How to choose a soldering iron for soldering circuit boards

How to choose a soldering iron for soldering radio components and microcircuits

Choosing a soldering iron for radio amateurs is a very important point, since it is a key device for every radio amateur. However, all soldering irons or soldering stations have differences and are selected by radio amateurs individually, depending on the type of intended work and personal preferences. We also recommend reading the article about soldering basics.

Soldering iron designs

By design they are:

• Traditional (straight rod design).
• Guns (design of a soldering iron in the shape of a gun on which the working part is located at an angle).
• Soldering stations (complex equipment with a working part and a control unit).

How to choose a soldering iron for soldering microcircuits

Before choosing a soldering iron, let's figure out what they are.

Gas ones are more often used for soldering during installation work, for example, soldering in distribution boxes. They are convenient because they can work autonomously, but during operation they emit harmful substances and working with them for a long time is harmful to the health of both you and others. But for soldering microcircuits or other radio components, it would not be wise to choose such a soldering iron. It is extremely difficult to solder any board with it.

Electric ones, in turn, are the most common. Depending on the type of heater they are divided into:

• Spiral (nichrome)
• Ceramic
• Pulse
• Induction

Spiral is the most common of all electric heaters. The spiral heater provides reliable and durable operation at an inexpensive price, but has one drawback - a long heating time.

Ceramic is more expensive and quite fragile, however, it needs less time to heat up.

Pulse, with its rather high price, will be the best option. It heats up quickly and will not become unusable from a small impact.

If you are going to take up soldering seriously, and the range of proposed work will increase, pay attention to soldering stations. Induction heats up due to the inductor coil. This soldering iron does not need a thermostat, but you will have to select the desired temperature by searching through the set of tips.

Selecting the power of the soldering iron

There are soldering irons of different capacities:

• Low-power (from 3 to 10 W.)
• Medium power (20-40 W)
• High power (60-100 W)
• Industrial (more than 100 W)

Depending on the power, the purpose of the soldering iron changes. Soldering irons with a power of more than 100 W are used for soldering large metal products such as radiators, pots, and pipes. Soldering irons with a power of 60-100 W are designed for soldering really thick wires.

Soldering irons up to 10 W are designed mainly for soldering simple microcircuits, SMD elements and other miniature radio components.

So, answering the question of how to choose a soldering iron for soldering radio components and microcircuits, a good option would be to choose a low-power soldering iron to avoid overheating of miniature radio components and SMD elements. However, if you are an experienced radio installer, the best option would be a 20-40 W pulse soldering iron, which in skillful hands can be used for quick work with miniature radio components and other work around the house.

Soldering iron for microcircuits: how to choose a tip?

Of course, an important factor when choosing any soldering iron is the tip. However, the choice of sting is purely an individual preference. Choose depending on which tip you are comfortable working with; there are only a few recommendations for choosing. It is not recommended to use a tip larger than 3 mm. It is advisable to use a copper tip, as it is easy to clean and process.

The copper tip with a layer of aluminum is not processed, but is slightly subject to burning. There are both regular and heat-resistant stings. Heat-resistant ones can more easily withstand long-term work and exposure to high temperatures. If you are a beginner, then a straight sting is the best option.

Moreover, an advantage to the soldering iron will be a set of tips of different shapes, the ability to replace the tip and adjust its length.

A good soldering iron for microcircuits should have a flexible power cord and double insulation. Also pay attention to the handle. It must be well protected from possible overheating, therefore, unlike ebonite and plastic, wooden handles are recommended.

They are less susceptible to heating, unlike plastic ones, and lighter than ebonite ones, that is, they are more suitable for long-term work. Also an important indicator will be the function of constant temperature support and a thermostat, so as not to burn out the components when soldering.

Soldering iron equipment will make the work and maintenance of the soldering iron easier: a soldering iron stand, a sponge for cleaning the tip.

conclusions

If you have not decided which soldering iron to buy for soldering microcircuits, to summarize, we will emphasize the main recommendations and requirements so that you understand which soldering iron is better for soldering microcircuits and other components when looking at stands and shop windows for radio amateurs.

For inexperienced radio amateurs, it is advisable to use low-power soldering irons from 3 to 10 W. It is possible to use soldering irons with average power of 20-40 W to work with microcircuits and radio components, but there is a high probability of damaging the component during installation or dismantling. The wire must be flexible, long and double insulated. The tip is selected individually depending on preferences and type of work.

It is advisable to buy a soldering iron with a wooden handle. The type of soldering iron heater depends on the funds allocated for the purchase and the type of intended work.

It is desirable that the purchased soldering iron has a function of constant temperature control, a temperature regulator, a set of tips, an adjustment of the length of the tip, the ability to replace the tip and an addition, such as a stand for the soldering iron, a storage case, a cleaning sponge, etc.

You can buy a soldering iron on the well-known site - Aliexpress; we have made a selection of popular models in a separate article.

Source: https://www.radioingener.ru/kak-vybrat-payalnik-dlya-pajki-radiodetalej-i-mikrosxem/

How to choose a soldering iron: tips for beginners

Since ancient times, every family has considered it a rule for a good owner to have a powerful soldering iron. It was commonly used for tin-plating and repairing leaky pots and kettles, which at that time were made of thin black metal with an enamel coating.

More advanced users used a soldering iron to solder wires - it was often useful for repairing irons and other household appliances where connections were made using solder.

Of course, replacing radio components in household appliances and radio electronics could not be done without a soldering iron.

A household electric soldering iron is a truly irreplaceable thing in modern life - even very inexperienced people can use it, the main thing is not to get burned with it. But how to choose a soldering iron that is suitable for specific tasks? After all, quite a lot of models have appeared on the market, and which one is the most reliable and convenient, and even inexpensive, is difficult to understand. Below we will tell you how to choose the right soldering iron.

What can a soldering iron be useful for?

There are many areas of application for this high-tech device. Here is a partial list of tasks, in which you will probably find your own recurring problems.

• Soldering wires and repairing electrical extension cords;
• Soldering and replacement of radio components in household appliances;
• Repair of lamps and LED lamps;
• Repair of thin-walled metal pipe connections;
• Repair of leaky metal tanks and containers;
• Quickly burns holes in plastic;
• Cutting off excess parts in plastic parts and housings;
• And so on.

As can be seen from this list, there is always a use for a soldering iron, as long as your hands are fairly straight. And in some cases, the simplest and most inexpensive soldering iron will do, as long as the power is sufficient, for example, 60 W. It is perfect for soldering wires.

But for “electronic” tasks it is better not to overdo it with power, because The tracks on the boards do not like too high temperatures and easily peel off, and the radio components themselves fail. Below we will tell you which soldering iron to choose for soldering radio components.

When choosing a soldering iron, you should decide for what purpose you need this electric tool.

Capacities and tasks

• Soldering iron for microcircuits - power 10-20 W
• Soldering iron for radio components - power 30-40 W
• Universal soldering iron - 60 W
• Soldering iron for thick wires and large parts - 80-100 W

You can also find more powerful soldering irons on sale - from 100 W, which are used for rough repairs of cabinet structures in outdoor conditions. But for these purposes, in our opinion, it is better to use a special hair dryer or blowtorch.

When answering the question of which soldering iron to choose for microcircuits, we immediately emphasize that the main difficulty in this matter is the simultaneous melting of the soldering points of all the legs of the microcircuit. Therefore, specifically for microcircuits (memory chips, controllers, etc.)

) you need to carefully use either a soldering gun or a soldering iron to melt the place of each contact and use a special tool (either a copper wire braid or a tin pump) to select the tin from it.

A soldering iron with a power of 20-30 W is suitable for these purposes.

Types of soldering irons

According to the heating method, soldering irons are divided into two types: spiral and ceramic. Spiral ones are less demanding to use, heat up slowly and eventually fail.

Ceramic ones heat up quickly, are more stable in heating temperature, but require careful use.

An important detail - the soldering iron tip

The quality of soldering and comfort in use highly depend on the tip used in the soldering iron. A tip made of a copper rod conducts heat well and solder sticks to it well. But when heated, such a tip is constantly covered with oxides and charred, as a result of which it requires constant cleaning.

Another type of tip is a metal rod with a nickel coating. It is characterized by the absence of unpleasant scale formation and is convenient for jewelry work with small parts. But it cannot be cleaned, because... this may result in the coating being stripped and the solder losing its adhesion properties.

Most modern soldering irons have a sharp cone-shaped tip. It allows you to get to the leg of the radio component and process it without the risk of touching an adjacent wire.

Soldering iron kits can also come with flat-tipped tips. This shape better transfers heat to the massive part and allows it to be heated and desoldered faster or, conversely, soldered.

Soldering irons with temperature control

A radio amateur's dream is a soldering station with adjustable tip heating temperature. However, at present, elegant soldering irons without a powerful transformer are also sold, where there is a convenient digital adjustment of the heating temperature in steps of 50 degrees.

They are not expensive - about 1000 rubles, but the comfort from their use is much greater. It is impossible to achieve accurate indicators with it, so experts recommend saving up a soldering station (about 2000 rubles) for working with radio components.

A few words about flux

For soldering, you cannot do without special chemicals designed to remove oxide films from the surface of the wire or leg of the part and allow the solder to spread evenly over them. Rosin is the cheapest and most versatile type of solid flux, which every radio amateur must have in his arsenal. It protects the surface from oxides and prevents corrosion.

But liquid flux is much more convenient - LTI 120. It is neutral, does not contain acids and does not corrode metal. The basis of its composition is rosin dissolved in alcohol.

You can also find solder on sale in the form of a thin wire wound on a reel, it is called POS-61.

In the center of such solder there is flux, which, when melted with a soldering iron, is immediately applied to the part.

Also, for reliable soldering, active fluxes - soldering acid - are used. As a rule, this is hydrochloric acid, which after soldering must be neutralized by wiping with alcohol (or a soda solution).

To prevent the metal from corroding after soldering, phosphoric acid is also used, which does not require neutralization and does not cause corrosion.

Source: https://ichip.ru/sovety/pokupka/kak-vybrat-payalnik-sovety-dlya-novichkov-597882

How to choose a soldering iron

In the arsenal of almost any craftsman you can find a soldering iron. It is used in the repair of a wide variety of electrical equipment. A fairly common question is how to choose a soldering iron. There are a variety of designs available on sale, which are characterized by a specific area of ​​application and ease of use. Let's consider the main selection criteria in more detail.

How to choose a soldering iron

Description of the device

Before considering the question of which soldering iron to choose for your home, you need to pay attention to the design features of the tool. Almost all of them are represented by a classic design, which has the following elements:

1. Heater. Soldering of materials is carried out using high heat. A high temperature is required to melt metal. When choosing, attention is paid to this parameter.
2. The tip or rod acts as the main working element. It is designed to transfer heat and distribute the alloy used.
3. The holder or handle should be comfortable. It can have a wide variety of shapes and be made using different materials.
4. To transmit electricity there is an electrical cable with a standard household plug.

Soldering iron device

After connecting the device to the household network, the heating element transfers heat to the rod, which is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity.

To work with most metals, the rod is heated to a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius, after which the solder can be distributed over the surface. Liquid solder floats into various gaps, thereby ensuring a reliable connection.

You can choose a soldering iron taking into account various criteria, which we will discuss in more detail later.

Main selection criteria

The choice of soldering iron is carried out taking into account some of its features. Examples include the following:

1. Power.
2. Type of heater used.
3. Additional functions.
4. Dimensions.
5. Brand popularity.

You can determine which soldering iron to choose for soldering circuit boards, taking into account the characteristics of the soldering being carried out. For example, there are special models of soldering irons that have a small tip. Due to this, it is possible to carry out delicate work with fragile materials and power sources.

Soldering iron with a small tip

Power

When making a choice, you need to pay most attention to power. When considering this indicator it is worth considering:

1. When working with the simplest microcircuits, a device with a power of up to 10 W is selected. Such a power of a soldering iron will not be enough for soldering wires, but it will be convenient to solder with microcircuits.
2. Soldering iron power from 20 to 40 W is a universal option, suitable for solving everyday problems. When choosing, take into account the presence of a function that is responsible for adjusting the degree of heating.
3. To solder wires, a device with a power of about 60-100 W is required. You need to choose such a tool if you often solder materials with metal cores of various types.

For amateur work, it is not recommended to choose soldering iron models with a power higher than 100 W. They are used only for working with radiators and are characterized by high cost and difficulty in operation.

Heating element type

When choosing a soldering iron for your home, you should take into account that all such devices are divided into two large groups: electric and gas.

Electric soldering ironGas soldering iron

If an option is required for soldering distribution box wires, then it is recommended to pay attention to gas models. They are convenient due to their high autonomy, since electricity is not required to power the device. There is also a mode that allows you to use the device as a hair dryer for thermal shrinkage.

However, gas appliances cannot be used to work with electrical microcircuits. At the time of soldering, combustion of gas may produce harmful substances.

Electrical devices heat up quickly and can only be used when electricity is available. All of them are divided into several groups according to the type of heating element:

1. Spiral ones are the most widely used, they are inexpensive, practical to use and can last for a long period. The main disadvantage is that it takes too long to heat up. Suitable for home use due to its low cost. When choosing it, you need to take into account the dimensions.
2. Ceramic ones are made using expensive and fragile material. Design features ensure rapid heating, but even with a slight impact the structure can fail. When choosing, you should take into account the short service life.
3. Pulse ones are characterized by the fact that they can heat up at high speed. It is recommended to choose a similar soldering iron for cases where you need to act accurately and accurately. The complexity of the design determines its higher cost.

Soldering iron with spiral type heating elementCeramic soldering ironPulse soldering iron

Recently, there are a large number of different soldering stations on sale. They are also characterized by versatility and practicality, some of the functions considered.

When choosing a soldering iron, attention is also paid to additional functions, which may differ significantly. You can select a suitable model by taking into account the following points:

1. The handle must have good protection against overheating. As a rule, wood versions are characterized by higher performance; plastic heats up much faster. In the manufacture of this element, ebonite, which is characterized by high weight, can be used.
2. It is recommended to purchase devices with copper tips, as they are the easiest to clean from carbon deposits. There are versions on sale with replaceable tips, which can have different shapes. For beginners, it is easiest to work with a straight tip shape.
3. The cord must be flexible with increased insulation, which provides the required protection of the cores from mechanical damage.
4. When choosing, attention is paid to ensuring that the fork design is collapsible. This is due to the fact that during maintenance it is possible to disassemble the structure and replace damaged elements.
5. High-quality products are supplied with a special case, as well as a stand for the tip and a special sponge for cleaning the working tip.
6. Recently, soldering irons with a thermal regulator have often been chosen. Their scope of application is very wide, since the temperature can be adjusted depending on the characteristics of the work being done.

Soldering iron heating control device

Options with a protective mechanism that can eliminate the possibility of overheating of the structure are very popular. Due to this additional function, a long service life of the device is ensured.

The best soldering iron does not always have a lot of additional features. You can also select specific types of designs designed to work with electronics and radio equipment.

Useful tips for choosing a soldering iron

When considering the common question of how to choose the right soldering irons, you can pay attention to some recommendations.

Useful tips are as follows:

1. For soldering metal products, a device with a power of 100 W is selected.
2. For small chips, choose a 30 W device.
3. Beginners can choose the 60W model.
4. The sting can have a variety of shapes. The most common models are those with a tip in the form of a cone and a needle, a wedge and a rod with a beveled edge. If soldering is carried out frequently, then you can choose a model with replaceable tips, as it is characterized by high functionality. However, such kits are somewhat more expensive than conventional tools.
5. The tip is often made of copper, but such material can be coated with various compositions to increase thermal conductivity and some other qualities. Options with a copper tip and nickel or aluminum coating are chosen extremely often today.

If work is carried out far from a power source, then you need to pay attention to wireless models. They can be powered by a built-in battery or small batteries. However, the autonomous power source determines the low heating rate of the working part.

Source: https://stankiexpert.ru/spravochnik/svarka/kak-vybrat-payalnik.html

Selection of a soldering iron and other accessories for soldering radio components

When working with radio components - resistors, capacitors, diodes, various indicators, coils and many, many others - the main attention should be paid to the correct choice of a soldering iron suitable for a particular set of electronic parts and radio wiring.

The selection of a specific type of soldering device and other necessary soldering accessories is ultimately determined by the size and permissible thermal conditions of the radio components soldered into the board.

Selection of soldering irons for radio components

Before purchasing a soldering iron for radio components that is suitable for most cases, you need to familiarize yourself with the known types of these heating devices and the basic rules for choosing them based on power.

According to power indicator

Soldering radio components is a technological process in which standard electric soldering irons operating on a 220-volt power supply can be used. They are also used when it is necessary to connect not too thick bare copper conductors. The main operating parameter, in accordance with which soldering irons for radio components are selected, is their power, the values ​​of which can range from 24 to 500 Watts.

For soldering microcircuits and other miniature parts from a radio kit, it is recommended to limit yourself to the minimum power of a network soldering iron up to 24 watts.

Another important parameter that you should focus on when choosing a device connected through a step-down transformer is the voltage in the secondary winding, which supplies it with power.

In accordance with this indicator, all known types of soldering devices are divided into the following groups:

• USB soldering irons designed for a voltage of 5 Volts (8 Watts) and used for soldering small radioelements, microprocessors and similar chips;
• miniature products powered by a secondary winding with voltages of 12, 24 and 36 Volts. These soldering devices are intended for working with radio components in dangerous and especially dangerous conditions, where a voltage of 220 Volts is unacceptable due to safety regulations;
• standard 220 Volt soldering irons included in the stations and connected via a transformer to ensure electrical isolation.

The difference between these products in terms of supply voltage ultimately comes down to the selection of the same power sufficient to perform soldering work of a certain category. So, for soldering BGA and SMD type components, you should choose either USB soldering irons or product samples powered by a 12 Volt transformer. This list should include hot air guns for soldering radio components, which are specially designed for power and do not cause any harm to the radio components themselves.

In the case of soldering electronic circuit boards, infrared soldering stations and special heated soldering tables are used.

By type of heating element

In accordance with GOST, all known types of soldering devices according to the method of heating the working tip used in them are divided into the following categories:

• spiral (heating in them is carried out using a nichrome wire);
• ceramic soldering irons with a heated surface layer (without wire);
• soldering devices operating on the principle of pulsed heating;
• samples of soldering irons equipped with a special inductor.

Spiral systems are the most common type of electric heater; they provide the optimal balance in terms of price and quality. However, they are not without one very significant drawback, which is the low heating rate of the legs of the radio components.

In contrast, ceramic products are relatively more expensive and quite fragile, but at the same time they provide fairly rapid heating of a thin copper rod, and are excellent for soldering many types of radio components.

The pulsed method of powering the heating element, while being relatively expensive, is the optimal solution when it is necessary to choose a suitable option. This switching method ensures that the soldering iron quickly enters operating mode and is well protected from any mechanical influences.

Choosing the right tip

One of the most important factors that must be taken into account when choosing any soldering iron is its working tip. With all the variety of possible shapes and sizes of this element, its choice is largely determined by the individual preferences of the user.

If we do not take this factor into account, then for soldering radio components it is recommended to use a tip with the following characteristics:

1. The length of the heater rod should not be more than 3 millimeters.
2. As a starting material for its manufacture, preference should be given to pure copper.
3. The best option when choosing a tip is a copper base coated with a layer of aluminum, which does not require tinning and is practically not subject to burning.

In addition to the presented parameters of soldering rods, they may differ in their heat resistance. The most resistant of them are able to work for a long time under high-temperature heating conditions. The shape of the tip can be straight or curved, and its shape affects the ease of working with the soldering iron.

The most convenient option when selecting this element is to have a set of rods of various shapes, which are replaceable and can be adjusted in length. One of the rather important factors is the presence in the soldering station of a function to maintain the temperature level (thermostat), which stabilizes the heat of the tip in various operating modes.

A convenient and practical stand, as well as the presence of additional accessories, such as a soft cloth and a special needle file for cleaning the tip, will significantly simplify the work with the soldering device.

Selection of solder and flux

When working with radio components, it is important to choose suitable solder and flux for soldering, the use of which allows you to obtain a reliable and durable contact connection. It should be noted that when soldering SMD components mounted on a board and when reballing, special pastes are used that combine the properties of flux and solder. You also need a stencil that allows you to correctly apply this paste to the board.

Solder

When soldering radio components, a conventional (low-temperature) alloy can be used as solder, which turns into a liquid state already at a temperature of 200 degrees. The most common example of this type of alloy is solder under the designation POS-61, which contains 60 percent tin and the rest is lead. Its melting point ranges from 183 to 230 degrees.

POS-61 goes on sale in the form of thin wire, which is wound on a special reel.

For soldering small parts, it is more convenient to use thinner wire, which can be easily dosed; Moreover, the imported version is of the highest quality. Standard reel-to-reel products costing from 150 to 200 rubles fit this category. Such a typical coil of solder may well last for a year and a half (if used sparingly).

It is useful to stock up on a small amount of the so-called “Rose alloy”, the melting point of which is very low (not higher than 90-100 degrees). This alloy can be useful when dismantling radio components soldered into any modern boards.

Fluxes

When soldering, due to thermal heating, the legs of the parts oxidize, after which the solder is unable to completely wet their surfaces. To eliminate this harmful phenomenon, fluxes should be used that can dissolve the oxide film formed on them and improve the quality of soldering. This effect is widely used in such a common procedure as tinning. Fluxes are produced in a wide range, their choice depends on the metal being soldered.

When soldering radio components, rosin is often used, which is an ordinary purified resin. During soldering, first pry a small portion of solder onto the tip, after which it is dipped in rosin and immediately proceed directly to soldering (without waiting for it to evaporate). If you master the technique, you will be able to perform soldering work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/platy/pajka-radiodetalej

Which soldering iron to choose for soldering circuit boards - Metalworker's Guide

When working with radio components - resistors, capacitors, diodes, various indicators, coils and many, many others - the main attention should be paid to the correct choice of a soldering iron suitable for a particular set of electronic parts and radio wiring.

The selection of a specific type of soldering device and other necessary soldering accessories is ultimately determined by the size and permissible thermal conditions of the radio components soldered into the board.

Notes from a master. Choosing a soldering iron - android.mobile-review.com

Hello.

Recently, in the comments to one of the articles, I was asked to recommend a soldering iron for a novice craftsman, which can be used to repair electronics at home. In response to this, the idea for this article appeared. Since repairs for me are not a professional activity, but only a hobby, the information presented below will be my subjective opinion, with which you may not agree.

So, depending on the purpose, soldering irons have different characteristics, which means that before going to the store, you need to understand why you need it and how much money you are willing to spend on it.

The ideal option would be to buy a soldering station, however, for a novice master who will solder something only occasionally, there is no point in spending extra money. If you plan to seriously engage in soldering, then the surest option is a soldering station.

But today is not about that, today is about soldering irons.

Soldering irons can be divided according to the following parameters:

Operating principle

On sale you can find two types of soldering irons, differing in their operating principle.

1. Electric soldering irons with a spiral heater are the most common and affordable soldering irons. It is based on a heating element in the form of a spiral made of nichrome wire. There are also ceramic ones, which have a ceramic rod instead of a spiral, but they are more expensive and less common. And even if you find one, most likely it will be a regular spiral one, in which the spiral will be wrapped in ceramics.
2. Pulse soldering irons - most often have the form of a pistol, and the heating is turned on after pressing a special button. The advantage is very fast heating, literally in seconds. However, such soldering irons are dangerous for sensitive electronics due to the presence of high-frequency voltage on the tip. And their cost is high.
3. Induction soldering irons are essentially a soldering station. Heating is carried out using an inductor coil. The advantage is that the soldering iron is protected from overheating - when the core reaches a certain temperature (Curie point), the ferromagnetic coating of the core loses its magnetic properties and heating of the core stops. Upon cooling, the ferromagnetic properties are restored and heating resumes. Such soldering irons are significantly more expensive than their spiral and pulse counterparts.

There are other types, for example, gas, but they also have their own “buts” that make this type either too expensive or inconvenient for the home.

Thus, we will focus on the classic spiral type. As they say, cheap and cheerful.

Voltage

The most common option, and the most convenient for a novice master, is the standard 220 Volt (V) for a Russian outlet. Yes, there are soldering irons for 36, 12 and even 6V networks, but they require additional equipment - a transformer. We don’t need these complications, so we’ll focus on the most common option – 220V.

Size

Everything is simple here - the smaller the work you plan to do, the smaller the soldering iron you need. I advise you to have two soldering irons in your arsenal, one small, for soldering microcircuits and small parts, the other medium-sized, for working with wires or large parts.

The size of a small soldering iron usually does not exceed 20 cm, and a medium one will be 30-35 cm in length.

Pay special attention to the soldering iron tip - it comes in different shapes (profiles) and materials.

For a small soldering iron, the most convenient tip will be in the shape of a needle.

For medium, choose according to your taste, either a round or flat tip. Also pay attention to the length of the tip - do not take it too short, otherwise there is a risk of not reaching the soldering point, or the casing will melt the wrong places.

Body material (handle)

Everything is simple here:

Soldering iron handles are made from a variety of different materials, the most common of which are plastic, wood, ebonite, carbolite, and textolite.

Many people advise choosing wooden handles because of their low thermal conductivity and lightness. I think I agree with this opinion. However, I also had the most inexpensive soldering irons with plastic handles. And nothing bad happened. But what I definitely wouldn’t recommend are handles made of carbolite and textolite - not only are they heavy, they also get hot.

Tip material

Most often, a copper tip is used for household soldering irons.

The advantages of a copper tip include ease of tinning, quick heating, ease of straightening and cleaning from carbon deposits.

Among the disadvantages of a copper tip, one can note the very fact that it is necessary to straighten the tip due to the fact that during operation the surface of the tip oxidizes, burns out and becomes covered with cavities. You have to take a file and grind down the damaged surface.

Another type of tip is the so-called “eternal” tip, coated with nickel or chromium. Such a tip does not fade, which means it does not require editing.

However, like everything, such a sting has disadvantages, including a separate tinning procedure, similar to a ritual, as well as sensitivity to overheating and mechanical damage. If such a tip is overheated, it will stop capturing solder, which means you will have to tin it again. Such a tip is not only unnecessary, but cannot even be adjusted - the protective layer is quite thin, and if it is damaged, the tip will very quickly burn out and fail.

Conclusion

Here, perhaps, are all the recommendations for choosing. As for specific manufacturers, I could, with my nose in the air, name you some “Weller” for 6,000 rubles, saying that the Germans are what you need. But, I will say this - for occasional use at home, an ordinary Chinese “Ya Xun” for 180-250 rubles is also suitable, which will serve you no worse than a tool from a famous German manufacturer.

Source: http://android.mobile-review.com/articles/57681/

Electric soldering iron for microcircuits: how to choose

An electric soldering iron for microcircuits and radio components is the main tool that is used for soldering by both professional circuit designers and radio amateurs. The main characteristic of soldering irons is power; depending on it, they are conventionally divided into the following types:

• low-power professional soldering iron with an operating range from 3 to 10 W, used for soldering, desoldering (disassembling) planar microcircuits, SMD elements and other miniature radio components;

Low voltage 8 watt soldering iron model ZD-20

• Medium power devices (from 20 to 40 W) are widely used by radio amateurs. You can desolder, unsolder or solder microcircuits or SMD elements with such a soldering iron, but you should not do this, since they may fail due to overheating;

A typical amateur radio instrument is the ZD-200C 25W model.

• electric soldering irons with a power of 60 to 100 W, they are used to unsolder cable wires;

100 Watt model from the manufacturer TLW

• heavy-duty devices (from 100 to 250W) are used to repair large metal structures, such as radiators or pots.

How to choose

Obviously, it is necessary to select a tool taking into account the tasks that will be presented to it. Buying a small, low-power soldering iron, which is designed for soldering microcircuits, and using it to repair a radiator will not be entirely correct. He simply cannot cope with this task.

Accordingly, when you need to desolder microcircuits, you can choose a heavy-duty soldering iron for this, but the radioelements will not work after that. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to ensuring that the power meets the assigned tasks.

Soldering Equipment Review

When we have decided on the power of the device, we move on to choosing its type. The most common of them are pulse and rod type. Each of these designs has its own characteristic features, expressed in certain advantages and disadvantages.

Pulse type devices

The main advantages are instant heating, compact size, affordable price.

Considering that the tip of this soldering iron is the secondary winding of the transformer, it is not recommended to use it for soldering MOS microcircuits, as well as elements critical to static charge.

Pulse soldering iron

Rod type devices

Rod devices differ according to the type of heating element:

• a heating element that uses nichrome wire;

Nichrome heating element

• ceramic heater, it significantly exceeds nichrome analogues in heating speed and the range in which power and temperature are regulated. The only drawback is that the heating element is quite fragile; dropping the device almost always damages it;

Ceramic heating elements

• induction heater, its operating principle is as follows: the tip, coated with a ferromagnetic layer, is heated using an inductive coil. Having reached a certain temperature (Curie point), the properties of the coating change, which stops the heating process. As the temperature decreases, the process repeats.

Thanks to this principle, it is possible to automatically maintain the required temperature without special equipment.

Disassembled induction soldering iron

The picture shows:

• A – sting;
• B – inductor (induction cartridge);
• C – body.

It is difficult to say which of the rewritten types of soldering irons is the best, since each of them is designed to perform specific tasks. As already mentioned, you need to be guided by the power of the device, in addition to paying attention to how convenient it is to use.

Standalone devices

In addition to the types listed above, mention should be made of autonomous type devices, that is, those that can operate without being connected to an electrical outlet, these include:

• a gas soldering iron in which the tip is heated by the flame generated by the combustion of gas. In essence, this is an ordinary gas burner, which uses nozzles for soldering;

Gas type soldering device

• battery-powered soldering irons;

Mini soldering iron with independent power supply

Soldering stations

It is much more convenient to solder microcircuits from a board with a soldering iron using a soldering station; for example, without it, it is almost impossible to replace a video chip in a BGA housing with your own hands. The advantages of using this device are so obvious that it is easy to list them:

• a wide range of tip temperature settings reduces the likelihood of element failure due to overheating;
• maintaining a certain temperature level extends the service life of the tip;
• each soldering station is necessarily equipped with a stand and a bath in which you can place a cleaning sponge;
• An air dryer greatly simplifies the desoldering of microcircuits with a soldering iron.

Soldering station photo

Soldering stations are considered professional equipment, and the criteria for their selection require a separate article. In everyday life, the use of such complex and expensive electronic devices is impractical; it is better to use power regulators, which are easy to make yourself.

Power regulator circuits.

The figure shows the circuit diagram of a simple power regulator.

Scheme: homemade power regulator using a thyristor

Symbols on the diagram:

• X1,X2 – connectors for connecting a soldering iron;
• VD1-1N4007, you can install any analogue designed to operate with a voltage from 300 to 600 Volts and a current of at least 1A;
• VD2 – installation of any thyristors with an allowable forward voltage of 300V or more is allowed, for example, KU201L, KU202N, etc.;
• C1 – electrolytic type capacitor with a nominal value of 4.7 µF 100V;
• R1 – variable resistance from 30 to 47 kOhm;
• R2 – 30 kOhm resistor.

This circuit allows you to smoothly adjust the power in the range from 50 to 100%.

The only drawback of this power regulator is that during operation it causes interference in the electrical network. To avoid this, you can install ferrite rings on the cable or assemble another circuit that does not create interference.

Temperature controller circuit using triggers

Designations:

• X1,X2 – connectors to which the electric soldering iron is connected;
• VD1-VD4 – Diodes KD209, you can use analogues with a reverse voltage of 300V and a current of 1A;
• VD5 – KD521;
• VD6 – KS191;
• C1 – electrolytic type capacitor 100uF 25V;
• C2 – 0.033 µF;
• C3 – 1uF;
• R1 – 120 kOhm;
• R2, R3, R4 – 12 kOhm;
• R5 -120kOhm;
• R6 – 1kOhm;
• DD1 – K176LA7;
• DD2 – K176TM2.

The above scheme is based on common parts, which significantly reduces its cost. With its help, you can use a soldering iron with a power of 40W to solder microcircuits without fear of overheating them.

For safety reasons, a homemade power regulator should be placed in a housing made of any insulating material.

Price overview

To summarize, let's consider the price level in various localities of the Russian Federation and the CIS for the 40-watt model of the ZD-200C soldering iron.

Locality	$	Locality	$
Moscow	6,00	St. Petersburg	6,00
Donetsk	6,50	Kazan	6,40
Minsk	6,20	Odessa	6,20
Kharkiv	6,10	Vladivostok	6,35

The table shows that the price of a soldering iron for microcircuits in Russia is practically no different from its cost in Minsk, Kharkov or Odessa.

Source: https://www.asutpp.ru/elektricheskij-payalnik-dlya-mikroshem.html

Soldering iron for soldering microcircuits

Soldering is an integral part of IC equipment repair and creation. This is a rather complex process that requires special equipment, since it involves working with fairly small parts.

A soldering iron for microcircuits is noticeably different from the one needed for soldering wires. Its dimensions are noticeably smaller than large models for ordinary operations, and the tip also has a fine sharpening.

There may be options with special types of sharpening, which are designed primarily for desoldering.

An electric soldering iron for microcircuits is a necessary tool for a repairman and radio equipment enthusiast. Models can be in different price segments with different characteristics. In any case, it will be a hand tool that will allow you to apply a thin layer of solder and heat the parts to solder and desolder them from the circuit. Many varieties are narrow-profile and intended for one type of work.

Soldering microcircuits with a soldering iron

Features of soldering irons for microcircuits

One of the main features of such models is the shape of the tip. The tip is the main working tool. Depending on its shape and other features, you can understand exactly how the device will work and for what purposes it is intended. The shape is not the only parameter that makes an electronics soldering iron stand out from the rest.

Size becomes another factor that sets this type of device apart from the rest. A small soldering iron for microcircuits allows you to carry out basic operations for working with them, while large standard models are quite crude for such work. This also affects the power of the product.

For each type of work, the power must be appropriate so that it is enough to melt the contacts, but so that the soldering iron does not burn out anything.

Types of soldering irons for electronics

The main difference that helps separate electronics soldering irons into types is the type of heating element they use. Recently, production technology has made it possible to produce many varieties that differ from each other in characteristics.

Nichrome

The main heating element in such soldering irons is nichrome wire. The material conducts electrical impulses well, which allows the tip to be heated to the desired temperature quickly enough. Simple models have a spiral that is wound around a body that does not conduct electricity. To prevent the wire from losing heat, it is placed in insulators. Such models are most often used in household non-professional use.

Nichrome soldering iron

Flaws:

• A soldering iron for radio components with a nichrome heating element takes a long time to heat up;
• The spiral quickly burns out and has to be replaced.

Source: https://svarkaipayka.ru/oborudovanie/payalniki/dlya-payki-mikroshem.html

How to choose a soldering iron for soldering microcircuits?

Repairing electronics and household appliances requires the use of a special device such as a soldering iron for microcircuits. This device differs from its counterpart, which is designed for fastening wires. Nowadays you can find several varieties of such instruments on sale. They have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Features of a soldering iron for microcircuits

The main feature of such equipment is the shape of the soldering tip. Depending on the configuration of the tip, one can draw a conclusion about how the device works and what it is intended for.

In addition, the micro-soldering iron has miniature dimensions. Thanks to this, using such a device you can quickly and conveniently repair microcircuits. This also affects the power ratings of the soldering iron. For each type of work, you need to select the appropriate power of the heating element so that it is sufficient for soldering the contacts, and the device does not damage anything.

How is it different from others

An electric soldering iron designed for working with circuit boards must meet the specifics of such repairs. Soldering microcircuit parts requires maximum precision and care. It is important not to damage or overheat the material during operation. For these reasons, the unit used for micro-soldering differs from ordinary soldering irons in size, power and pointed tip shape.

Varieties

Devices for processing circuit boards differ from each other in the type of heating element. Based on this feature, micro-soldering irons are divided into the following types:

1. Nichrome . They use nichrome wire as a heating element. This material conducts electrical impulses well, ensuring quick and uniform heating of the tip. Budget models are equipped with a spiral wound around the body and non-conducting electrical energy. To retain heat with wire, it is placed in special insulators. Most often, nichrome models are used in everyday life. Soldering irons with nichrome wire are highly resistant to mechanical stress. However, in practice, the spiral often burns out and takes a long time to warm up.
2. Ceramic . This equipment uses ceramic rods connected to live contacts. As a result, the ceramics warms up to the optimal temperature. Ceramic soldering devices are thin and durable, they warm up quickly. Among the shortcomings, users highlight only the fragility of the material and the inability to replace a damaged tip. If the device breaks, you will have to spend money and buy a new one.
3. Induction . Their design includes a ferromagnetic coating that ensures the formation of a magnetic field at the tip. In addition, induction devices are equipped with an inductor coil. When the desired temperature is reached, the soldering iron will automatically turn off, and when the temperature drops, the device will start again. Induction models are an excellent choice because... They are easy to use, save energy and are equipped with automatic heating.
4. Pulse . These devices have a built-in frequency converter. After starting work, the frequency increases, but then it decreases to the optimal value. The tip of a pulse soldering iron is an element of an electrical circuit. It is connected to the current collectors. Heating of the device starts only when a special key is pressed. Such a device heats up instantly, but it cannot be used for long-term use (repair).

It is necessary to choose a soldering iron taking into account personal preferences, budget and tasks.

Tool requirements

The device for soldering boards should have a power of about 10 W. The smaller this characteristic, the less the risk of damaging radioelements. It is undesirable to use more powerful devices for processing microcircuits. Soldering irons for microcircuits can have a power of up to 35-40 W, but experts prefer to use 4 W devices, because This type of equipment is convenient for repairing small items.

The tip of the device must be easy to clean and have a high level of strength. If the tip is fragile, it will quickly become unusable. You should also pay attention to the presence of auxiliary options, keys for adjusting power and turning the device on/off, and special protective coatings.

What does the modern market offer?

Now on the market you can find a large number of models of soldering equipment for working with microcircuits. They differ in price, quality and reliability. Most popular devices:

1. Matrix 914044 . This device has a power of 40 W. It heats up to operating temperature in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. The tip of the device is cone-shaped, and its handle is made of high-quality plastic. The model is popular among home craftsmen. Professionals prefer options with lower power, because... It is necessary to work with a 40 W tool as carefully as possible so as not to damage the parts.
2. Rexant 120123 . This device also has a power of 40 W. It heats up in 10 minutes. The Rexant tip is made in the form of a cone, which is extremely convenient for soldering small elements. The handle of the device is made of plastic.
3. Rexant 120240 . This is an upgraded version of the Rexant 120123 soldering iron. It has the same power, but heats up faster (7 minutes). In addition, the tip of this device is not cone-shaped, but wedge-shaped; The handle is made of wood coated with a special coating.
4. Rexant ZD20U . This model is often chosen by professional craftsmen. Its power is 8 W, which allows you to safely and conveniently work with even the smallest parts of boards. The device has a record heating time of 0.25 minutes. The soldering iron tip is cone-shaped, and its handle is made of high-quality plastic.

Where can I buy

A soldering iron for working with microcircuits can be purchased both online and in a specialty store. You need to buy the device only from trusted sellers, otherwise you may encounter a low-quality fake.

Source: https://electrod.biz/oborudovanie/kak-vybrat-payalnik-dlya-pajki-mikroshem.html

How to choose a soldering iron once for many years

A soldering iron is almost the main tool for a radio amateur, and here you need to know which soldering iron is best suited for solving certain problems.

First, let's look at the types of soldering irons and their power, and then we'll talk about fluxes.

1. Types of soldering irons

Soldering irons come with a ceramic or spiral heater. The difference is that ceramics heats up much faster, but requires more careful use: a strong blow will cause such a soldering iron to fail. Spiral is not afraid of impacts, and it will last for many years.

When choosing a soldering iron, you need to pay attention to its power. It is necessary to take into account that if you are soldering microcircuits, then it is advisable to choose a soldering iron with a nominal value of 10-20. Soldering irons rated above 60 W are designed for soldering thick wires.

A soldering iron with low power simply will not be able to melt the solder, since the power will be dissipated over a large soldering area. For soldering large metal parts, there are soldering irons from 100 watts and above. The most optimal soldering iron for a beginner is 25-40 W.

This soldering iron is considered universal, and it can perform most tasks. Typically, radio amateurs have several soldering irons in their arsenal to cover a wide range of jobs.

2. Soldering iron tip

Pay attention to the soldering iron tip. It comes in copper or nickel plated. A copper tip is better suited for soldering, as copper has high thermal conductivity. It can be cleaned with sandpaper or a file, but such a tip burns very quickly.

Nickel is used in conjunction with a soldering iron, which has a temperature control, but its disadvantage is that the tip of this type cannot be cleaned with either a file or sandpaper.

After this treatment, the solder will no longer stick to the soldering iron. Quite a lot of people do not know about this feature of nickel tips, and after cleaning such a tip, soldering work turns into hell.

The tip is a replaceable element with various types of fastening. Some soldering irons have a cap that is screwed on to secure the tip, while others have the tip secured with a screw.

The sting has a different shape. The soldering iron is sold with a universal tip already installed. They can do most jobs. There are stings as thin as a needle. They are intended for jewelry work involving soldering SMD components and are not capable of performing other tasks. Wide tips are designed for quick heating of the entire part and convenient installation/disassembly of the component.

3. Temperature adjustment

There are soldering irons with manual temperature control on the handle itself. This is an excellent thing for a radio amateur, since without this function there is always a chance of accidentally burning or overheating one or another component.

If you overheat a radio component, it will lose its original properties and will work unstably, or even fail altogether. The tip of a soldering iron tends to burn out during prolonged use.

If your soldering iron does not have temperature control, be prepared to buy a new tip often. However, the disadvantages of such soldering irons include the inconvenient location of the handle adjustment and the not very reliable design.

In addition to the soldering iron, you can purchase a hot air soldering station. This is a powerful tool in the hands of a radio amateur. This tool is equipped with temperature settings accurate to one degree. The soldering station has a convenient stand.

Using such a device, you can solder not only small radio components, but also desolder entire microcircuits from boards using hot air. Soldering stations can significantly speed up your work. But to solder with such a station, experience is required.

For beginners, there is no need for a soldering station at first. A simple soldering iron is enough to learn soldering skills. But once you get comfortable and confidently hold a soldering iron in your hand, you can think about more expensive equipment.

5. Fluxes: the basis for soldering in radio electronics

As a rule, a radio amateur has many different chemicals in his arsenal, which allows him to create the highest quality and reliable solder.

Fluxes are special chemicals intended for radio installation. It allows you to remove oxide films and allows the solder to spread evenly. Fluxes are divided into several types: neutral, active and anti-corrosion.

Neutral are the most popular, simple and safe fluxes. They do not contain acids or other aggressive elements that cause corrosion of metals, and generally do not require rinsing.

Rosin, the cheapest type of flux, is a must-have for every radio amateur. It protects the surface from oxides and prevents corrosion. We can say that this is a universal type of flux.

LTI 120 is a liquid flux, classified as neutral. It contains no acids, which means it will not corrode metal. The basis of its composition is rosin dissolved in alcohol. LTI-120 is easy to use: you just need to apply a layer of flux to the surface to be soldered, and then solder the desired element to the board.

On sale you can also find gel fluxes based on rosin. They are very convenient for soldering when you only need to apply a small amount of flux to a specific area. Flux-Plus is the most common type of flux on the radio market.

Its cost is quite high - about 500 rubles , but to be honest, it fully justifies its price. If you repair cell phones and other microelectronics, then it will be indispensable in your work.

Typically, neutral fluxes do not require rinsing, however, many hams prefer to rinse off any flux after use.

5.2. Active fluxes

Active (also called acid) fluxes contain hydrochloric, phosphoric or citric acid. After using them, it is necessary to wash the part, since flux residues will cause corrosion and corrode the soldering. These fluxes mainly remove aggressive substances from soldered parts.

The most popular flux of this type is soldering acid. It can be used to solder, for example, nickel alloys.

F38N is used for soldering resistant corrosion steel, various copper alloys, bronze, nichrome and brass. Residues of F38N can be easily washed off with water.

5.3. Other types

There are also anti-corrosion fluxes consisting of phosphoric acid. They do not cause corrosion of ferrous metals, which means there is no need to remove flux residues after soldering.

For non-ferrous metals, rinsing with warm water is recommended. In addition to water, fluxes can be washed off with acetone, nephrase, ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. All of these products are suitable for cleaning printed circuit boards.

There are also solder pastes, which are a mixture of flux and solder. It happens that such pasta is made independently. You just need to use a file to make shavings from solder and mix it with liquid fluxes.

This paste can be applied to the part and then warmed up the soldering iron. It can be used when soldering surface-mounted installations or used in hard-to-reach places on the board.

Source: https://ArduinoPlus.ru/kak-vybrat-payalnik/

Choosing a soldering iron for soldering wires - what to look for?

You are here: One of the main tools for radio amateurs, DIYers and electricians is a soldering iron.

This product allows you to connect sections of LED strips, desolder radio components from boards, repair electrical appliances and do a bunch of other useful things.

Today there is a fairly large assortment of models, varying in functionality, operating principle and configuration. In this article we will tell readers of the Sam Electric website how to choose a soldering iron for soldering wires and microcircuits.

Heater type

First of all, devices are divided into electric and gas. First, let's talk about those that run on gas.

It is recommended to choose a gas soldering iron for soldering wires in junction boxes. It is convenient because it works offline, without electricity, which is important for electrical installation work. In addition, such a device can be used as a heat shrink hair dryer.

The disadvantages of gas devices include the difficulty of working with microcircuits, as well as the fact that when gas burns, substances harmful to the body are released into the atmosphere, so working with such a device for a long time is extremely dangerous to health.

It is advisable to choose an electric soldering iron for soldering microcircuits and the same wires, if there are no problems with the power supply. Electric models are divided into the following types:

1. Spiral. The cheapest, most practical and durable type of heater. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time to heat up, but this is not so important if you need to choose a soldering iron for your home.
2. Ceramic. More expensive and at the same time fragile (may stop working even with a slight impact). The advantage is that it heats up quickly. If your main goal is to choose a device that heats up quickly and strongly, a model with a ceramic heater will be the most optimal solution.
3. Pulse. Another design option that can heat up quickly. It is better to choose a pulse soldering iron for soldering microcircuits and for working with printed circuit boards. Such a tool will cost more and is used to a greater extent only for the listed works.

Separately, mention should be made of such an option as a soldering station. With its help, you can solder wires and microcircuits faster and better. For radio amateurs, choosing a soldering station will be the most optimal solution!

Additional features

Also, when choosing a soldering iron, you should pay attention to such points as:

1. The handle must be well protected from overheating. In this case, a wooden handle has the best performance. Plastic handles heat up faster, which interferes with smooth operation, and ebonite handles are heavier than their analogues, which also reduces ease of use, especially when soldering microcircuits.
2. The tip should be copper; it is easier to process and also easier to clean from carbon deposits. It is advisable that the kit includes a set of stings of different shapes. It is also good if it is possible to replace the tip or adjust its length. It is believed that a straight tip is the most convenient for work, especially for beginners.
3. The power cord must be flexible, long and always double insulated.
4. The plug for connecting to the network is better when it is dismountable. It seems like a small thing, but it still indicates the quality of the device and at the same time simplifies its repair.
5. Pay attention to the package. As a rule, high-quality soldering irons are supplied with a case, a stand for the tip, a sponge for cleaning the tip, etc.
6. We recommend choosing a soldering iron with a thermostat, which will allow you to adjust the heating temperature of the tip to suit your own conditions of use.
7. The constant temperature support function will protect the device from burnout.

That's all the advice we wanted to give you. As you can see, there are many nuances that you need to pay attention to when choosing a soldering iron for your home.

Let's sum it up

So, you have studied the main criteria by which you select a tool for soldering wires and microcircuits. Now let’s briefly summarize once again to consolidate what we have learned:

1. For printed circuit boards and microcircuits, it is better to choose a pulse or spiral soldering iron, but with a power of no more than 30 W.
2. For connecting wires and other electrical work, a gas or electric model with a power of 60 to 100 W is suitable.
3. To solder metal parts you need a powerful device (100 W or more).

We also recommend watching a useful video on the topic:

So we figured out how to choose a soldering iron for soldering wires and microcircuits. We hope the instructions provided helped you in choosing the right tool for home use!

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Source: https://samelectrik.ru/vybor-payalnika-dlya-pajki-provodov.html