Need recommendation for soldering tool for computer work.

[bupkus]

I have some computer cases that have poorly designed on/off buttons.

I replaced them but kept the wires from the old buttons with the ends that attach to the motherboard pins. On the ends of the wires that attach to the buttons I just have them twisted around the contacts. That just ain't professional so I figure I need to solder them on.

I hate those old time soldering irons that take forever to heat up and then they roll off the ash tray and burn the desk.
I asked my friend and he linked me to this.
Does anyone have an opinion about this or perhaps another way to attach a wire end to a button contact?

Then again, I'm cheap and do this very seldom.
Edit: Wal-mart, the destroyers of America. Why didn't I think of them before I posted this?

 

[bupkus]

Radio shack has
Cool-grip 30-watt soldering gun $6.79
30-watt pencil $7.69
25-watt pencil, $8.19
15-watt with grounded tip (???). $8.39
Dual_wattage iron, $10.49
100-watt soldering gun with light, ($13.49)
Mini Butane gas-powered iron.. $20
Cordless Cold heat $20
Help, I don't know what they're talking about... atleast what that means for my use.

 

[pelikan]

30 watt for most things.

 

[phisrow]

Be rather careful with that cold heat thing, if you get it. It is a small resistance iron, which puts current through the object being soldered in order to heat it. It will certainly work, assuming you're just soldering some wires together; but don't have them connected to your motherboard in any way while working. You could easily end up frying something expensive if the current chooses a path to ground that involves your northbridge or something.

 

[bupkus]

Yah, that would be a downer.

Is that why some have a grounded tip?

 

[pelikan]

Low watt, grounded tip irons are used for soldering sensitive components, like resistors on motherboards that can heat up too much if you aren't careful. But in my experience, it takes too long to heat up the part with a 15 watt iron, and I've never had a problem using a non-grounded tip.

 

[Zepper]

I think the dual-wattage iron at RS should work OK if you can get a good assortment of tips for it. Use the 30W setting for soldering coarse stuff like wires together and use the lower setting for most PCB work (if you can get a nice fine tip for it). I also like that 15W, grounded tip unit. Got my first one included one of those Curtis computer tool kits.
. Don't forget to get some heat-shrink tubing while you're there - makes for a nice clean job.

And if you haven't done much soldering before, go to the Cooper/Weller web site and learn from their guides or Google for soldering guides/tips. Main thing is to keep the tip of your soldering iron clean and tinned shiny - and to wait until your iron is up to full heat before using. If you need "instant on" you will need to spend a lot more for the privilege ($100. for a soldering station isn't unusual). Just do something else while the iron is heating up (watched pot...) - ever hear of multi-tasking?

.bh.