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Soldering tips from Hackaday followers

Posted: 25 Aug 2021 09:14 AM PDT http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu/tVpu/~3/hW1EASz9aAc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email


Yesterday morning, @hackaday posted the following on Twitter:

What was the one thing you learned that would change the way you solder
forever more?

Here are some of the replies:

Dont use cheap soldering irons. A good one is not too expensive, and it a
makes a great difference and makes it  easier to learn how to solder.

Use quality equipment.
Get a temperature-controlled iron with as much wattage as you can afford. Chisel tip.
Tip tinner.
Use a fume extractor or fan.
Get a magnifying lamp.
Get multiple tips. Theres one for every job, and some are better suited
than others for those tasks. Pencil-tips will only get you so far!


Use good quality solder. Use leaded solder, if possible.

Use 60/40 (tin/lead) solder. Much easier to work with than unleaded.
Use thinner solder.


Flux and plenty of it.

Flux. If it isnt working? Flux. Trying to get rid of excess solder? Flux. Soldering header pins? Flux. Trying to get a TQFP on a breakout board? You guessed it! Flux!
 Get some gel flux. Aside from the benefits that flux provides, the viscosity/tackiness of the gel helps hold components in place, especially
if you’re hand soldering surface mount stuff.


Keep it clean.

Use a brass cleaner instead of a sponge for cleaning the iron tip.


Heat the whole joint, not just the pins.

Use a little solder on the iron tip to conduct heat onto the board.
Heat the pad enough before applying solder.
Put some solder on your iron before soldering. Solder conducts heat much
better than air.


Learn to use wicking braid.

Invest in a good quality hand-held desoldering pump or desoldering station
if youre going to be doing a lot of repair or rework.




Youll find all the replies at https://twitter.com/hackaday/status/1430113280735936512.

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