DIY Solder Stations

Box Station

• 1

  Raise the lid on the box and measure the interior depth. The box must be 6 inches or deeper. The overall size of the box is personal choice but should not be smaller than 6 inches square.

• 2

  Close the lid. Using the 1/2-inch diameter bit, drill a hole in the middle of the lid.

• 3

  Glue one metal washer on top of the lid encircling the hole. Glue the other washer on the bottom of the lid encircling the hole. Allow both to dry. This is where you'll insert your hot soldering gun when not in use.

• 4

  Screw one 2-inch screw into each side of the box. These screws will act as pegs from which you can hang your spools of solder thread or desoldering tape. Simply pull thread or tape one-handed and the spool will turn on the peg for easy dispensing.

• 5

  Weigh the box down to help it sit firmly on the table by adding a 1/2 cup of gravel inside.

Can Station

• 6

  Peel the label off a large, empty 18.6-ounce soup can.

• 7

  Add 1/2 cup gravel to the can to weigh it down.

• 8

  Tape a chopstick vertically to the outside of the can with duct tape. The chopstick should stick up above the rim of the can. Hang your spool of solder or desolder tape here.

• 9

  Place the soldering gun in the can, resting on the gravel, when not in use.

Mesh Station

• 10

  Place a half brick on the bottom level of a metal mesh paintbrush holder to weigh it down.

• 11

  Drop a chopstick into one paintbrush hole on the top layer. Hang your spool of solder or resolder tape here.

• 12

  Set your soldering gun into another paintbrush hole when the gun is not in use.