Hey guys, this was my latest project. My crappy Radio Shack solder stand broke so I decided to build one myself, saving $15 dollars.

1) I took some stock lumber core plywood i had lying around (any wood would due) and cut a rectangular hole with rounded edges. Then I glued another piece to it. Next I drilled a hole for the bolt. Finally, I sanded then applied 5 coats of all-in-one stain and varnish. Done!

2) I made the soldering iron holder out of a coat hanger and attached it to the base.

What do you think? Not bad right? Not only did it save me some money but it is also much classier, sturdier and prettier than a piece of plastic.

Looks good,and looks like it will serve the purpose well. BIGMIG

looks very sturdy.

Thanks fellas. My soldering iron definitely won't tip over this time.

Very nice, I like using my scraps for useful things, probably why I am a packrat !

Nice work, this could be a place for us to show some of the tools we use to help someone just getting started and just never seen a certain tool or product, like what you made or the type of soldering iron someone uses.

There is always questions about solder and removing solder, so here is my two tools to add. They are what I have used to remove solder, the first one I don't know what it is really called, I call it a solder sucker. The second one is desoldering braid and I think it works the best. both are cheap, braid is about 4.00 USD the solder sucker I think is about 10 to 15 USD

I need to get a solder sucker. It's hard to say that with a straight face

It's the only thing I could think of calling it when I was typing , It for me only work right 50% of the time but when it does work it suck all the solder clean out of the hole, I just started using the desoldering braid and it workes well, don't seem to need to heat the board as much

Its a 'desoldering pump', guys. I have two, and the blue ones with the yellow plunger work the best, even over the metal-casing one I have. Its tagged as a 'Soldapullt SS750' for anyone looking.

The white plastic tips are replacable and are relatively heat resistant, and are held in place with a simple rubber o-ring. Very easy to clean too: slight twist to open, bang over a trash bin, mebbe pick a bit at any caked-on pieces on the plunger and poke any out of the tip, then re-assemble. Can do it in under a minute.

I never use braid/wick any more. Keeps the heat at the board more than a pump.

errr, this is getting real geeky now!