Soldering iron

[Alex_SG]

I also have a 40W for general stuff, and, believe it or not, a small 5W one that runs on 3x AA batteries for really sensitive electronics! No danger of overheating that one!

 

[syscokid]

40 watts works so much better for soldering to the control pots.

Agree... plus using a wider tip, too.

I went 40 watt Weller.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AS28UC/

Didn't bother with the sponge

That's the same setup I use. The Weller WLC100 ($50) with that wired tip cleaner. Various tip sizes, too. Ditch the sponge. But if you're a spongy type of person, always use distilled water.

In ten years, I've gone thru two pencils for the WLC100. Next time the pencil's heating element fails, I'm going to upgrade to the Weller WESD51 ($130):

 

[Gahr]

Tested the new soldering iron today. Swapped the 490R in my SG Special Faded for a 57 Classic. First I did a (from now on obligatory for my guitars...) magnet flip and then I put it in the guitar.

Damn, the iron is SO much better than my old one. Removing the pup covers took seconds, and unsoldering the 490R was done in a flash. 40W seems to be plenty.