If you've been using a Pencil type soldering iron with OK results, that's good, but if you ever tried a soldering station like kgustafson shows above (whether from HAAKO or others), you will be surprised by how much your solder quality improves. There is a big difference in "held in place" by a blob of solder versus a solder joint with a smooth "wet" looking surface where the solder flowed fully into the joint, out to the edges of the pad and has a shiny concave fillet up the component lead.
Good quality tips, choice of tip sizes, temperature control, a cradle to put the hot iron instead of "hoping" it will lie still where you set it, all make the solder station a big plus.
Solder tip temp is more important than many realize. Solder is supposed to FLOW onto the pad, not just melt. You actually keep the iron on the connection for less time with a hot tip. If you are worried about overheating a component, the cooler tip is usually the culprit because it takes several seconds to complete the joint rather than just one second.
Tip Cleanliness, Flux, 63/47 solder and the right Tip and Tip Temperature.