Soldering goodies

Until very recently, I've only had the most basic soldering tools for electronics - stuff that a very low-income high school kid in the 1970's could afford.  A Weller soldering gun, Radio Shack soldering iron, solder, flux and a single heat sink.

I had a few bits of wire from various places.  Mostly speaker wire.  I've wired more automotive circuits back in the day with speaker wire than I'd like to admit. 

Since I've re-kindled an interest in hobby electronics (rather than soldering to keep a car or bike running), and I have more disposable income, life has improved somewhat.  Below, a soldering tip cleaner that uses brass shavings to remove burned up flux and oxidized solder.  A can of paste flux, a good set of wire cutters/strippers, and a bag of spare brass shavings.

They are like little shiny brass springs... cool!

Also this guy, a thermostatically controlled soldering station, with a solder reflow air nozzle for surface mount devices (SMDs)