Quote:
Originally Posted by
hakstone 
radioshack might be better choice. Doubt quality will effect results. Usually based on the ability of the person.
I wish that were always the case, but really bad ones with poor tips from Radio Shack or HD/Lowes are garbage. They can make a decent solderer look like an amateur. I have seen tips disintegrate in front of my eyes after only a day or two of usage. This used to be especially true of the entry level Radio Shack irons of days long ago.
I'd choose something like this:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk2000-soldering-station.html
And play with the temp. If soldering larger speaker terminals or heavy gauge wires, you want to keep the iron as hot as you can without being so hot you melt insulation back or damage components. And don't be shy with the amount of solder used either. If you do not get enough to actually soak into the strands of the wire or flow across the surface of the metal, you will end up with cold weak joints.
Greg
