Stephan Grossklass wrote:


Yes, of course. Any ordinary silicon bridge rectifier in DIP will do
just fine (and, given it's totally oversized for 9.8 V ~ and about 100
mA, should do its job for a loooooong time). At least this experience
has expanded my list of potentially critical (read: best replaced)
components in old radios to (a) paper caps and electrolytics and (b)
selenium rectifiers. Now all I need is a *decent* soldering iron and the
tube radio that should hopefully arrive within the next few days / weeks
/ eternities - though the Grundig Signal 700 could use some service as
well (some humming, switches with contact probs and such - it's 30 years
old after all and has probably never undergone servicing).

Struggled with a 15 watt pencil iron for years. I hated the heavy
pistol grip 100/150 watt copper wire tipped guns. Way too awkward.
I finally broke down and bought a 35 watt pencil iron and it works very
well. I find the hotter tip spends a lot less time on the work, so in
the long run, it's most likely easier on the components than the smaller
iron was.

I've used the thermostatically controlled Weller cradle type and it was
very nice..but I couldn't justify the extra expense for the relatively
few joints I solder at a time.



mike