Home Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

RE: How to Learn to Solder & What to Buy?

I just bring the solder so it touches the iron, lead, and pad at the same time. But the iron tip should be clean first.

A temperature-controlled iron, not necessarily adjustable, is a good thing. Otherwise a high-powered iron gets too hot, and a low power iron doesn't have enough oomph for soldering 16 gauge wire.

Don't use anything but rosin core 60/40 or 63/37 solder. "No clean" doesn't work as well, "water clean" leaves a conductive residue if you don't clean it off.

Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) is good for cleaning off flux without melting plastic components.

Good lighting, and extra powerful reading glasses if you're over 40. Glasses are a good idea anyway since plated-through-holes occasionally spit molten solder (trapped air?).

The "third hand" thing is essential for soldering multipin connectors. Wrap some tape around the alligator teeth to prevent chewing up the wires too much. Lay a strip of RTV (silicone) on the base so it doesn't slide so easily on the bench-top.

For desoldering, get an Edsyn DS017 Soldapullt. I've never tried a Hakko, but I was as quick with the DS017 as coworkers using Pace desoldering stations. Don't waste money on smaller spring-loaded solder suckers; that extra suction power and volume really makes a difference.


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  • RE: How to Learn to Solder & What to Buy? - bassbinotoko 13:15:47 05/23/12 (0)

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