Type Of Soldering Iron Used On PS3? + How 2 Use one? - Help a n00b out?
 

OK I'm a hardware Noob never did well with soldering large circuit boards.

now as i am desperately wanting to have the latest and greatest E3 Flasher in my console.

I want to go with the E3 Linker.

I need to know what type of soldering Iron can be used on the PS3's Motherboard and the type of solder.

Meaning how many wats should it be?
brand
Type - thin tip/sharp tip/thick tip ect
any other info.

i need clear information

a picture of it or a online retailer that sells them will do.

I'm In Desperate need hare. - I've done the research on what i need to install and were it need's to be installed but having no clue on the type of soldering iron to be used.

any tips will also help on how to solder onto PS3 Motherboard.
like how long should i keep the iron on the motherboard
do i need to clean it each time i solder something
how hard should i press?
........................................................................................................

what i know so far:

that you should use a 15 - 20 wats soldering iron
use a heat gun instead?
round balled solder?
soldering iron must contain a sharp and pointy tip?

Correct me if I'm wrong?

if you never did well at soldering try an avoid it, but if you fell like doing it by all means go for it.

soldering iron has to be a variable heat controlled duratec or any other good brands but can get expensive and a very small tip, the smallest you can get with the iron station.

solder that i use is .08 in thickness

flux paste i use to help with flowing the solder, and leave a much neater job.
cleaning the surface before you start soldering is a must.
i'd do some test shorts first before attempting to solder on to the mobo, just incase you do a booboo, remember practise makes perfect :)

its all in the hand, and dont press to hard, or else you might dig to china

Invest in a "solder sucker" aka "de-soldering pump".. Saves your ass a lot of hassle if you get a short.

stay away from leadless solder
25 watt is cool
flux is your friend
The smaller the diameter solder the better....it comes small
take your time

oh and stay away from that solder wick to remove solder...

OK
So Well i want a reasonable soldering iron nothing expensive. the heat controlled ones are like $100 hare in Australia. - Soldering Dock (i found 1 on ebay but it's 60w not 25)

so a 25-30 Watt Soldering Iron should do right? with the smallest tip (with a cord not cordless?)
and any brand of flux should do?
for solder, be around .08mm thick? or around that thickness.

i was told that some solder (Tin) come with flux already within them. (AKA mixed in/within)

so this all i need right for any type of MB Soldering.../PS3 MB

50-70W Temperature controlled iron

How to vid: How and WHY to Solder Correctly - YouTube

I used an main plug 18watt soldering iron with a 0.5mm pointed tip (also got a 0.12mm tip but have not used it yet). It worked well overall, but one thing I noticed was it had trouble melting the solder I had put onto the 3.3volt point. I had to angle the iron down more so there was more contact area.

Definitely use flux, even with a leaded 60/40 solder with flux core. I used a no clean liquid flux.

For a beginner like me, the whole job was challenging but I was successful :) I first practiced on a dead board and that was the best way to see how the solder reacts.

Also, here is a good youtube video + info in this post from afzoo3hax: http://www.ps3hax.net/showpost.php?p...&postcount=576

since its my 1st time soldering to a motherboard not circuit board. (i have done soldering b4 but not with flux + used thicker tips)

i want to play it safe.
So

Should i use a 18 watt soldering Iron or 50-70watt Temperature controlled iron?
with 0.5mm pointed tip and flux that does not require cleaning. solder with flux core 0.8mm thickens? - Leaded
+
de-soldering pump AKA solder sucker

and should i use
alcohol/wipes to clean the surface were i soldered?

after all i want to know what is best and safest to use on a PS3's motherboard as it is highly sensitive. i don't want to end up short circuiting it or burning a hole through it.

Or soldering braid instead of the solder pump

well what will be best suited for PS3 Motherboard?

De-soldering Braid?
De-soldering Pump?
De-soldering Vacuum/Pen Vacuum?