A good cheap starter kit for modding?

[VACRMH]

I plan on adding a mod chip to my Saturn soon, and was considering trying some other projects someday (Region switch, battery replacements, ect) so I wanted to pick up a soldering kit. I found a cheap one on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-ST-12-Soldering-Tool/dp/B0002LLWZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362589505&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+kit

But besides that, I wanted to pick up some wire and anything else I may need. But what else do I need? And what wire? Insulated? How thick?

Any suggestions?

[xelement5x]

I like using tip tinner over anything, not sure what they cost is but the one I bought has lasted me for quite awhile.

[CRTGAMER]

I plan on adding a mod chip to my Saturn soon, and was considering trying some other projects someday (Region switch, battery replacements, ect) so I wanted to pick up a soldering kit. I found a cheap one on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-ST-12-Soldering-Tool/dp/B0002LLWZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362589505&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+kit

But besides that, I wanted to pick up some wire and anything else I may need. But what else do I need? And what wire? Insulated? How thick?

Any suggestions?

Good price! A Pencil Soldering Iron as the one pictured in the link around 30 watt should be adequate for detailed work. Get a second larger Iron for connecting thick wires. I would not use that Lead Free solder in the link, Leaded Solder is a more durable joint. Get thin Rosin Core solder which is easier to work with. Practice on scrap wire and PCBs at first.

[teh_d3th_st4r]

I recommend investing in a soldering iron with temperature control. It'll cost a little more, but if all you're doing is modding, you'll never need another one. A Weller WLC100 is an excellent and versatile little iron, it's a whole soldering station, and they cost about $60 on ebay.
Use flux core lead solder (like CRTGAMER said) it's just better.

As for wire, something insulated, in the 20g range. I suggest you get 4 rolls of wire in different colors, as keeping track of what goes where is significantly easier when the wires don't all look the same.

Shrink tubing is your friend... electrical tape will stab you in the back.

Tools you'll want are:
Small wire cutters
Wire strippers
Philips head screwdrivers (size 2 and smaller)
X-acto knife
Tweezers
Needle nose pliers
Multi-meter

If you go to harbor freight, and do some careful shopping on the internet, you can get everything for about $100, and you'll pretty much be ready to mod anything you want.

[Niku-Sama]

the WLC-100 is ok, the only reason i say this is because i have one major issue with it.

i bought mine a year ago from Frys Electronics (http://www.frys.com/product/1942888?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) and i really wish that instead of having number for the temp settings on the dial that it had approx temp on it instead. i mainly bought it for lead free stuff that i was running into because my old iron wasnt working.

i suggest sticking with the one you linked to or one from radio shack (they have a similar kit by the way) if your going to be working with older stuff for the time being

[VACRMH]

Very good information, thanks everyone!

I did order that kit I linked to, so I'll see how everything goes with it. I was able to take out some PCBs and wires from a broken arcade stick that was going in the trash, so I'll use that to practice before I do anything major.

My first projects will be really simple, installing a saturn modchip (2 points to solder) and soldering a cable to a replacement board in another arcade stick (4 cables). So if I'm able to do those without burning myself or the house down I'll start looking into other projects.

[Polygon]

I recommend investing in a soldering iron with temperature control. It'll cost a little more, but if all you're doing is modding, you'll never need another one. A Weller WLC100 is an excellent and versatile little iron, it's a whole soldering station, and they cost about $60 on ebay.
Use flux core lead solder (like CRTGAMER said) it's just better.

As for wire, something insulated, in the 20g range. I suggest you get 4 rolls of wire in different colors, as keeping track of what goes where is significantly easier when the wires don't all look the same.

Shrink tubing is your friend... electrical tape will stab you in the back.

Tools you'll want are:
Small wire cutters
Wire strippers
Philips head screwdrivers (size 2 and smaller)
X-acto knife
Tweezers
Needle nose pliers
Multi-meter

If you go to harbor freight, and do some careful shopping on the internet, you can get everything for about $100, and you'll pretty much be ready to mod anything you want.

This is some great advice right here. I recently bought a new soldering iron to do some work on my Genesis and to refurbish some toaster NESs. I ended up buying a Weller WP-35. You can't control the temperature but it stays consistent which is the problem I was having with my other irons. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, hopefully this weekend. Also, I'd add some desoldering braid to that. I've found it to be more useful sometimes than a bulb or pen.


Very good information, thanks everyone!

I did order that kit I linked to, so I'll see how everything goes with it. I was able to take out some PCBs and wires from a broken arcade stick that was going in the trash, so I'll use that to practice before I do anything major.

My first projects will be really simple, installing a saturn modchip (2 points to solder) and soldering a cable to a replacement board in another arcade stick (4 cables). So if I'm able to do those without burning myself or the house down I'll start looking into other projects.

Well, good luck to you. Sounds like some fun projects!

[teh_d3th_st4r]

the WLC-100 is ok, the only reason i say this is because i have one major issue with it.

i bought mine a year ago from Frys Electronics (http://www.frys.com/product/1942888?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) and i really wish that instead of having number for the temp settings on the dial that it had approx temp on it instead. i mainly bought it for lead free stuff that i was running into because my old iron wasnt working.

I used the WLC100 for years before I got my WS80 station. It worked incredibly well... sure the 1-5 settings on the dial were a little counter-intuitive, but there's a temp chart that comes with it.
I think it's a great station to learn with.


Also, I'd add some desoldering braid to that. I've found it to be more useful sometimes than a bulb or pen.

I completely forgot to include that.

[Niku-Sama]

interesting, mine doesent have a temp chart....

[teh_d3th_st4r]

I don't own that iron anymore, but I had cut the chart out of the manual and taped it to my station. It was a general overview of the 5-40 watt range on the dial, and their relative temperatures. I'll see if I can find a scan of it.

[FABombjoy]

Harbor Freight is great for small hand tools. These sets are invaluable:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-precision-pliers-set-31675.html
or
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-mini-pliers-set-94931.html

I've actually had better luck with HF diagonal cutters than Craftsman.


Also, I'm embarrassed to say that these work surprisingly well. Based on the reviews, YMMV. On sale they're as little as $1:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-2-half-inch-wire-strippers-with-pressure-adjustment-66690.html


Beware of:
Multimeters - About the only thing they're good for is telling you if an outlet is hot, or if a wire in your car has 12v or not.
Electrical tape - The adhesive sucks for anything but warm, indoor use.
Security bit sets - Give them a good inspection first. Bits are frequently misshapen or have offset holes.
Plastic zip ties - Make sure they say "nylon"

[JAWSPAWNSHOP]

I plan on adding a mod chip to my Saturn soon, and was considering trying some other projects someday (Region switch, battery replacements, ect) so I wanted to pick up a soldering kit. I found a cheap one on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-ST-12-Soldering-Tool/dp/B0002LLWZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362589505&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+kit

But besides that, I wanted to pick up some wire and anything else I may need. But what else do I need? And what wire? Insulated? How thick?

Any suggestions?

He lemme know any info i can get on a chip for one black round button usa model saturn.... Been lookin for one of those plus i hate swap trick.

[VACRMH]

He lemme know any info i can get on a chip for one black round button usa model saturn.... Been lookin for one of those plus i hate swap trick.

http://www.racketboy.com/store/sega-saturn/sega-saturn-modchip.html