
My main question is what kind of soldering Iron should I use?
I have a 25 watt pencil one right now something like this:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1340444&cp=&sr=1&kw=soldering+iron&origkw=soldering+iron&parentPage=search&searchId=39813797154

I also have one of those guns somewhere in the house lol but I think they are just bad for pretty much anything.
Would that soldering Iron be enough or do I need a better one with maybe more power? And how about solder is there a special kind or I should use?

Greetings Your Majesty

There is plenty of light reading on soldering irons and solder in the "Resource" section and other places (after a bit of searching). The soldering iron you mentioned will probably work for most of a typical amp build, although it might be a bit wimpy for the tag board itself, especially the grounding bus bar.
We're all here to help and advise whenever you're ready to get started
Happy Holidays!!!
Joe G

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Some assembly required,
Brain sold separately...

I pretty well use 25 watt pencil iron as a minimum but control the AC with a variac. Some pencil irons come with a half-power switch.

The other piece you need is a decent DVM. One with an audible continuity checker is very useful and 600V DC. Solder. 0.30" works best.

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Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

thank you guys!!!!
I got a 40 watt one after all just to make sure.

as soon as I get back from vacation I am gonna sell my amp and get the plexi kit!! I am sure it will be a lot of fun and sound incredible

Does it have a power control? Like a switch for 20 / 40 watt? 40 watt is quite a bit of heat at times.

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Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

well I have the 40watt one and a 15/30 watt one

perfect. You can make a small receptacle box with a switched diode to change from full/half power.

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Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

sweet now I just need to order it lol

I usually prefer to use a hotter iron. IMO with a hotter iron, the solder melts quicker and you can do a good sound joint, and then remove the iron that much sooner. The end result is the components get overheated less with the hotter iron, and you're less likely to have a "dry" or cold joint. So I vote for the 40W iron. I also have a 100W solder gun for heavy-duty work, like soldering onto buss bars.

Other essential tools:
Electronics wire cutters
Wire stripper - eg Stephen's recommended www.tigerdirect.com/applications/search ... C184-38007
Spring/piston action solder sucker
Fine nose pliers
These are in addition to the usual assortment of screwdrivers, pliers, drill and other tools you're likely to have around

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Great tones come in small glass jars!

Wow thanks a lot for the help!! I think I should have pretty much everything needed to start:D I can't wait:)

Damn for what I initially paid, well, that just sucks!

$5.99
I can't win

The best soldering station i'v used is the pace made in the us :
http://www.paceworldwide.com/product/view/id/1741.html

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http://www.burningheart.com/_lib/util/s ... =2517&s=hi

my first build was 100% with a 15w that i paid less than $10 for..

i stepped it up and used a 30w on my next one. For me a clean sharp tip is more important than wattage. The only disadvantage imo is that i had to wait a bit when soldering large joints to let the iron heat up more.

but then again I am ghetto when it comes to building stuff I'm not about fancy tools or using anything that i don't need. some people insist on workbenches and magnifying glasses and wire strippers tinning compound and sterile work gloves. I use my kitchen table, a pair of needle nose for stripping and i usually make sure i have a labatt's within arms reach at all time. I find your joints get cleaner when you have the grateful dead playing, the tone gets more vintage depending on what year you listen to while recording. To nail a 70's jerry sound i suggest listening to the europe 72 concert while soldering. To get a late 60's vibe out of your amp make sure you listen to ladies and gentleman, the grateful dead while handling that iron. Or for the ultimate mojo you can do the 4/29/71 show (live at the fillmore) or the best NFA>GDTRFB>NFA jam ever with the 11-15-71 concert at the austin municipal theater. A nice 25 minute jam to ensure proper time to dress your wires and to double check your layout.

If you want a sterile tone out of your trinity solder whilst listening to an early 80's concert. Make sure you have plenty of days to build on because your work sessions will be short and uninspired similar to jerry's playing at this time.