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[Fallen9]

Can anyone recommend a good, but inexpensive solder iron, I can use to repair some of my toys?  What temperature do you use?  I saw one site recommend 280-300 F, assuming you can adjust the temperature.  I'd prefer to get one that can adjust the temperature.

[billyjoe]

I don't have experience with a soldering iron for repair, but years ago I did repair a small separation tear in a 17Evo with a flathead screwdriver heated by candle flame.  I wiped off the black carbon deposits and held the blade between the 2 layers.  Fixed it well, although the thing separated on the other side the next time I used the toy   
Into the trash IT went, and on to my first Meiki I went...never had to make a repair since I switched to NPG / Clone DNA / Venus products.

[boldav49]

I used a Hako 936 soldering station that I already owned to repair my Meiki Sarah.  However, I don't think you need to spend $80 on a fancy soldering iron like mine just to fix your silicone toy. Instead a simple soldering iron that you can find for less than $10 at Radio Shack or online should do the trick. Of course these irons are going to be set at a high temperature like 700 F so you will have to be careful not to melt the silicone too quickly. The other thing you want to think about is getting a chisel tip which has flat sides to work with versus a pointy tip. When repairing your toy, start off slowly and carefully, and make sure to clean the tip periodically with a wet sponge or a towel. I found that to fix a crack I either melted silicone from the sides into the crack to fill it up or I just melted each side at the same time and fused them together. Now if you have some old silicone toys you don't use anymore, the best thing to do is to first practice on them in a well ventilated area before grabbing your expensive Meiki. It won't take you too long before you are a master at melting broken silicone back together.

[Fallen9]

I had wondered about tip shapes.  My only experience with a soldering iron was around 12 years ago, removing/bonding metal on old circuit boards.  The smell wasn't pleasant...

[boldav49]

I use the chisel tip because it has wider area to melt the silicone down, but you do have to be careful not to slice into the toy if you get it on edge.  A conical shape might be safer in this regards and will probably work out fine too, but I haven't needed to use it yet.  As for the smell, it's not too unpleasant but there is a fair bit of smoke so its best to do your repairs outdoors.