WHAT IS SOLDERING?
Soldering is a process in which two or more items are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Unlike welding, soldering does not involve melting the work pieces. In brazing, the work piece metal also does not melt, but the filler metal is one that melts at a higher temperature than in soldering. In the past, nearly all solders contained lead, but environmental and health concerns have increasingly dictated use of lead free alloys for electronics and plumbing purposes.
Soldering Tools
Soldering ironA soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering. It supplies heat to melt solder so that it can flow into the joint between two work pieces.
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SolderSolder is a fusible metal alloy used to create a permanent bond between metal work pieces.
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SpongeA sponge will help to keep the soldering iron tip clean by removing the oxidation that forms. Tips with oxidation will tend to turn black and not accept solder as it did when it was new.
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Solder SuckerA desoldering pump, colloquially known as a solder sucker, is a manually-operated device which is used to remove solder from a printed circuit board.
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Helping HandA helping hand is a device which is used to hold the circuit board or the wires for more precised soldering.
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PliersPliers are used to cut wires to make easier and cleaner solders.
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Preparation
- Place the soldering iron in its stand and plug it in.
- Wait for the soldering iron to heat up.
- Moisten the sponge.
- Wipe the tip of the iron on the damp sponge. This will clean the tip.
- Melt a little solder on the tip of the iron.
- This is called tinning and it will help the heat flow from the iron's tip to the joint.
- The solder should flow onto the tip, producing a bright shiny surface.
- If the solder will not flow onto the tip, clean it by wiping it on the wet sponge.
- When tinned, wipe excess solder off on the wet sponge.
- You do not need to tin the tip before every joint, but you should re-tin it if it has gone dull when the soldering iron has not been used for a few minutes.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions related to tinning the tip.
- The tip of the soldering iron should be a shiny silver color. If it is black and pitted, replace it with a new one.
How to prepare soldering
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Soldering Station Maintenance
Soldering iron
Desoldering Pump
- One of the most important tips when it comes to soldering is to make sure to use quality solder. Poor quality solder will have impurities which can build up on the tip of the soldering iron over time. As solder builds up on the tip it can become more difficult to transfer heat, making the solder joints weaker.
- Always remember to keep the soldering tip clean by wiping it with a wet sponge. However, you do not want to do this too often, or the tip may experience failure. Wiping the tip causes the temperature of the tip to increase and decrease drastically, which expands and contracts the metals in the tool.
- Try to avoid exposing the tip of the soldering iron to flux, this can be corrosive and over time damage the soldering tip.
- Avoid using course materials, like sandpaper, to clean the soldering iron.
- When you have finished using your soldering station, make sure to clean the tip, and then flood the tip with clean, good quality solder. Wipe the tip once more and turn the machine off and unplug it, this will re-tin your tip which will protect it from corrosion.
- If you decide to replace the tip make sure the tip is securely seated in the barrel.
Desoldering Pump
- Push the plunger down hard to displace the tip (unless it unscrews). pull the tip and attached cap off and clean out the accumulated crud. Check the bore of the tip for solder.
- Some solder suckers work better and longer than others. In most cases, you will need some braid to wick up remaining solder to completely free the component.
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