Do you hate to soldier?

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

e14 Contributor — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 07:59:16 GMT

I find soldering quite relaxing [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c64c8d93-491b-4647-b3cf-3d0e38d10944/2768.contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16] just sit back, put on some music or a youtube video, get a coffee (or glass of wine if you're feeling adventurous about the future!) and take your time to enjoy it.

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

e14 Contributor — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 11:07:24 GMT

I actually first used a solder to engrave wood and leather as a child. It is best to get one with a stand so you can allow it to sit and heat up. Yes, one must learn properly the first time. Schools are useless these days. I tend to not have many projects that require solder, the last one I think was with some trickle charge solar kits.

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

mcb1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 02:24:11 GMT

Soldering is an art ....

Like riding a bike there are both good and bad ways to get the job done, but once mastered it becomes easy.

We teach 11/12 yr olds to solder the components onto our electronic Xmas Tree, but we also show them a bad solder joint and how to fix it.

The biggest issue is when they have learnt somewhere else or by someone else.

Rather than heating the wire and pcb and applying solder to the junction, they apply it to the top of the iron ... hence the flux burns off and the joint is not very good.

Mark

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

4ringfan — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:44:39 GMT

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. [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c64c8d93-491b-4647-b3cf-3d0e38d10944/6813.contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]

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.

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

fvan — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:24:36 GMT

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 [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c64c8d93-491b-4647-b3cf-3d0e38d10944/2577.contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]

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

Frederick

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

DAB — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 19:56:45 GMT

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

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

screamingtiger — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 14:50:57 GMT

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.

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

johnbeetem — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 14:39:30 GMT

I hate soldiering too. But I don't mind soldering [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c64c8d93-491b-4647-b3cf-3d0e38d10944/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16] You've got to have the right power, temperature, and flux to make soldering a pleasure instead of a frustration. I haven't used lead-free solder, so maybe that's why I haven't had issues.

Choice of flux is very important. The right flux releases addictive chemicals that make you want to go back and solder more. I found Heathkit solder to be particularly groovy, which I think they did deliberately to sell more kits. [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c64c8d93-491b-4647-b3cf-3d0e38d10944/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]

RE: Do you hate to soldier?

clem57 — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 14:14:19 GMT

Shorter version showing how fast...

[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSKuRTLAr3s:520:333]