Soldering station, scope, etc. recommendations?

[JamesG]

I just got out of a three-day soldering workshop and now feel much better about doing work on my Amigas.

I used a nice AmScope and JBC soldering station. I even got to experiment with soldering tweezers.

Using those nice tools was an eye opener, being able to see and being able to work cleanly are great. I'd like to invest in some new gear, but the JBC stuff is top-end and I wanted to check and see what might be equivalent.

What setup are you all using to do work?

[JamesG]

I've never had luck with desoldering braid or the pumps that are spring loaded.

Flux the wick and area and apply iron to component and wick simultaneously. The solder will flow up the wick like magic. Also works beautifully cleaning pads.

I was so glad to finally be able to get this right on through hole connectors. A couple were still stubborn, and you can either add solder and wick again or try the suction.

[JamesG]

One question about the Wellers...do you know if tweezers are available with a regular base unit like the WD1002 or WD1003 or do I need a "high-powered" unit?

Edit: I'm buying some AOYUE tweezers to see if they are compatible with my Kendal 852D++...they look like rubbish but perhaps they will work.

[JamesG]

I should post the whole of me populating the whole board.. I figured it would be boring to watch

I watch one guy on YouTube who does Amiga repairs and he never shows the actual work. He focuses on troubleshooting but then "Board is recapped" the end. He is supremely skilled, I would just like to see the actual soldering techniques.

[JamesG]

Also when I was referring to scope in OP I was referring to microscope, it made some of the fine soldering a breeze.  

Has anyone had experience with Tenma equipment? Seems like they have quite a few low cost offerings.

[JamesG]

Don't know, I have never needed to use tweezers.  There has to be a compaibility list somewhere on the net.

I got the AOYUE T001 tweezers to work on the 852D++, but there is no temperature reading. As such, they aren't really safe for me or for the equipment.

The tweezers themselves are rubbish when compared to the JBC I had been using.

So, time for me to start saving the pennies and either get a JBC or a Weller.