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Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

instructables.com

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Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#81

Post by sandreas »

gw99 wrote: post #77
sandreas wrote: post #20

Oh boy, nice idea, but this looks complicated and time consuming. I recommend to get some good equipment first: - solder fume extractor (see below) - extra thin high quality tin - a desoldering pump AND desoldering wire - high quality flux - a TS 100 soldering Iron with KU tip from ali express for 50 bucks - optional: USB-C Power Adapter for your existing power supply (so you don't have to buy one) - optional: a sold…

Oh please not the flux over everything argument. This is completely wrong. Buy a decent iron (metcal - get a second hand one off eBay) and some decent solder (felder 62/36/2) and you don’t need it. Also don’t use a toothbrush with isopropyl. They tend to dissolve and leave crap all over the board.

I modified the "advice" a bit... What would you recommend to clean up?

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#82

Post by munificent »

skybrian wrote: post #64
munificent wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Electronics was my pandemic hobby. Even with a temperature controlled solder station, my technique was really hit or miss. Part of that is obviously experience, but the real lightbulb moment for me was good solder . Once I switched to Kester solder, I had a much better more consistent experience. My hypothesis is that cheaper solder doesn't have the flux as evenly distributed, so you get spans of solder with too litt…

Any particular kind you like? I'm still using some lead solder my wife had; maybe I should go lead-free if I'm buying some?

The one I got is "Kester 24-6337-8800 50 Activated Rosin Cored Wire Solder Roll, 245 No-Clean, 63/37 Alloy, 0.031" Diameter". I have no idea which of those words and numbers are significant. :)

I didn't go lead-free because I've heard leaded solder is easier to use (lower melting point?) and since I'm just a part-time hobbyist, the health and environment considerations are minimal. It's not like I'm soldering eight hours a day every day.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#83

Post by lapetitejort »

outworlder wrote: post #63
lapetitejort wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Now flash IronOS[1] on your soldering Iron I got to here and thought this was some elaborate joke, and expected the github page to continue on with the joke. An operating system for a soldering iron?? But no, it seems 100% serious. Somehow soldering iron tech passed me by.

I just need a firmware that will connect to Home Assistant so it can track my soldering habits. Just joking... mostly.

As someone who has left their soldering iron run overnight, this might be useful...

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#84

Post by ThatPlayer »

outworlder wrote: post #62
sandreas wrote: post #20

Oh boy, nice idea, but this looks complicated and time consuming. I recommend to get some good equipment first: - solder fume extractor (see below) - extra thin high quality tin - a desoldering pump AND desoldering wire - high quality flux - a TS 100 soldering Iron with KU tip from ali express for 50 bucks - optional: USB-C Power Adapter for your existing power supply (so you don't have to buy one) - optional: a sold…

Why is it that the TS100 gets recommended so often? I took a look at it, ultimately got a TS80P. It's smaller, and fed via USB-C. Seems to work perfectly fine. > solder fume extractor How big of a deal is solder fumes of unleaded solder?

The TS100 tips are not compatible with the TS80P last I checked. The TS100 uses generic T12 tips that are easier to get. Same as the Pinecil too.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#86

Post by ThatPlayer »

accrual wrote: post #38
sandreas wrote: post #20

Oh boy, nice idea, but this looks complicated and time consuming. I recommend to get some good equipment first: - solder fume extractor (see below) - extra thin high quality tin - a desoldering pump AND desoldering wire - high quality flux - a TS 100 soldering Iron with KU tip from ali express for 50 bucks - optional: USB-C Power Adapter for your existing power supply (so you don't have to buy one) - optional: a sold…

As someone aspiring to solder more, thanks for this list! Do you have any thoughts on the TS 100 vs the Pinecil? I thought the Pinecil was a slightly newer and more refined iron but curious if you have an opinion. https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-solde...

I did have issues with 2 Pinecils breaking on me. The first one they replaced under warranty. I still use a 3rd I have, so I don't mind recommending it because I can get a Pinecil for cheaper than a TS100, and I doubt you'll get better support for a TS100 if something does come up within the warranty period.

Oh I should mention I have both the TS100 and Pinecil, and the Pinecil does everything the TS100 does.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#87

Post by [deleted] »

gw99 wrote: post #77
sandreas wrote: post #20

Oh boy, nice idea, but this looks complicated and time consuming. I recommend to get some good equipment first: - solder fume extractor (see below) - extra thin high quality tin - a desoldering pump AND desoldering wire - high quality flux - a TS 100 soldering Iron with KU tip from ali express for 50 bucks - optional: USB-C Power Adapter for your existing power supply (so you don't have to buy one) - optional: a sold…

Oh please not the flux over everything argument. This is completely wrong. Buy a decent iron (metcal - get a second hand one off eBay) and some decent solder (felder 62/36/2) and you don’t need it. Also don’t use a toothbrush with isopropyl. They tend to dissolve and leave crap all over the board.

[deleted]

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#88

Post by squarefoot »

Bad advice. Just use a good solder iron, thin solder (possibly leaded), and good no clean flux, then lots of practice. It's all about timing: too quick = cold solder joint; too slow = burned pad/track, or part. Learn also to understand about thermal mass and how to change the temperature and timings according to what you're soldering and its size.

Also, that iron looks like a Hakko "936" cheap clone: they are barely above the garbage level; get a better one. Used Wellers aren't that expensive, and no, you won't need a microcontroller for digital temperature control and all those gimmicks they put in modern solder irons. I also have a PineCil from the same folks that made the PinePhone and was amazed by its quality. Yes, it has a mcu for digital temperature control, but I'd lie if I wrote that I used any of its functions beyond setting the temperature.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#89

Post by gw99 »

sandreas wrote: post #81
gw99 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please not the flux over everything argument. This is completely wrong. Buy a decent iron (metcal - get a second hand one off eBay) and some decent solder (felder 62/36/2) and you don’t need it. Also don’t use a toothbrush with isopropyl. They tend to dissolve and leave crap all over the board.

I modified the "advice" a bit... What would you recommend to clean up?

Kimwipes soaked in isopropyl pushed around with some guaranteed 100% nylon brushes (usually the black ESD brushes are fine for this).

Toothbrushes bristles may melt. Not all of them are nylon and if they aren’t they will go sticky and this will wipe off on the surfaces.

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