[* Note: The use of lead in solder is now increasingly prohibited in many countries. [* Note: The use of lead in the solder is now banned in many countries. "Lead free" solder is now statutory instead.] "Lead free" solder is now the law instead.]
Electronics Often catalogs include a selection of well-known brands of soldering iron. Electronic catalogs often include a selection of well-known brands of soldering iron. Excellent British-made ones include the Universally popular Antex, Adcola and Litesold makes. Very well made in the UK which includes universally popular Antex, Adcola and Litesold brand. Other popular brands include Those made by Weller and Ungar. Other popular brands include those made by Weller and Ungar. A very basic mains electric soldering iron can cost from under £ 5 (U.S. $ 8), but expect a reasonable model to be approximately £ 10 - £ 12 (U.S. $ 16 - 20) - though it's possible to spend into three figures on a soldering iron "station" if you're really serious! A soldering iron is very basic electrical power can cost from under £ 5 (U.S. $ 8), but expect a reasonable model to be about £ 10 - £ 12 (U.S. $ 16 - 20) - although it's possible to spend into three figures on the iron " station "solder if you're really serious! Check some suppliers' catalogs for some typical types. Check the catalog number of suppliers for some kind of typical. Certain factors you need to bear in mind include: - Certain factors you need to remember include: -
Voltage: most irons run from the mains at 240V. Voltage: the running of an electric iron on 240V. However, low voltage types (eg 12V or 24V) Generally form part of a "soldering station" and are designed to be used with a special controller made by the same manufacturer. However, this type of low voltage (eg 12V or 24V) generally form part of the "soldering station" and is designed for use with a special controller made by the same manufacturer.
Wattage: Typically, They may have a power rating of Between 15-25 watts or so, the which is fine for most work. Watt: Typically, they may have a power rating of between 15-25 watts or more, which is good for most jobs. A higher wattage does not mean That the iron runs hotter - it simply means That there is more power in reserve for coping with larger joints. A higher wattage does not mean that the iron runs hotter - it simply means that there is more power in reserve to cope with the larger joints. This also depends partly on the design of the "bits" (the tip of the iron). It also depends in part on the design of the "bit" (tip of the iron). Consider a higher wattage iron simply as being more "unstoppable" when it comes to heavier-duty work, Because it will not cool down so Quickly. Consider a higher wattage iron simply as being more "unstoppable" when it comes to heavy-duty work, as it will not cool so quickly.
Temperature Control: Temperature Control: The simplest and cheapest types do not have any form of temperature regulation. simple and inexpensive type do not have the form of temperature regulation. Simply plug them in and switch them on! Simply plug them in and turned on them! Thermal regulation is "designed in" (by physics, not electronics!): They may be described as "thermally balanced" so That They have some degree of temperature "matching" Their output but will otherwise not be controlled. Thermal regulation "designed" (by physics, not electronics!): They can be described as "thermally balanced" so that they have some degree of temperature "matching" but their output will otherwise not be controlled. Unregulated irons form an ideal general purpose iron for most users, and They cope well with Generally printed circuit board soldering and general interwiring. Iron is not set to form an ideal general purpose iron for most users, and they generally cope well with printed circuit board soldering and general interwiring. Most of these "miniature" types of iron will be of little use when Attempting to solder large joints (eg very large terminals or very thick wires) Because the component being soldered will "sink" heat away from the tip of the iron, cooling it down too much. Most of the "miniature" types of metal will come in handy a little while trying to solder large joints (eg very large terminals or very thick wires) because the components are soldered will "sink" the heat from the tip of the iron, cooling it down too much. (This is where a higher wattage comes in useful.) (Herein higher wattage comes in handy.)
A proper temperature-controlled iron will be quite a lot more expensive - retailing at say £ 40 (U.S. $ 60) or more - and will have some form of built-in thermostatic control, to Ensure That the temperature of the bit (the tip of the iron) is maintained at a fixed level (within limits). A proper temperature-controlled iron will be very much more expensive - retailing at say £ 40 (U.S. $ 60) or more - and will have some form of built-in thermostatic control, to ensure that the temperature of bits (the tip of the iron) is maintained at a fixed rate (within limits). This is Desirable ESPECIALLY during more frequent use, since it helps to Ensure That the temperature does not "overshoot" in Between times, and also guarantees the output will be That Relatively stable. This is desirable especially when used more frequently, as this helps to ensure that the temperature does not "overshoot" in between times, and also ensures that the output will be relatively stable. Some irons have a bimetallic strip thermostat built into the handle of the which Gives an audible "click" in use: other types use all-electronic controllers, and some may be adjustable using a screwdriver. Several lines of iron have a bimetal thermostat built into the handle which provides "click" sounds used: other types use all-electronic controllers, and some may be adjusted using a screwdriver.
Yet more expensive still, soldering stations cost from £ 70 (U.S. $ 115) upwards (the iron may be sold separately, so you can pick the type you prefer), and consist of a complete bench-top control unit into the which a special low -voltage soldering iron is plugged. But still more expensive, soldering stations cost from £ 70 (U.S. $ 115) upwards (the iron can be sold separately, so you can choose which type you prefer), and consists of a bench-top unit to control a special low voltage solder attached. Might Some versions have a built-in digital temperature readout, and will have a control knob to enable you to Vary the setting. Some versions may have built-in temperature readings digitally, and will have the control buttons to allow you to change settings. The temperature Could be boosted for soldering larger joints, for example, or for using higher melting-point solders (eg silver solder). Temperature can be increased more for solder joints, for example, or to use a higher melting point solders (eg silver solder). These are designed for the most discerning users, or for continuous production line / professional use. It is designed for users who are smartest, or for continuous production / professional use. The best stations have irons the which are well balanced, with comfort-grip handles in the which REMAIN cool all day. The best stations have a balanced iron, with comfort-grip handles that stay cool all day. A thermocouple will be built into the tip or shaft, the which monitors temperature. A thermocouple will be built into the tip or shaft, which monitors the temperature.
Anti-static protection: if you're interested in soldering a lot of static-sensitive parts (eg CMOS chips or MOSFET transistors), more advanced and expensive soldering iron stations use static-dissipative materials in their construction to Ensure That does not build static up on the iron Itself. Anti-static protection: if you're interested in soldering a lot static-sensitive parts (eg CMOS chips or MOSFET transistors), more advanced and expensive soldering iron stations use static-dissipative materials in their construction to ensure that static does not build on top of the iron itself. You may see these listed as "ESD safe" (electrostatic discharge proof). The cheapest irons will not Necessarily be ESD-safe but never the less will still probably perform perfectly well in most hobby or educational applications, if you take the usual anti-static Precautions when handling the components. You can see it listed as "ESD safe" (electrostatic discharge proof). Irons the cheapest is not necessarily the ESD-safe, but never the less still be possible to do well in most hobby or educational applications, if you take the usual anti-static precautions when handling components. The tip would need to be well earthed (grounded) in these circumstances. The tip would need to be well earthed (grounded) in these circumstances.
Bits: it's useful to have a small selection of manufacturer's bits (soldering iron tips) available with different diameters or shapes, the which can be changed depending on the type of work in hand. Bit: It is useful to have a small selection of bit manufacturers (solder tips) available with different diameters or shapes, which can be changed depending on the type of job at hand. That you'll probably find you Become accustomed to, and work best with, a particular shape of tip. You will probably find that you become accustomed to, and work best with, a particular form of the tip. Often, tips are iron-coated to preserve Their life, or They may be bright-plated instead. Often, iron plated tips to preserve their lives, or they may be bright-plated instead. Copper tips are seldom seen these days. Tips copper is rarely seen today.
Spare parts: it's nice to know that spare parts may be available, so if the element blows, you do not need to replace the entire iron. Spare parts: it is nice to know that spare parts may not be available, so if the element blows, you do not need to replace the entire iron. This is ESPECIALLY so with expensive irons. This is especially so with expensive iron. Check through some of the larger mail-order catalogs. Check through some mail-order catalogs is greater.
You will occasionally see gas-powered soldering irons the which use butane rather than the mains electrical supply to operate. You will occasionally see gas-powered soldering iron that uses butane instead of electricity supply to operate. They have a catalytic element which, once warmed up, Continues to glow hot when gas passes over them. They have a catalytic element which, after heating, continues to glow hot when gas passes through them. Service engineers use them for working on repairs where there may be no power available, or where a joint is tricky to reach with a normal iron, so They are really for occasional "on the spot" use for quick repairs, rather than for mainstream construction or assembly work. Service engineers use it to do repairs where there may be no power available, or where the joint is difficult to achieve with normal iron, so they are really for occasional "on-site" is used for a quick fix, not for major construction or assembly work . One typical example is given a full review with photographs here. One typical example is given a full review with pictures here.
Another technique is the proprietary "Coldheat" battery powered soldering iron That We Reviewed here. Another technique is the proprietary "Coldheat" battery-powered soldering iron that we were last here. There are a number of Reasons why this should only be used with extreme care (if at all) on electronic circuitboards. There are several reasons why this should only be used with extreme care (if at all) on the electronic circuitboards.
A soldering gun is a gun-shaped iron, Typically running at 100W or more, and is completely unsuitable for soldering modern electronic components: they're too hot, heavy and unwieldy for micro-electronics use. A soldering gun is pistol-shaped iron, typically running at 100W or more, and completely unsuitable for soldering modern electronic components: they are too hot, heavy and hard to use micro-electronics. Plumbing, maybe ..! Plumbing, maybe ..!
Soldering irons are best used along with a heat-resistant bench-type holder, so That the hot iron can be parked in Between Safely use. Solder is best used in conjunction with the holder of the heat-resistant bench-type, so that the hot iron can be safely parked in between use. Soldering stations already have this feature, otherwise a separate soldering iron stand is essential, preferably one with a holder for tip-cleaning sponges. Soldering stations already have this feature, if not separate soldering iron stand is essential, preferably one with a holder for the tip-cleaning sponge. Now let's look at how to use soldering irons properly, and how to put right when a joint of Things goes wrong. Now let's see how to use solder properly, and how to put things right when the joint is wrong.
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