FOSUG	Main Page | About | Help | FAQ | Special pages | Log in
	Printable version | Disclaimers | Privacy policy

Soldering

From FOSUG

Contents 1 Iron 1.1 Types of Irons 2 Solder 2.1 What type to buy 2.2 Lead Free? 3 Accessories 4 What to bring to class

Iron

There are many different types of soldering irons, depending on your preference, skill level, use, and how much you want to spend. There are 6 main types of irons available to the hobbyist, main powered, battery, station based, gas,"COLD", and gun. Some of the pros and cons to each are listed below.

Types of Irons

There are several classes of irons that you can buy, depending on your preference and use.

• Main Powered - plugs into wall outlet, attached to a cord, and usually run from $8 to $40.
  • Pros
    1. Cheap
    2. Can be upgraded to a soldering station
    3. Easy to use
    4. Can be used for hours at a time.
    5. Minimal temperature control. (Some irons support Dual temperature control, HI/LOW)
  • Cons
    1. Requires Power
    2. Cord can get in way
    3. Not electrically isolated and can bleed power into your project. (Unless paired with a grounding station)
    4. Long Heat up / Cool down times. (5-10 minutes to heat up, 20+ minutes to cool down)
    5. Must wait for long cool times before changing tips
    6. Minimal or no temperature control. (Some irons support Dual temperature control, HI/LOW)

• Battery Powered - runs off of rechargeable batteries, usually range from $40 to $200
  • Pros
    1. No Cord to get in way
    2. Portable - Great for field work
    3. Fast heat up / cool down times (usually under 3 seconds to heat up, and 60 seconds to cool down)
    4. Easy Tip exchange (usually under a minute due to fast cool times)
    5. Mostly electrically isolated, very little bleed into project.
  • Cons
    1. Must remember to keep it charged.
    2. Short lifespan of batteries. - Even the best batteries will fail in about a year requiring replacements.
    3. Short run times. - Most battery powered irons will only solder 50-100 joints on a charge.
    4. Can not be used for large projects. Tips will be damaged by long soldering sessions.
    5. Short lifespan on tips.

• Soldering Stations - Main Powered irons, on crack. Range from $80 to $1000+
  • Pros
    1. Very fine temperature control - High end units can be controlled by individual degrees.
    2. High end units support electrical isolation and grounding.
    3. Place to hold your iron, tips, cleaning cloth, and other accessories
    4. Can be used for extremely long times, 8+ hours a day.
  • Cons
    1. Expensive
    2. Not portable
    3. Cord can get in way
    4. Long heat up / cool down times (same as Main powered)
    5. Difficult to change tips due to long cool down times.

• Gas Powered - Iron is powered by a flammable gas, usually butane or propane, they range from $10 to $70.
  • Pros
    1. Portable
    2. Very fast heat up / cool down times (3 seconds for heat up, 30 for cool down)
    3. Can be used for extended times.
    4. Completely electrically isolated. - No electric power is being used to heat iron, thus no chance of bleed.
    5. Catalyst (the part that creates heat) has relatively long life.
    6. Variable temperature control.
    7. Easy/Quick Tip replacements.
    8. Exhaust port can be used to seal, and to shrink heat-shrink tubes
    9. Most gas irons also have blowtorch, hot-knife, hot-air blower attachments
  • Cons
    1. Requires you carry spare fuel
    2. Flammable
    3. Catalyst can be damaged by impacts while hot. - Dropping an iron while hot can shatter the catalyst, requiring replacement. Catalysts are very strong while cold.
    4. Must be mindful of exhaust port. - Possibility of burning the surface you set it on, if exhaust port is not pointing UP.

• "Cold" Soldering Irons - Irons that are cold to touch after solder joint is made. $19.95 + shipping and handling
  • Pros
    1. Cheap
    2. Portable
    3. Very difficult to burn yourself. (you almost have to TRY)
  • Cons
    1. Almost worthless for more then 1 joint.
    2. Tips VERY fragile
    3. No temperature control
    4. Can damage sensitive electronics
    5. Does not work on thick solder
    6. Does not work on large joints
    7. Does not work well on lead-free solder
    8. Does not work well on hard solder
    9. Can Not be used with acid based flux

• Soldering Gun - Giant High wattage soldering iron, in the shape of a gun. $20+
  • Pros
    1. Almost instant heat up times
    2. Great for splicing high voltage lines
    3. Great for plumbing repairs.
  • Cons
    1. Way too hot for most electronics work
    2. Heavy and awkward
    3. Large Tips

Solder

What type to buy

• There are many different types solder available.
  • For beginners I would recommend a 60/40 tin/lead rosin core - This is easy to use solid solder
  • Beginners should start with the thinest solder they can find. - You may need end up using more at a time, but you will have much better control.
  • You want Rosin core solder. - Rosin is a cleaning and bonding agent that must be added during the process. If the rosin is not in your solder you must apply it separately. Rosin can be messy.
  • DO NOT USE ACID FLUX BASED SOLDER. - Acid based solder will eat away at electronics over time and when hot.

Lead Free?

• Lead free solder is now readily available, but a bit harder to work with. I would recommend lead solder for the beginner.
  • Pros for Lead-Free
    1. Environmentally friendly
    2. Harder Joints (Stronger if done correctly)
    3. Can handle higher temperature environments
  • Cons for Lead-Free
    1. Requires higher heat
    2. Requires longer dwell times (time it takes to liquefy solder)
    3. Requires longer set times (time it takes solder to solidify and bond)
    4. Shorter tip life due to faster oxidation
    5. May be harder for beginners
    6. Requires all parts and cleaning tools are lead free as well.

Accessories

• Necessary
  1. Safety glasses
  2. Sponge/Paper towel for cleaning
  3. Stand (fancy or bent wire coat hanger will do)
• Helpful
  1. De-soldering tool - Yes we make mistakes
  • 1. Solder sucker - Used with an iron to suck solder off wire/circuit - Cheap, re-usable, requires two hands, takes some practice
    2. Solder braid/Wick - Wire mesh that solder will be drawn too. Very cheap, each segment is expended once used, easy to use.
    3. De-soldering Iron - Special tool for removing solder - More expensive, re-usable, one handed operation.
  1. Cleaning paste - If your iron gets really dirty you will need a cleaning agent.
  2. Small Wire brush
  3. 3rd hand - Useful for holding small parts while soldering
  4. Magnifying glass.

What to bring to class

Part recommendations are strictly my opinion, I'm not endorsed by any company or product. Recommendations are just based on personal experience. these can generally be found locally, Whitcomm electronics, Sparkies, radio shack, sears.

• Soldering Iron - Any 12-55watt (equivalent) iron with a 1.0 to 3.0mm Tip will be acceptable.
• Iron cleaning pot. You can buy one, or get a metal jar lid, and cut a cheap sponge to fit inside. Moist paper towels in lid will also work in a pinch.
• Solder - 60/40 Mix, with Rosin core
• Broken circuit boards, wire, etc, to play with.
• A way to de-solder. Wick/Braid, Solder sucker, or de-soldering iron.

I'll bring my irons for demo, and have a few tools people can try.