Good It sounds like you've got the right spirit for this. I'll work on it from this end as I get time.
In the mean time, you might want to think about soldering irons. If you don't have a decent small tipped Temperature Controlled iron, then that will be your biggest expense.
I suggest you look online at some irons and think about your budget. If this is likely the only electronics project you'll do in the next decade, then obviously you may not want a $150 soldering iron. But if you will use a good iron at least a few times a year then you don't want a $30 iron either.
Good ones aren't cheap, but like any quality tool a good one will last a lifetime and reward you with much better soldering results than a cheap one. You'll have to pick your own trade offs between cost and quality.
Don't forget to check for used ones on ebay or craigslist. Lotsa companies going belly up and dumping tools and equipment.
I've got several decent temperature controlled irons, but my old Weller WTCP that I bought in 1982 is still my primary workhorse.
Things to look for in a good iron:
1) Decent wattage. 30 watts absolute minimum. 50 or 60 watts is better, especially if you'll also use the iron for soldering heavier wires occasionally also. There's almost no such thing as too much wattage IF the iron is temperature controlled. My *super fine* tipped iron I use for itty bitty surface mount touch-up work is 70 watts.
2) Temperature control. Don't even think about an iron with no temperature control. They will cause you misery. They tend to overheat and cook the tip when they sit for a while, and in order to keep the tip from getting red hot they have low wattage elements.
What you want is high wattage so that the tip will keep it's temperature even when in intact with a decent sized chunk of copper wire or large PC pad. But you need temperature control so that it doesn't overheat when sitting idle in the stand.
Many modern irons have electronic temperature control that allows you to dial in your temperature. Older temperature controlled irons (like my old WTCP) used the Curie point of a magnet inside the tip to control temperature and you have to buy tips with different temperature ratings if you need to change. I like a good hot iron and use 800F tips almost exclusively. For electronics work, a good hot iron is essential. It allows you to do the job quickly before too much heat is transferred to the part. Lower temp irons take a longer time to heat the joint and get good solder flow and it's easier to overheat the part. Hot and fast is your friend. The iron should have a nice small chisel point tip.
3) A decent stand. You've got to have a safe easy place to put the iron when it ain't in your hand. The stand should be sturdy and stable, easy to insert the iron into and hard to knock it out if you whack the cord with your elbow or something. Homemade is fine as long as it works good.
4) A sponge. Don't overlook this very important item. To keep the tip clean and healthy you need to wipe it occasionally (every couple of solder joints at least) on a wet sponge to clean off any oxides and crusty flux and keep the tip clean and shiny. A good iron stand will also include a little tray to put your wet sponge in. Or improvise something. Don't use a synthetic sponge that will melt under the hot iron...
Anyway, think about if what you've got is adequate and what you can afford and if you have questions... I'm always full of opinions.
Here's a photo of the crusty old Weller I use most of the time. I paid something like $85 for it in 1982 dollars, but it's been a hard core workhorse for 27 years now...
Steve
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