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soldering station temperature

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Posted on October 14, 2023 at 17:43:46
xaudiomanx
Audiophile

Posts: 3663
Joined: August 16, 2004
 I am using a Hakko soldering station(forget the model) and it has a dial on it to control the temperature. I usually use it wide open or full heat. It is a 75 watt station. I was wondering what would be the best temperature to use it. I am thinking of buying one with a digital readout on the front panel with a rework gun with it. Is a rework iron worth having. I don't do a lot of repairs or for that matter, repair at all. But it seems to me that it is a cool thing to have.

I am also running out of solder and was wondering what the best solder to buy.

The way thinks are now I don't get that shiny silver look after soldering. I was wondering if it had anything to do with the heat applied.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

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RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 14, 2023 at 22:08:08
gusser
Audiophile

Posts: 3649
Location: So. California
Joined: September 6, 2006
 On PC boards I keep mine at 750F If a large copper area or a big lug I move it up to 800F or even 850F.

I use Kester 44 solder. You can get it on Amazon.

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 15, 2023 at 03:31:18
triode3
Manufacturer

Posts: 374
Location: Midwest
Joined: August 23, 2005
 While AA user gusser suggests 750, I keep mine a little lower at between 625-650, depending on what is in front of me. I am mostly soldering point to point on turret boards or PCBs. I am using a pretty old Weller ESD with temperature control.

I use Kester 44 solder also (24-6040-0027), very small gauge like 22.

I find that when I hit something large it might take a little while longer to heat it up (for example, binding post ends, or ground lugs), but I like the lower temperature as it gives me a split second more time to mess with anything should the need arise.


As for best solder, eh, I am not sure. I used to get Silver bearing solder from Welborne labs (long gone) and even have some from the rat-shack (can you believe they used to sell it?), but technically that was in my "this has to be hi-fi everywhere" phase. I do like the way it looks, but the price now is high. Today I prefer Kesters 66/44. I guess it is probably harder to find the lead ones (I was buying them in cases of 1lb spools so I have plenty left over). Not to be neutral or negative, but I think it is just personal taste until you get into the esoteric situations (e.g. what is the best solder for a jet engine or something going into space). If I were you I would just try a few and see what you like. They are probably not the cheapest on solder, but if you go to Mouser you can search for solder, and then sort by alloy.

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 15, 2023 at 12:25:38
xaudiomanx
Audiophile

Posts: 3663
Joined: August 16, 2004
 Hi,

Thank you and Gusser for the info. I lowered the heat a bit and soldered in some diodes for a bias circuit(Dynaco) and it soldered a lot more smooth and shiny. Only thing is my iron has no temperature display to tell me what temp I am on. I am probably going to get the station with a rework iron as well. But anyway, thanks!!!

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 15, 2023 at 20:27:27
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10181
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 I use an older Weller WTCP 60W temp controlled iron (non-adjustable). Supposedly, temperature can be changed with different tips, but I don't know what's in it. Regardless, this iron does an extremely good job of soldering. I sometimes break out a 100/140W gun for things like chassis-mounted ground lugs. About the solder, it becomes grainy when the flux has burned off and the surface of the joint can't contract smoothly as it cools. Too much heat or too much time on the joint will both cause this. I agree with the other comments about best solder. Kester 44 eutectic (63/37) is excellent.


 

Canadian made Aim 62/36/2 is great (Mouser) (nt), posted on October 16, 2023 at 08:48:11
Chip647
Audiophile

Posts: 2693
Location: The South
Joined: December 24, 2012

 

RE: Canadian made Aim 62/36/2 is great (Mouser) (nt), posted on October 16, 2023 at 14:34:41
xaudiomanx
Audiophile

Posts: 3663
Joined: August 16, 2004
 Hi,

Which one do you recommend? .050 or.025

 

RE: Canadian made Aim 62/36/2 is great (Mouser) (nt), posted on October 16, 2023 at 23:50:37
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10181
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 IMO, .025" is perfect for SS PCBs with ICs and transistors, but inconvenient when working on tube gear. Lately, I've been using .031" (0.8mm) and found it to be a good compromise. The formula is 63/37 3.3%.


 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 18, 2023 at 09:41:18
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10962
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 I am not sure what Hakko you are using, but I use this relatively inexpensive Hakko soldering station. It's fantastic in my opinion and does a great job controlling temperature. Comes up to temp in less than a minute. I think I set mine at 700 degrees; I never use it "wide open". (I am not suggesting you should buy one via Amazon; that's just the first photo I found on line.)

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 19, 2023 at 14:51:39
xaudiomanx
Audiophile

Posts: 3663
Joined: August 16, 2004
 The Hakko I use is a great one but it has no way of letting you know the temperature it is. It might be an older model.

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 30, 2023 at 13:42:59
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10962
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 If there is no temperature gauge, then what you have is not likely to be a "soldering station", which term, I think, specifically means that the device holds the temperature at the tip to a set level. If you look at the photos of the Hakko 888D, you can see the temperature as a digital readout. I wouldn't work an unregulated soldering gun. Sorry for the long delayed response; I just saw this after being absent from the site for a while.

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on October 30, 2023 at 23:57:55
dericmc@live.com
Audiophile

Posts: 101
Location: Amarillo Texas
Joined: October 21, 2023
Contributor
  Since: October 31, 2023
 usually, 800 degrees is fine for most projects.
solder pots work good for tough stuff or the old RadioShack heat gun style.

 

RE: soldering station temperature, posted on November 5, 2023 at 16:53:00
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1539
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 I have been using a Hako 936 for years now, it's a excellent tool. I usually set it between 700-800 depending on the project.
I only use WBT solder, it melts fast and makes a strong great sounding connection.

 

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