[Elecraft] Need construction hints/advice

[phoon.usinet]

Slowly getting up the courage to order a K2.  Building an OHR QRP Wattmeter
as a dress rehearsal, and to check on my building skills:

I note that my solder is 40% lead and 60% tin Rosin  core, Alpha Metals,
Energized Plus.  It ususally produces a shiny seal on the PC board, but
sometimes does not always end up shiny, even after re-heating.

I've tried a Radio Shack 62/36/2 "Silver Bearing Solder", which I do not
like as much, and which is harder to consistently get a shiny seal with.

1)  Is there  better solder out there that fellows are using for the K2 and
K1, that never fails to produce that "shiny" seal?

2) Is the El Cheapo 25 watt Radio Shack soldering iron adequate, or do
fellows recommend a more expensive Weller solder station?  If so, what is a
quality, yet reasonably priced, Weller solder Station model?

3) Pse recommend a good quality snipper, Brands and model numbers, and any
other desirable/required soldering aides and tools.

4)  Are fellows cleaning their boards with Acetone to remove caked and
perhaps slightly burnt rosin, or is there a better solvent? I've been using
acetone with a cotton swab, but I have to carefully examine the board with
magnifiers and use a brush to remove the resultant cotton fibres.

I do have an older suction type de-soldering orion, and braid, which seem to
work OK.

Thanks,
Peter VE1CHS