Can anyone recommend a beginners guide or starters kit to soldering?

[Harrison]

My son is just turning 6 next month and is interested in starting to learn about basic electronics and soldering. Can anyone recommend a cheap beginners guide or a kit to get him started.

I'm ok with basic soldering, but not really electronics. I tend to use my iron for larger things like tinning wires or car repairs like replacing an external temperature sensor. So it would be for both of us to learn together. Maybe a simple kit that results in building something. Obviously has to be simple as he's 6 years old, but would be great if it taught him some basics about circuits and electronics as he's very intelligent for his age so should pick stuff up quickly.

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[Harrison]

Just found this:

Snap Circuits Jr. - SC-100 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lNz4AbTJHF0Q1

Looks like it could be an interesting way for him to learn and experiment about electronics. It's not soldering, but it will get him interested.

Anyone used one of these kits?

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[tbtorro]

Just found this:

Snap Circuits Jr. - SC-100 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lNz4AbTJHF0Q1

Looks like it could be an interesting way for him to learn and experiment about electronics. It's not soldering, but it will get him interested.

Anyone used one of these kits?

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I would wait with the soldering training for a wee bit (apart from maybe to showing stuff only - and definitely under close supervision) as handling parts and irons requires some good dexterity, they can easily cause a nasty burn even for beginner adults. The burns are small but very painful and will annoy you for days. Not to mention that it could leave a permanent scar on a child's skin.

 

[Harrison]

True, but it won't be long before he will want to try it out (under supervision). I think I will start out with that kit I found above just so he can start building some circuits and learning some basics about electronics. Then I can go from there.

I would however still like to try and find a beginners soldering guide/kit so I can get more up to speed on it too to help him when he is ready. I've already got a decent soldering station so don't need a kit with an iron included.

 

[1980-20..]

You could try this website http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/about/ not looked into it myself but I think his goal is to help get people intio electronics.

 

[Harrison]

Thanks

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[cheezmonkey]

I had something a little like this growing up in the 80's
https://www.electronickits.com/elenco-mx908-300-1-electronics-learning-lab/
Not the same make or mdeol, but the same concept, a bunch of components laid out with spring connectors and a big book of fun and interesting projects, with complete instructions and explanations. Was pretty decent. I also recently bought this, to get my hand back into soldering after so many years: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Velleman-M...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000LQGC00

I've not gotten around to actually making it yet, mind you.

 

[Harrison]

That electronics kit does look good. A little more expensive than l initially wanted to pay, but definitely something to consider if my son takes a real interest.

I think first I will get the kit l found in my link above and see how interested he is and how he gets on. Then we can go from there.

My thinking is that although he's only just turning 6 he is right at the top of his class in mathematics and is now reading well enough to pick up books and understand them enough to learn something from them. So it's time to explore.

One shock l did get this week was whilst driving him to school. He asked me what day it was and then said "oh no, it's computers today. I hate computers! They are so boring!!!". :-O

I got to the bottom of that though. It's not actually computers exactly. It's the fact they are just using them to type their stories and he said the teacher is too strict.. i.e. making him actually sit there and do the work! Lol

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[mjnurney]

Hi Harrison,

there are plenty of kits on eBay from flashing lights to AM radios and zx80 clones...

all good fun and a valuable training aid to soldering. Start with the cheap kits and slowly work up...

mike

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-5V-DI...524256?hash=item2ccc158860:g:66AAAOSwH3haONFx

 

[moggsie]

I think 6 might be a little too young for soldering Dave. As some have said, soldering can lead to very nasty burns and I've got a few scars on my right arm where solder splatter has landed in the wrong place. I even have a scar on my right leg when a work experience kid knocked the iron out of my hand and it landed on my lap. I refuse to show WE kids soldering now - little b*****ds.

I started getting interested in electronics about the same age - or maybe a bit older, I can't remember. And my parents bought me one of those electronic starter kits where you can build projects like light switches, sound boards and, my personal favourite, a short wave radio transmitter. Felt mega chuffed hearing myself on the radio all those years ago. Shame no one else could hear me. But that's something to consider for now - he cannot hurt himself and if his interest in electronics is brief, you won't of blown a wad of cash.

 

[roy_bates]

too young really for soldering(unless supervised),maybe a breadboard and find some schematics for flashing leds etc,lots of really basic projects for that sort of thing out there like binary counters flashing led's and diode driving is interesting for both,and let the child play with fly leads and low voltage battery based stuff

something you can both enjoy together

 

[Harrison]

That's exactly what I've done. We've got him the kit I linked to above. You have a board and each component just plugs into the board to build the circuits. It comes with 100 different projects to build and he's really interested in it. He's already looked through the manual and studies what each component does.

We haven't started using it yet because he's first just finished building the Lego police station and is halfway through assembling something called the Crankster which is a cog driven marble run with loads of different mechanisms. He's definitely interested in mechanical devices and how they work, as well as constructing things.

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