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  • Author Author: clem57
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Do you hate to soldier?

clem57

     I seem have have a phobia or mental block when it comes to soldiering. First there is the iron heating up and waiting. Later I have to be careful not to burn me or the table. Ouch!imageimage So now to check was it a good joint. Oops!image Try again until it is correct. So what am I to do? Here is a new tool that I am going to use:

 

 

     Well to jog my memory... Oh where is that pen? Oh well next I need that string around the finger. LOLimage

 

Clem

  • As a kid, I de-soldered literally thousands of components.  All with an inexpensive weller corded soldering iron.  I probably gave myself my asthma condition considering how much solder smoke I inhaled. image

     

    For the last 20+ years when I'm out in the field working on dental equipment that needed to be soldered, I would whip out my butane powered portable soldering iron.  https://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/butane-powered/ultratorches/ultratorch-ut-100si I think that many of my skills suffered with the use of the Butane powered soldering iron.  It always seems to be either too hot or not hot enough.  Still can't quite beat the portability of it though, and it is still a good iron.

     

    Recently I picked up a new temperature controlled bench hot air and soldering iron and I'm very much enjoying it and I am realizing what I've been missing all these years.  Nice to be able to accurately control the solder flow.

  • I like soldering with an iron, but now that I finally tried surface mount components and hot air soldering, a new world has opened up! I'm thinking of building a small reflow oven now image

     

    For other solderless things, you could consider copper tape or electric paint: https://vimeo.com/78150218

     

    Frederick

  • Soldering skill is easily learned and lasts a life time.

     

    I have solder many things in my long career.

     

    I learned very early that it is easier to do it right the first time than it is to find a cold solder joint.

     

    I just really hated intermittent problems.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    Hi John,

    I agree with you 100% on the intoxicating quality of the solder from the kit building era. Once in a while I will be taking apart an old piece of equipment and I will catch a whiff of that smell from the solder. Pure nostalgic bliss. As for the circuit scribe it seems to be a pretty neat idea and will undoubtedly have some good applications. Will it replace breadboards and current prototyping techniques? I doubt it. I also wonder if a short circuit will potentially set the paper on fire.

    John W.

  • One thing I noticed is that the new lead free solder is harder to use for smaller components.  It doesn't melt as well and requires more heat.

    I still have plenty of lead based solder around for small jobs like soldering thing wires so I don't melt the insulation.