Jim,
For the temperature of your soldering iron: it depends on the solder you want or need to use/melt and not on the components.
I once learned that lead solder (60/40, LSn60Pb, ??) with flux is rated for 370°C and I guess most components, PCBs, etc could be heated way longer than an ordinary solderjoint needs to without taking damage. Exceptions are of course wire insulation, anything plastic, they can melt/retract more quickly than we asked for and require swift action.
The power of the soldering iron is directly related to the time it needs to heat to the desired temp, then it cuts off, the tip cools down, heats up, repeatedly. If yours says 40W, it could be well over it, it's more of a minimum the manufactorer would like to guarantee. I would give it a try first with a 3mm chisel tip.
I used an older Weller/50W Magnastat with a 3mm chisel/370°C tip and it worked with my QMX+. Solder is 60/37 with flux, 1.5mm. Even with extended heating I couldn't get other joints in close distance to melt.
If you have further questions regarding soldering, I'd be happy to answer them.
73, Norbert
