Wishlist - What do you need for Soldering?

Removing components can be just as important as soldering them on. Always adding some fresh solder, preferable low melting point, before removing a component, can save headaches later. 

Here are the some of simple and best tips while soldering...... 

1.Use the right soldering iron for the job.

2.Clean the soldering iron tip with a damp sponge or brass wire brush before and after each use.

3.Use only enough solder to make a good connection.

4.When soldering wires to a printed circuit board, heat both the wire and the pad before applying solder.

5.Use flux to help the solder flow and make it easier to create a good connection.

6.Use a helping hand tool to hold components in place while soldering.

7.Practice soldering to improve your skills.

8.Use safety precautions such as wearing eye protection and working in a well-ventilated area.

9.Use lead-free solder for electronics and rosin-core solder for general purpose work.

10.Be patient and take your time when soldering.

I started soldering a little late, although my father had an old soldering gun that had a 1.5-2mm diameter copper wire at the tip. I was gluing one wire, another. Then when I got hired, I worked with a soldering iron that was always connected to the 230VAC socket. I couldn't adjust the temperature and it was a bit difficult, but I didn't solder small components back then. Then I had the opportunity to use a better soldering station, with temperature control, display, sharp tips, I learned to solder SMD components with this station. I personally use a common 60W soldering station, which connects directly to 230VAC, is pen type, and everything is in this pen; it has the possibility to adjust the temperature, it also has a small display. But, it doesn't have an On-Off button, when I turn it on it shows me 160° from the start, so it doesn't start from 0°; it is a bit uncomfortable for finer soldering, and the tips are not durable. Having said that, I can say that:
- we need a soldering station with On/Off button;
- temperature adjustment starting from 0° would be useful;
- use tips depending on how strong/hard the soldering is, for SMDs use thin tips, for THDs a normal conical tip is good, for components with a larger pad or thermal pad as we see with transistors, use a chisel type tip, wider/ thicker;
- try not to use leaded soldering wire, it is not very healthy, in general you should also have a system with a filter for smoke absorption, I drink a lot of water when soldering;
- use a wet sponge to clean the tip, or a wire type sponge if you have one;
- if you don't have a soldering station that turns off by itself when you don't use it, put soldering wire on the tip so that it doesn't stay hot when dry;
- if you touch plastic materials with the tip, clean it as quickly as you can;
- be careful with thin tips, with a tip of 0.4, for example, like the ones you use when gluing SMD components, they can easily bend if you hit something hard, and they are expensive;
- when I solder THDs, I put my tip so that it simultaneously touches both the component pin and the pad, anyway they heat up quickly, then I come with soldering wire, and I try to make a complete solder, with a slightly conical appearance if you want to call it that so;
- for SMD components, for example an 0805 capsule resistor which is very common, I put a little soldering wire on a pad, and then with tweezers I grab the part and bring it over the pads;
- do not damage your eyes trying to glue small SMD components, use a magnifying glass if you have, or even better, a microscope;
- do not heat the LEDs too much, they can still be destroyed;
- when I unsolder components, I prefer to put extra soldering wires on the solder so that the tip heats up the pad and the piece faster;
- if you use soldering flux, clean the excess with isopropyl alcohol, for example;
- the very sharp tips can scratch the PCB, be careful;
- if you want to glue an integrated SMD or THD, and you made a short between the pins, and you don't manage to remove it, use absorbent braid, but be careful that it can leave small strands of wire behind;
- about two times I used a hot air blower to unglue a QFP package, also use protective thermal tape to avoid ungluing other components;
- perhaps the easiest way is to unsolder THD components using the absorption pump, heat the pad and quickly pull the solder with the pump, or you can clean the PCB holes;
- do not leave the pins from THDs uncut, you have glued the part, cut the terminals that are long, otherwise they can cause a short circuit;
- don't keep your eyes too close to the solder, something might jump on your face, I still spot this on old boards where saccaze or I don't know what substances were used;
- make sure that the solder has cooled down before moving the piece or plate;
- and last but not least, if you take care of your clothes, avoid contact with melted soldering wire, I for one did not manage to save my pants and shoes.

If anyone has any more advice, put it next to this list if they want.

Sorry for typos, I used an online translator.

Cleaning tip of soldering gun and using flux to avoid dry soldering . 

I wouldn't call them tricks, but a good temperature-controlled soldering iron and some solder flux is always helpful in soldering components.  For removing components, especially SMD, preheating the board along with solder wick or sucker is helpful.  Maybe a pair of tweezers too.  Also, if you need to stabilize a component being soldered to use the smallest clamp available (like an alligator clip) instead of your dad's 20-year-old bench vise 8^).  BUT the best advice I could give would be to have patience.  It will save you from much rework and burnt fingers.  

Most things I think will come with experience, like the temp I need to set the soldering iron to (still get that wrong). Another thing is keeping the soldering iron lead detangled, sounds stupid, but put it down on the worktop (I know a no-no) for a second to grab a pcb that was falling, the lead detangled and burnt my arm... And lastly don, whatever you do, feel if the tip is hot enough using your finger

There are no shortcuts worth trying.  Assemble everything you will need.  Obtain a good mechanical connection. ALWAYS try to have good ventilation

This applies to those new to soldering . Best tip I got from the Electrical Engineers I worked with when I started playing with electronics was to get an old board and learn how to properly desolder and  then resolder the components. You can take it slow and learn from your mistakes without wasting components.

do You mean sandpaper? I was told to never do it because it destroys tip's coating, exposing copper core that is then quickly eaten up during soldering...

I clean  the tip of my soldering iron with a paper like a saw