soldering iron

Josh those $20 irons may be ok for small stuff (and I mean real small stuff) but they don't last long and won't do anything heavy at all. I have both the Weller 100/140 watt iron (link)

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WEL8200PK-120-Volt-Universal-Soldering/dp/B00002N7S0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370489746&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+soldering+gun"]Weller WEL8200PK 120-Volt 140/100 Watts Universal Soldering Gun Kit - Amazon.com[/ame]

And the 200/260 watt for the big stuff (link)

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Weller-D550PK-120-volt-Professional-Soldering/dp/B00002N7S1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370489746&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+soldering+gun"]Weller D550PK 120-volt Professional Soldering Gun Kit 260/200 Watts - Amazon.com[/ame]

You can buy a el-cheapo harbor freight $15-20 special but that's exactly what you'll be getting.

My suggestion> Buy something good that'll last you a lifetime and you won't regret it. IMO the Weller 8200 is one of the best deals out there. Mines over 25 yrs. old and I've probably used up 500 tips with it so it's had a ton of use yet still works fine and had no repairs at all.

BTW: I have no problem soldering wires as small as 24 gauge with my Weller 8200 on the 100 watt setting, but I have been soldering for 40 yrs.