Date   : Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:16:04 +0000
From   : darren.grant@... (Darren Grant)
Subject: Soldering iron and use

Generally speaking Gas soldering irons are hopeless, only really suitable
for keeping in a toolbox for backup use.

Soldering is relatively straight forward but the quality of the Iron does
make a difference to the results. While an experienced electronics engineer
can probably get results from a cigarette lighter and a 4? nail, that doesn?t
make it the best tool.

First things not to buy.

1. Solering Gun, those things with an instant heat trigger sold in DIY shops
they pass a high AC current through a wire tip to make heat and destroy everything.
Only really suitable for soldering wires on electrical systems not on electronics.

2. Portable battery irons. Similar to the soldering guns they are not really
suitable for electronics use.

3. Cheap 5 megawatt irons sold by supermarkets and DIY stores. A bit of 
an exaggeration really, but you will see crazy wattage irons sold for under 
?10 in many places, usually 50W+ and they are hopeless. First they are overly 
hot so you end up with component damage and PCB tracks lifting of of the 
board. Especially with the old phenolic paper boards used in vintage hardware 
that are not through-hole plated. They invariably also have a tip that is
held in with a grub screw that is not thermally balanced and the expansion
and contraction causes the tip to fall out .

4. Gas soldering Irons :)

What to buy, ideally you would get a temperature controlled soldering station 
that gives the best results. However they can be quite expensive and maybe 
not a worthwhile investment for an occasional soldering job. If that is the
case then you are probably better off getting a good quality basic iron than
an el cheapo soldering station.

I have used an Antex iron for 30 odd years like this one http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/25-watt-soldering-iron.html 
<http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/25-watt-soldering-iron.html> 
that has served me well until I upgraded to a top notch soldering station.
25W is a good general purpose wattage for an electronics Iron and the Antex
ones are well thermally balanced.

When removing components I would also recommend either some desoldering braid
or a solder sucker 
http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/desoldering-braid.html
<http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/desoldering-braid.html>
or
http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/vacuum-desoldering-tool.html
<http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/electronics/tools/soldering/vacuum-desoldering-tool.html>

* Disclousre the Tandy links are my company, the same items can be found
elsewhere.

Darren