Tommy B wrote:Don I figured it was high time I ordered this iron for $17.00 and that will set you free my friend!


That aboy! That's a damn nice set for 17.00. A good soldering iron and a VOM are really the basics and should be part of every toolbox. Spend a little time on the net to learn what makes a
good, reliable solder joint. Once you have that skill down, you will never have to worry about
yourconnections failing. Bad connections are the most common failure and cause of damage. In the future you may find a need for a soldering gun, or butane pencil torch. Those are mainly for people who do a lot of field repairs, but they come in handy.
Just remember that with soldering cleanliness is next to godliness. Oxidation is a killer. Keep that tip tinned at all times. Solder is an electrical component ONLY. It is NOT a mechanical attachment or weld. If you need strain relief to protect the connection use a mechanical method. (screws, clamps, ties, shrink tube, epoxy, etc.) Clean the flux left behind, as it is still a corrosive. Less is more, you should be able to see the contours of the wire in the solder and it should have a bright, shiny, metallic luster. "Bridge" soldering is probably the easiest and most effective. Prepare the wires to be soldered, clean and twisted tight, then put a healthy drop of solder on the iron tip. Use that drop to form a heat bridge to the connection, then feed solder as needed. Heat it, feed it, get off. The heat can do damage as well. A little practice and you'll get the timing down.
Another feather in your cap. Good Luck.
McDave