How-To: Variable temperature soldering iron controller

Instructables user titaniumw41 writes:

This instructable will show you how to make your Radioshack “firestarter” soldering iron into a variable temperature version using around $10 in parts. This idea came to me after i started lifting traces on a circuit board because I was using a 30w soldering iron to solder on a chip. Plus, I am cheap and variable temp soldering irons cost a lot more than $10. Caution: this instructable deals with household AC current. If you don’t feel comfortable wiring things up or plugging things in, this is not for you

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