====== Soldering ======
When building you're own effects you will be soldering a lot so investing a bit more money in a good soldering iron and solder is definitely worth it.

===== Soldering iron =====
==== PCB ====

The [[http://www.miniware.com.cn/product/ts100-soldering-iron-package-electric-soldering-kit/|Miniware TS100]] is really affordable, fully programmable and works really well. You can even flash it with [[https://github.com/Ralim/ts100|custom firmware]]. So far I'm really enthusiastic about this little device, heats up quickly and works smoothly. I can recommend getting it together with an extra [[http://www.miniware.com.cn/product/ts100-soldering-iron-bc2-tip-best-soldering-station/|BC2]] tip. Bought mine on [[https://www.banggood.com/nl/MINI-TS100-Digital-OLED-Programmable-Interface-DC-5525-Soldering-Iron-Station-Built-in-STM32-Chip-p-984214.html|Banggood]].

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{{gallery> :tools:ts100_monasfx.jpg?showtitle&lightbox&400x300 }}

At the moment I'm mostly using a [[https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html|Hakko FX-888D]]. The Blue with yellow one of course because that is how the original designer conceived it. I prefer this one to the TS100 because it has better grip.

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==== Cables and connectors ====
For cables and connectors I'm now using the Hakko too. When I need even more power I've got a Velleman VTSI80.

===== Solder =====
I've tried some solder gauges but ended up with 0.7mm<sup>2</sup>. I've found 0.5mm<sup>2</sup> to be too thin and 1mm<sup>2</sup> too thick with the TS100 or Hakko. 1mm<sup>2</sup> works well with the Velleman though. I have no experience with lead-free solder, I've only worked with 60/40 Sn-Pb solder. The 0.7mm<sup>2</sup> I'm using at the moment is Stannol HS10.

{{gallery> :tools:stannol-hs10.jpg?showtitle&lightbox&400x537 }}