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How To Get Started In Soldering

popularmechanics.com

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Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#131

Post by dale_glass »

gaze wrote: post #83
bambax wrote: post #24

> just be careful not to overspend on your first iron. I first learned how to solder on an ultra-cheap hardware-store unit, and you should, too I beg to differ. I used to suck at soldering, and while I'm still no expert, swapping my €20 basic soldering iron for a serious Weller unit (starting at €150) changed everything. The Weller heats up almost instantly, goes up as high as you want, and stays at a constant temper…

What people don’t understand is that Hakko and Weller ARE the low end units. The good units are made by JBC, Pace, and Metcal.

Hakko is also resting on their laurels.

Hakko is what everyone recommends but I have no idea why. It's awful stuff with a design from the 80s. The UI is awful and inscrutable without the manual, the tech is long obsolete.

Get a TS80 or something else that's actually modern -- it has excellent temperature control with a tightly integrated thermocouple like one of the expensive Hakkos (FX951), but costs less and actually displays stuff in readable English. It also has nice features like using an accelerometer to sense its own orientation and turn itself off if you leave it lying around, instead of burning a hole through your desk.

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#132

Post by giankam »

The article doesn't actually teach how to solder. Just a few tips but not practical instructions to follow. As an example this sentence: "so we’re going to start by adding solder to both the wire and the pad that it’s being soldered to—this process is often referred to as tinning."

Doesn't give a single hint on how to do it...

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#133

Post by ptero »

Good article (although I would also add my vote to "do not buy the cheapest iron" group).

It would be great to include a few ideas on what to try in this "how to get started" guide. It can be anything from an artsy soldering of a few small metal pieces to a custom switch to a simple electronics contraption. Or even a link to a few Make magazine mini-projects.

This could move the needle from reading a cool article to actually trying it. My 2c.

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#134

Post by toss1 »

bambax wrote: post #24

> just be careful not to overspend on your first iron. I first learned how to solder on an ultra-cheap hardware-store unit, and you should, too I beg to differ. I used to suck at soldering, and while I'm still no expert, swapping my €20 basic soldering iron for a serious Weller unit (starting at €150) changed everything. The Weller heats up almost instantly, goes up as high as you want, and stays at a constant temper…

Hard Agree. Plus, generalize this to all tasks and sports.

Bad equipment will give you bad habits right from the start. This does not mean that you should buy the top equipment to begin at anything, but it does mean that you should find out from some knowledgeable people what is the minimum you need so you won't be unnecessarily fighting the equipment and learning bad habits (basically hacky workarounds to the equipment's flaws) that you'll later struggle to unlearn.

For some sports or tasks, it's just solid mid-grade equipment, sometimes it's the lower end of the top-grade stuff.

Also, even if funds do not limit you, don't start out with the absolute top-level gear. Better to get a solid start, then grow until your skills let you see which aspects of your mid-grade gear start limiting you, then use that info to buy the top level gear that is actually best suited for you.

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#135

Post by severino »

lukego wrote: post #2

see also whitequark's soldering mistakes troubleshooting guide: - beginner: not using flux - intermediate: not using enough flux - advanced: not using the right flux and visually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfIwHuGzUEk

After seeing the video, I wonder if someone could recommend some flux like the one shown there, the one that looks like a yellow-orange paste. Just so I don't end up "not using the right flux" ;)

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#136

Post by varispeed »

The article doesn't mention any protective eyewear. When soldering use safety glasses - the heated flux flies everywhere and it's not fun when a hot droplet hits you in the eye.

I am not soldering without safety glasses, lab coat and nitrile gloves. May seem like an overkill, but the flux really goes everywhere and it's not good for your health.

Also don't forget to have a fume extractor! - you don't want to breathe the fumes!

If you can't get one, at very least ensure you have a fan that will blow it away from your face.

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#137

Post by lukego »

microtonal wrote: post #122
lukego wrote: post #2

see also whitequark's soldering mistakes troubleshooting guide: - beginner: not using flux - intermediate: not using enough flux - advanced: not using the right flux and visually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfIwHuGzUEk

I don't know, I use lead-free solder with a resin core and my joint looks much cleaner than most I see on /r/ErgoMechKeyboards , where people generally apply liberal amounts of flux.

Great work and great choice of flux-cored solder wire!

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#138

Post by nibbleshifter »

bambax wrote: post #24

> just be careful not to overspend on your first iron. I first learned how to solder on an ultra-cheap hardware-store unit, and you should, too I beg to differ. I used to suck at soldering, and while I'm still no expert, swapping my €20 basic soldering iron for a serious Weller unit (starting at €150) changed everything. The Weller heats up almost instantly, goes up as high as you want, and stays at a constant temper…

Its the rule supposedly came up with by Adam Savage - buy cheap tools, use em til you break em, then replace the ones you break with expensive, good tools.

The idea of that rule is so new makers can work out what tools they actually are using, so they don't waste a shitload of money.

In practice? Some tools are just worth spending the money on upfront, inferior tools will often lead to frustration and failure early on.

The problem is people think Adams rule just applies everywhere, because he is famous etc.

I actually have a draft blog post on this exact topic that I'm not finished, with examples from my own experiences.

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#139

Post by nlnn »

As a very occasional solderer, one thing I don't see written about much in beginner guides is ventilation.

With lead-based solder, I'm never sure what I should be doing, especially in a small room/workshop. Keeping windows open or having good airflow isn't always possible.

Things like: should I avoid leaning over or breathing in while leaning over something I'm soldering? Do I need to air the room afterwards? Would a small carbon fume extractor help? Anything to worry about from other chemicals in lead-free solder? Or is even lead harmless enough for someone that's not soldering ever day?

Re: How To Get Started In Soldering

#140

Post by lukego »

severino wrote: post #135
lukego wrote: post #2

see also whitequark's soldering mistakes troubleshooting guide: - beginner: not using flux - intermediate: not using enough flux - advanced: not using the right flux and visually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfIwHuGzUEk

After seeing the video, I wonder if someone could recommend some flux like the one shown there, the one that looks like a yellow-orange paste. Just so I don't end up "not using the right flux" ;)

My $0.02 is to choose name-brand solder wire (e.g. Kester/Multicore/ChipQuik) with "RA" or "RMA" flux core. That will flow well and be gentle on your tips.

The "not right" flux is often a nasty no-clean flux core in solder wire. Many don't flow well and leave a horrid residue on your tips that's hard to remove. (The bad reputation of lead-free solder seems to come not from the alloy but from solder wire with lousy choice of flux core.)

The "not enough" flux is often reworking something where the flux has been vaporized leaving only the solder. Then you need to add some new flux like in the video. The gold standard seems to be Amtech tacky fluxes like https://www.amazon.com/Amtech-Solder-Flux-NC-559-V2-TF-16150

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