First Build, 2 really basic questions (likely more to come!)

[Tillydog]

The iron you're using isn't the best, but it's OK - I had one like it for years and build plenty of stuff. The Maplin Iron looks very nice, and I think would be good, but you could get away with less if cash was a problem.

Sorry to say, I think you just need to practice :-/ Get a damp sponge so you can wipe the tip of the iron on it, then add a small amount of solder to keep the tip nice, clean & bright. Looks like you need to put a bit more heat into the board.

Rapid Electronics is good for getting stuff mail order (as is RS).

The lead / lead free solder thing is a bit funny. Leaded solder is (IMHO) undoubtedly better to use if the parts have been tinned with leaded solder. I've found joints harder to make than they need to be using leaded solder with lead-free component leads (the pretty much anything bought new will have lead free tinning now), so I think you may have fewer issues using good lead-free solder. That said, I don't think it stands re-working as well as leaded solder. (IMHO, the health benefits are negligible - the flux fumes will do you more harm than the lead ever will!)

From Rapid:

Leaded Solder

Lead Free Solder

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Get a sponge and wet it, then squeeze out the excess water. Place it on a small plate, etc. In one sweeping motion, place the hot soldering iron tip at the back of the sponge and drag it toward you. Rotate the iron 180 degrees and do the top face of the tip (meaning that you did the bottom face of the tip first) in the same manor. Do this every few connections to keep the tip clean. When soldering a connection, place the end of the solder on the work where you are going to apply heat, then bring the iron into contact with the solder first as you contact the work. Slowly add solder while you watch. The solder will ball-up at first, then when the work gets hot enough to accept the solder, the ball will suddenly 'flow' about the connection. Use only enough solder to make a good connection (I know this doesn't make sense yet, but it will make more sense as you get some experience). In the photo of the board, you have used way too much solder. Also, get a solder sucker - they are indispensable when it comes to removing solder from a connection that you want to undo (or just to remove excess solder). Keep at it and you'll be there before you know it.

[malt]

here is a good example fore you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrhg5A1a1mU

and more http://www.youtube.com/user/paceworldwide?feature=watch

[Gibso]

Pics for you all to gander at! Please let me know what you think... got them off ebay and have no idea if they work yet! 1st one seems to be a bass pre-rola greenback, second a 75 pre-rola greenback! Exciting!

In other news, tried my second soldering project yesterday with a proper iron, and the stuff just doesn't want to melt... I mean the iron is at max heat (60watt iron) and when i touch the solder to the iron it doesn't instantly melt (have to hold it on a while and then it melts, sometimes maybe 5 seconds!!? is this normal???).

Have ordered some lead 60/40 solder from RS (thanks malt for the link!).

Was quite disheartened yesterday with it all to tell the truth, but the speakers have definitely perked me up!