How to choose the right soldering station

How to choose a reliable and inexpensive soldering station - consider all the characteristics

For comfortable work with a soldering iron, it is recommended to use a special station. It may have wide functionality, which will significantly affect the quality. Currently, there are many models with different characteristics and a range of capabilities.

Purpose

In essence, the station is a ready-made workplace. In most cases, it consists of a control unit, a soldering iron connected to it, a hot air gun and a tin current container.

Soldering Station

How does the use of stations differ from a conventional soldering iron connected to the mains? There are several important qualities that directly affect the comfort of doing work:

• Adjustment of tip heating power. It is characterized by high accuracy and smooth mode switching.
• Overheat protection.
• Monitoring the current tip temperature and automatically increasing power to maintain the required mode.
• Additional components. These include desoldering irons with a solder removal function and hot air guns for heating a relatively large area.

Particular attention should be paid to the new product – infrared models. They have unique functionality. To select a soldering station, it is recommended to first familiarize yourself with their basic parameters.

Each installation has its own unique functions. The operating mode, the choice of operations and the quality of soldering depend on them. All of them must be indicated by the manufacturer in the technical data sheet.

First you need to decide on the requirements for a particular model. To do this, you need to know the approximate amount of work, the operating modes of the station, as well as the degree of heating of the tip.

• The influence of solder composition (tin + lead) on the temperature of the soldering iron.
• Station modes - normal operation, fusing elements for dismantling, as well as removing enlarged contacts.
• Rated power consumption. Tue
• Indication of tip temperature on the screen.
• Equipment.

Based on these data, the optimal soldering station model is selected. Then it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the types of these devices.

The required set of functions has a great influence on the choice. They directly depend on the size of the soldered elements and temperature requirements. Depending on these indicators, several types of stations are distinguished.

Contact

Designed for simple soldering. They include a tip temperature control unit. Control is carried out by adjusting the supplied current power to the heating area. Some models have a stabilization function when touching the tip of the board or solder. At this moment, the control unit increases power to compensate for heat losses.

Lead-free soldering contacts

Modern circuit boards are made using refractory solders. To work with them, you will need an increased temperature of the soldering iron tip. It is for this purpose that stations with power from 80 to 190 W were developed. They have the same capabilities as the types described above. The main difference is the use of lead-free soldering technology.

However, you should be aware that such models cannot be used when working with microelements. High temperature exposure can destroy them.

Thermal air

An air compressor is added to the design of these types of stations, which is connected to a special soldering iron. The air passing along the tip heats up, thereby increasing the temperature over a large area of ​​the board. Recommended for large volumes of work.

Combined

In addition to the soldering iron, their package includes a special model of a hair dryer. It is designed to preheat the board. This significantly increases productivity, since the contacts undergo heat treatment and soldering (or dismantling) will require much less time.

Infrared

Infrared soldering stations have been developed to reduce the likelihood of mechanical damage to components. They generate IR radiation in a narrow region. As a result of this, the metal components are heated first, and only then a small part of the heat is transferred to the board.

An important point when choosing is the cost of the equipment. And the more functionality it has, the higher the price will be.

Model

Type

Cost, rub.

Source: https://ismith.ru/welding-equip/kak-vybrat-payalnuyu-stanciyu/

Choosing a soldering station

The need to use soldering equipment may arise at any time, even at home, but not every master knows how to [choose a soldering station] so that its technical capabilities meet the current need.

And to understand this, you need to understand the technical potential of modern soldering equipment.

Soldering requires not only the presence of a soldering iron, but also the necessary components, the minimum set of which consists of a control module and a spring holder.

For using a soldering device at home, this is the optimal configuration option, capable of providing a stable temperature, protection from overloads and static.

Whereas a standard soldering station for special purposes, including industrial, can also be equipped with:

• thermal tweezers (used for installation and disassembly of miniature components);
• local heating hairdryer (used as an auxiliary heater at the soldering site);
• thermal emitter (used to heat the board when group soldering is performed);
• vacuum tweezers;
• auxiliary fittings.

Features of classification of soldering equipment

Depending on the purpose of the soldering station, its configuration may include devices for highly specialized operations.

It is the complete set that ultimately determines the classification of soldering equipment.

The soldering station can be:

• hot air - this type of device is equipped with a hair dryer and provides for soldering with hot air;
• induction - is a miniature, but very powerful and durable device;
• pulse - used for installation and dismantling of any modern circuit;
• infrared - along with gas soldering irons, this is the best opportunity to repair a mobile phone or tablet yourself.

Technological features of the use of soldering stations

Depending on the type of soldering performed, devices are divided into 2 categories - lead and lead-free.

Lead soldering equipment is equipped with a module that regulates the heating level of the tip. These can be either devices whose operation is based on electricity, or induction-type stations.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: How to choose a semi-automatic welding machine?

A characteristic feature of induction stations is that their operation is ensured by an alternating magnetic field.

In this case, each soldering element is processed with a different power, the selection of which is carried out automatically, since the device independently determines the heat capacity of the soldering component.

The use of induction soldering stations is convenient to operate and has high heat dissipation.

In cases where it is necessary to solder small circuit elements or hard-to-reach components, the non-contact soldering method is used. Non-contact soldering stations include hot-air and infrared soldering stations.

The operating principle of infrared soldering equipment is based on the properties of infrared rays obtained from ceramic or quartz elements.

The main areas of application for infrared stations are computer circuits and motherboards.

Thermal air stations operate on the principle of point transfer of hot air, so they can be used to easily warm up hard-to-reach elements without touching adjacent contacts.

This type of soldering device is usually used in workshops for repairing household electronic and mobile equipment.

Nuances of operating various types of soldering equipment

The technological diversity of types and categories of soldering equipment significantly complicates its choice.

Therefore, before giving preference to any model, it is worth familiarizing yourself in detail with their technical potential and recommended scope of application.

Craftsmen who use a regular soldering iron at home are well aware of the situation when the sensitive elements of the device overheat, and it is not possible to adjust the temperature.

This is one of the reasons why it is better to choose a soldering station over a soldering iron.

Because the station is equipped with a power supply, and with its help you can change not only the voltage, but also the temperature of the device.

However, it is not enough to simply choose a soldering station with a thermal stabilization system. It is also important to consider the power of the device, especially if refractory solders are used.

Otherwise, negative consequences cannot be avoided:

1. excessive soldering temperature leads to overheating of circuit components;

2. the durability of the soldering iron tip is sharply reduced due to overheating;

3. the shelf life of the heating element is reduced;

4. the tracks on the board overheat;

5. soldering quality is unsatisfactory.

In such cases, it is recommended to pay attention to equipment specifically designed for lead-free soldering - firstly, the power of such devices is much higher, and secondly, they can also be used for lead soldering.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Tips for choosing a semi-automatic welding machine

Methods for controlling soldering equipment

Considering that soldering stations are one of the main tools in the field of electronics production, and the level of demand for them is high, multifunctional devices have been created that combine the technical capabilities of various types of equipment.

Such devices are distinguished by the connection of several modules, allowing the use of contact or non-contact soldering, as well as the use of several nozzles and tips.

When choosing soldering equipment, the method of controlling the station deserves special attention. It can be digital and analog.

Analogue type devices require constant monitoring, because when a certain temperature level is reached, they must be turned off so that the soldering tip does not overheat.

On the other hand, after turning off the device, the temperature drops, and in order to solder, you must wait until it rises again.

Digital type devices operate thanks to appropriate software, which provides control of the tip heating temperature automatically.

This means that the digital control method provides a more stable and accurate level of temperature maintenance than the analogue one.

Principles for choosing a soldering station

The task of soldering equipment is to ensure high-quality connection of elements, which in turn depends on the following design and technical parameters:

• A type of heating element. Modern manufacturers offer soldering stations with two types of heaters - ceramic and nichrome. Ceramic heaters heat up quickly, but are sensitive to uneven heating and can crack. But with thermal stabilization, ceramic heaters show good heat transfer, high power and durability. Whereas nichrome is not able to ensure long-term operation of the heater and is therefore recommended for infrequent use. True, a nichrome heater costs much less than a ceramic one;
• Range of adjustable temperature indicators;
• Warm-up speeds;
• Power. As a rule, the quality level of a soldering station depends on the feasibility of its operation. It all depends on what kind of soldering is required and for what components. Therefore, power is one of the most important parameters that determine the choice of soldering equipment. Especially if the device will be used to repair such sensitive types of equipment as mobile phones, tablets, navigators, etc.;
• Voltage;
• Ergonomic indicators - weight, size, shape.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Choosing the best inverter welding machine

Also, objective factors influencing the choice of a soldering device are:

1. Standards accepted by the international community that provide for lead-free soldering. This means that to ensure soldering you will need equipment with an operating temperature of 250 °C;
2. Placing microcircuits in BGA packages. On the one hand, this is justified, since it allows you to reduce the size of products. On the other hand, this complicates all soldering-related processes due to the inaccessibility of components.

Other important points when choosing a soldering station

Regardless of what type of soldering station you choose, experienced craftsmen recommend providing yourself with a supply of replacement tips in advance.

Different types of tips differ in shape and edge area, and the final soldering result largely depends on these parameters.

First of all, because the larger the edge area, the better the heat transfer during the soldering process. And secondly, not only the type of elements being processed, but also its temperature can depend on the shape of the tip.

Therefore, good manufacturers make sure that the material from which the soldering tips are made has good heat dissipation.
Also, when choosing, you should pay attention to the ability to replace parts of the soldering equipment if they fail.

There is no point in investing in equipment that cannot be repaired.

Source: https://rezhemmetall.ru/kak-vybrat-payalnuyu-stanciyu.html

Choosing a soldering station for work and home – what to look for?

Using a soldering station may also be necessary at home (for beginners), for different needs and situations. But the problem can be choice - not everyone knows what signs, characteristics and nuances to use to do this.

In order to understand this issue, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical potential of the soldering iron, namely: functions, heating capability, power, etc.

In this article we will try to talk in detail about how to choose a soldering station and which is better in 2017.

What does the kit consist of?

When carrying out soldering work, you need not only a soldering station, but also complete parts: a control and monitoring module and a spring holder. All this will be able to provide the required temperature and protect against overloads.

Depending on the specific operation of the soldering station, the kit may include:

• tweezers (soldering and removing small parts);
• hair dryer for heating (additional heating of the soldering area);
• heat emitter (heating the board when soldering the group);
• vacuum tweezers;
• additional fittings.

Equipment classification

Depending on the specialization of the soldering iron, certain components are included. To choose the right soldering station, you must remember that the configuration determines the operating profile of the device.

There are four types of soldering irons:

1. Hot air (equipped with a hairdryer, soldering is carried out with hot air). We recommend choosing this option for repairing car bumpers and other plastic parts.
2. Pulse (mounting and removing more modern circuits).
3. Induction (small but very powerful device).
4. Infrared (easier ability to repair laptops, phones, mini PCs or tablets).

Based on this, we summarize - in order to choose one or another model, you need to know initially what will be soldered with this soldering iron.

Technical features

When choosing, you need to know that according to the type of soldering, two categories can be distinguished:

Lead devices are equipped with a module that regulates the temperature level of the soldering tip, which makes the work more accurate and of better quality. Mechanisms based on electricity and an induction type station, for the operation of which a magnetic field is generated. By using such a device you get high heat output.

When soldering hard-to-reach components, non-contact soldering (hot air or infrared) is used. Infrared is used for circuits in computers or motherboards. Thermal air (point transfer) - for heating inaccessible parts, without affecting nearby parts. This option is best chosen for soldering plastic, as well as setting up household appliances and mobile phones.

Operation of soldering stations

Today there are many types of equipment for the technical part of the soldering device, and this significantly complicates the choice when purchasing. Because of this, before choosing a suitable model, you need to decide on the technical features and scope of use.

Those who like to repair something at home with their own hands mostly use ordinary soldering irons, but they overheat the parts, resulting in the result of not repairing parts, but the opposite. This is the most important reason to leave the choice at the soldering station.

The presence of a power supply makes work easy and simple thanks to the ability to change voltage and temperature.

Power plays a role, this is important when using refractory solders. Otherwise:

• high temperature – overheating of circuits;
• the tip is destroyed when exposed to high temperature;
• the heating part fails over time;
• overheating of board tracks;
• the quality of soldering decreases.

To avoid the above nuances, it is better to choose a station for lead-free soldering. You can also make a soldering iron with your own hands, as we talked about in the corresponding article!

Control type

A soldering station is one of the most important devices in electronics manufacturing. This indicates a high degree of need among people involved in this activity. The installation allows you to connect a pair of modules, which make it possible to solder with or without a contact, and you can also replace nozzles and tips.

To choose the right device, it is important to correctly determine the control method:

• digital (certain programs provide control over the heating of the tip, stability and accuracy in operation, rather than analog);
• analog (devices must be under constant monitoring, since high temperatures have a negative effect on the component parts of the device).

Main selection criteria

First-class adhesion of elements is the most important goal of a soldering station. To choose the right device you need to know the design and technical parameters:

1. Heating element and its type. Today, the bulk of devices from which you can choose have 2 types - ceramic and nichrome. Ceramic ones heat up quickly, but can burst if heated unevenly; if there is a heat stabilizer, all this will not happen, it will control the temperature and the device will last longer. Nichrome quickly breaks down and is not suitable for frequent use. Costs significantly less than ceramics.
2. The temperature adjustment range should be wider.
3. Heating rate.
4. Power. To select a soldering station based on power, you must initially know the area of ​​operation of the device: phones, laptops, tablets or household appliances, etc.;
5. Voltage; weight, size, shape, etc.

You also need to take into account such points as:

• global standards for lead-free soldering, which indicates equipment with a temperature of 250 degrees;
• The circuits are housed in a BGA chip package, making the device itself smaller and lighter.

What else is important to know?

When purchasing, craftsmen advise to also stock up on spare replacement tips. They all differ in shape and end area, which determines the result of the work itself. Also, in order to choose the appropriate design option, you need to know that a larger edge provides better heat exchange during soldering. In turn, the shape affects the type of elements that will be soldered, as well as accessibility to the soldering points and temperature.

Another important tip is that in order to choose everything correctly, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the soldering tips are made; they must conduct heat transfer well. In addition, you need to select equipment with easy replacement of parts in the event of failure of one of them.

The best manufacturers and models

Well, the last thing I would like to talk about is which soldering station is better to choose for home (those who like to repair household electrical appliances), work (electronics repair), as well as soldering plastic car parts.

First of all, let's talk about device manufacturers. The best today are the German company Ersa and the Chinese Quick.

However, for those who like to repair electrical appliances at home, choosing soldering equipment from Ersa will not be the most rational decision.

The fact is that the price of the equipment is quite high, so this option is better suited for professional use. At the same time, Quick has in its assortment budget soldering stations of more or less good quality.

Another popular company is Lukey. Many craftsmen and radio amateurs claim that this is the cheapest China, which breaks down quickly and can also cause a fire. Another part of the craftsmen recommends choosing a Lukey soldering station for beginner radio amateurs, because...

Some equipment models are quite well made and, for their price, are the best option for a home workshop. To make your choice, we recommend checking out reviews on YouTube.

You can find many video reviews of new equipment, which show the main functionality, equipment and disadvantages of certain soldering stations.

Still, the most popular inexpensive models are Lukey 702, 852D+ and 868. From Quick, the most often purchased are 202D ESD (for amateurs) and 702 ESD (for professionals).

A hot air station is suitable for repairing bumpers. A good option is Lukey 868, the operation of which is demonstrated in the photo:

Finally, we recommend watching a video that discusses in detail all the nuances of choosing a soldering station for home and work:

That's all I wanted to tell you about this rather complex issue. We hope you now know how to choose a soldering station and which one is better in 2017!

It will be interesting to read:

Source: https://samelectrik.ru/vybor-payalnoj-stancii-dlya-raboty-i-doma.html

What are soldering stations: which one is better to choose for your home, soldering features

When the capabilities of a conventional soldering iron become insufficient, it makes sense to think about using a special soldering station (SS). Carrying out high-quality installation of some elements on a printed circuit board without special equipment can be either very difficult or completely impossible.

Modern printed circuit boards are assembled on automated lines using special substations. It is logical that such devices must be used for repairs.

Moreover, when heated with a conventional soldering iron (even with a thin tip), there is a high risk of overheating the element itself or the textolite base on which it is mounted.

What is a soldering station

A soldering station is specialized equipment used for soldering high-temperature and voltage-sensitive radio components (microcircuits, transistors, capacitors).

The main parts of such equipment are:

• Control module - a block that includes a step-down transformer, a soldering iron temperature control chip;
• Soldering iron is a working part of this equipment connected to the control module by a flexible shielded cable;
• Stand - located on the side of the control module and serves to safely place a heated soldering iron during breaks between soldering jobs.

More complex models also contain a hair dryer, thermal tweezers, and an infrared emitter for heating a certain area of ​​the printed circuit board. Some stations have a small air compressor built inside that pumps air into the hairdryer with a heating element.

Heating element type

The soldering irons used use two types of heating elements: ceramic and nichrome.

Comparative characteristics:

1. A nichrome element has less power than a ceramic element, which has compact dimensions;
2. The nichrome element has a short service life compared to ceramic ones (the difference can reach several years);
3. Ceramics are less resistant to mechanical damage; even microscopic cracks prevent further use of the heater;
4. The cost of a soldering iron with a ceramic element is higher.

Important! Ceramic elements can crack due to temperature imbalances that occur when using a poorly installed tip.

Types of soldering stations

All modern stations differ in such characteristics as the soldering method, the type of soldering iron heating control (the temperature of a hair dryer or infrared emitter), and purpose.

Contact and non-contact

Operating principle of RCD

Depending on the method of soldering radio components, all soldering stations are divided into:

• Contact - in such equipment, radio components are soldered using a soldering iron with a sharp tip. According to the method of heating the tip, such stations are induction (the tip is heated by eddy currents generated when high voltage is applied to the coil located around it), pulse (the soldering iron is not heated constantly, but only at the moment the tip comes into contact with the working surface);
• Non-contact - soldering in such stations occurs due to the flow of hot air or thermal radiation. Non-contact devices are divided, in turn, into two types: hot-air (soldering occurs due to a high-temperature hair dryer supplying heated air to the working surface) and infrared (soldering occurs thanks to soldering irons with infrared emitters).

For your information. This classification is conditional - in many modern stations the equipment consists of contact and non-contact devices for soldering.

Analog and digital

Analog and digital soldering stations

According to the method of regulating the heating of the working body, soldering stations are divided into 2 types:

• Analog - in such stations, the heating of the tip is controlled by one sensor, which is connected to a relay that closes and opens the circuit of the heating element of the soldering iron;
• Digital - the heating of the soldering iron tip in such stations is regulated using switches and buttons located in the controller (microcircuit) located in the control module.

Analog soldering stations, due to their design features, are more reliable and repairable. However, this is where their advantages end - digital soldering equipment, in comparison with them, has more precise heating settings, which allows it to be used when soldering very temperature-sensitive radioelements.

Assembly and dismantling

Depending on their purpose, soldering stations are divided into:

• Assembly equipment - equipment structurally designed for soldering radio components onto printed circuit boards;
• Dismantling - soldering stations, which are used for quick and high-quality removal of solder and dismantling of burnt-out radio components.

In most cases, dismantling stations are used only in large radio engineering productions - ordinary radio amateurs remove remnants of old solder and dismantle failed radio components using conventional assembly soldering irons.

Repair

Soldering equipment of this type is used to carry out a large range of work. It includes not only various types of soldering irons, but also a special desoldering pump for removing solder particles and smoke, a clamp for fixing the part (board), and a lamp for illuminating the working surface. Such a station, thanks to its expanded configuration, combines the functions of the above-described installation and dismantling types of this equipment.

From the history of soldering and metallurgy

Soldering is widely used in industry and everyday life. Thus, in the mechanical engineering field it is used in the production of turbine blades, disks, pipeline systems and many other products. Soldering is used in the production of electronic equipment for various purposes.

Soldering electronic equipment

The advantages of this technological process include the following:

1. Low temperature heating of connected parts. this allows you to preserve the structure and mechanical parameters of the materials.
2. This method allows you to ensure the mechanical cleanliness of the seam and this allows you to avoid additional mechanical processing.
3. Modern soldering methods make it possible to connect parts made of steel alloys, non-ferrous metals, etc.

Soldering is one of the oldest methods of metal processing. Its use helped solve many problems in the manufacture of dishes, weapons, jewelry, etc.

Several thousand years ago, soldering was already widely used by artisans. Thus, during excavations on the territory of Babylon, gold items were discovered, in which individual parts were soldered.

And on the site of ancient Rome, lead pipes were found that were part of the water supply system and assembled using tin-lead solder.

Moreover, some researchers are convinced that the legendary Monomakh hat, kept in the Kremlin, is assembled from several thousand elements made of gold and connected by soldering.

Arc welding

Before the advent of electric arc welding, soldering was used along with welding performed in a forge to create permanent connections between metal parts. In principle, we can say that the advent of electric welding significantly stopped the development of soldering and its transformation into a technical process for joining metal parts.

Brazing Technology

But the emergence and rapid development of aviation construction, astronautics, and microelectronics has led to the emergence of a high and stable demand for the use of this method of assembling parts. In particular, soldering is used to create complex components in mechanical engineering and the construction of various devices. In some cases, soldering turned out to be the only way to connect parts.

Features of choice

The main characteristics taken into account when choosing a soldering station are its power, equipment, and the type of flux used for soldering.

Power

Blocking generator: operating principle

The choice of a soldering station based on this characteristic depends on its purpose:

• For soldering small radio components that are sensitive to overheating, equipment with a power of 40-60 W is used;
• To work with printed circuit board elements that are not so sensitive to high temperatures, stations with a power of 70-90 W are used;
• More powerful equipment (power over 100W) is used for professional daily soldering in medium and large production of household and computer equipment.

Note! The most convenient and productive stations for amateur radio are those with a power of 60 to 90 W.

Equipment

The most convenient configuration of a soldering station includes the following components:

• Soldering iron with replaceable tips of various shapes;
• Hot air hair dryer, tripod for vertical mounting;
• Tubular Solder Reel;
• Special lamp.

Although such equipment will not be cheap, it will allow you to perform all types of amateur radio soldering work.

Flux selection

The best flux is soldering acid

Flux is a substance that prevents the formation of an oxide layer on the surface on which solder is applied, as well as on the soldering iron tip. The quality and speed of soldering work depend on the correct choice of flux.

The following are used as fluxes for soldering stations:

• Rosin (hardened pine or spruce resin);
• Alcohol solution of rosin;
• Orthophosphoric soldering acid.

For your information. Among these types of rosin, the most convenient and effective to apply is orthophosphoric soldering acid.

Short review

Let's start with a station with a Quick 203H digital control unit (its photo is shown in the figure below).

Appearance of the QUICK 203Н station

The original model of this station costs between $220-$240, a Chinese analogue can be found at half the price (when choosing, pay attention to the package, it can be supplied without a soldering iron). Works great with SMD radio components and lead-containing solder.

review and operation in real conditions of the QUICK 203H station

Negative points: massive elements and lead-free solder require a long time to warm up.

Characteristics:

• The power declared by the manufacturer is 90W.
• Operating temperature from 200C° to 420C°.
• A voltage of 36V with a frequency of 400kHz is supplied to the induction coil.
• Stabilization of the established thermal regime is carried out with an error of 2C°.
• Heating to an operating temperature of 350C° takes no more than 25 seconds.

The digital control unit allows you to set 10 temperature profiles, set a power-on password lock, perform calibration, and set a delay time for turning on the sleep mode and turning off the device.

Those who purchased a Chinese analogue of the device are advised to immediately worry about purchasing the original tip, since what is included in the kit is more decorative than working.

Source: https://instanko.ru/elektroinstrument/dlya-chego-nuzhna-payalnaya-stanciya.html

Rules for choosing a soldering station, types, models and characteristics

Currently, the soldering iron has become an ordinary device that can only satisfy everyday needs.

For high-quality repair and restoration of modern devices, much more advanced devices are required, a huge number of varieties of which are available for the choice of specialists and beginners in this field.

The correct choice of a soldering station is possible only if you clearly understand what categories this equipment is divided into and what this or that category serves.

Current soldering stations can be:

• contact
• lead-free contact soldering
• hot air
• combined hot air
• dismantling
• infrared.

LUKEY 936

Contact soldering stations

The main problem with soldering irons is overheating of the elements in use, which is especially dangerous for semiconductors. In soldering stations that have a thermal stabilization system, the temperature of the working element is regulated using a power supply in the range from 250 to 330 degrees. Examples of stations of this type are the following models:

• Lukey 936+
• AOYUE 936
• AOYUE 937

Lead-free soldering contact stations

In the case of repair of modern circuit boards created on refractory solders without the use of lead, lead-free soldering stations are used, where the power of the heating element ranges from 75 to 160 W. The most famous models in this category are:

• Goot PX-501
• GOOT RX-802AS
• AOYUE 2900
• GOOT RX-852AS
• ATTEN AT80D
• GOOT PX-201

Lead-free stations can be quite successfully used for working with lead solders. However, contact soldering cannot be used in the now common SMT installation, which uses miniature elements.

ATTEN AT80D

Hot air soldering stations

This type of station, the most widely used at present, is used when working with microelements. Their operating principle is quite simple. The air flow created by the compressor passes through the heating element and is supplied to the soldering zone, which completely eliminates the problem of inaccessibility and heating of several contact pads.

Such stations are used in the repair of household appliances and telephones with lead and lead-free solders. They cannot be used when working with large BGA chips. The most famous models in this category are:

• ATTEN AT860D
• Lukey 850D
• AOYUE 857A++
• Pro'sKit SS-601F

Combined hot air soldering stations

Hot air soldering stations combine other types of soldering equipment. An example of this is the very common Lukey 852 D+, where a tandem of a soldering iron and a hot air gun operates successfully. Combination stations exist not only in the Lukey series, but also in the AOYUE series.

AOYUE 2702A

Desoldering Stations

This category of stations also includes a compressor that operates on suction, due to which the heated solder from the surface being treated is sucked into a special container. The most common models in this category include:

• AOYUE 2702A+
• AOYUE 474A+
• AOYUE 701A+

Infrared soldering stations

These stations are intended:

• for mounting and dismantling medium- and large-sized BGA chips
• to reduce the thermal effect on plastic elements during soldering
• to eliminate a large number of attachments for individual types of microcircuits.

The advantages that infrared stations have lead to their widespread use in service centers involved in servicing computers.

Source: https://masterim.guru/instrumenty/kak-vybrat-payalnuyu-stanciyu/

Which soldering station should I choose for my home? — Handyman's Handbook

Which soldering tool is better? Which to choose? First you need to figure out what types of these devices exist and why they are needed.

Soldering irons

Nowadays, not only simple electric soldering irons, familiar to many radio amateurs, are common, but also so-called pulsed, gas, and so on. There are many types and models of these tools, which are produced by different manufacturers. Let's look at their device:

• At the heart of a conventional electric soldering iron is a special heating element , which receives current directly from the household electrical network. When the device is turned on, the heater warms up, warming up the tip. Moreover, some types can be powered by batteries, which makes them even more convenient.
• Some radio amateurs prefer to use pulse radios . The basis of their device is a special transformer. Well, the tip itself is attached to the transformer. These types have a special button for activation, as well as illumination of the working area. When you press the button, the transformer begins to supply voltage to the tip, due to which it heats up quite quickly. By releasing the button, the tip will also quickly cool down (well, not as quickly as it heats up, but still quickly).
• There are portable gas devices that run on liquefied gas. Essentially these are just burners, with special attachments for the tip. Pump gas into the cylinder, set it on fire and solder! But with these types you can not only solder, but also cut metal, melt it or weld it. In general, this is more of a universal gas burner.

Soldering stations

There are many different types of these devices, and each has its own specific design features. But they all have something in common, namely, a control unit . The control unit itself is the basis, since it is used to control the heating of the soldering iron (or whatever is in the station instead). Mainly, the differences are in the soldering tools or their combinations:

• Contact soldering stations are essentially a soldering iron connected to a control unit. The simplest ones have only a power button, as well as an analog temperature controller. Some radio amateurs do not consider such units to be full-fledged and simply call soldering irons with temperature control. More expensive devices have a digital temperature display, as well as a special processor for control.
• Hot air stations are equipped with a special hot air gun, which heats the solder with a stream of heated air.
• Mixed types can have both a contact soldering iron and a hot air gun. They are usually purchased by experienced radio amateurs or service center owners. After all, why buy two different ones if you can take one, multifunctional.
• Infrared heats the solder using a special infrared emitter. Typically, such devices are very expensive and are used to repair various complex devices. Their control units are much more complex than the previous ones, since these devices are often semi-automatic.

Now let's look at the benefits of these devices, as well as their areas of application, because that's what we're here for!

Advantages and disadvantages of soldering irons

Advantages of each type:

• Conventional electrical appliances are very cheap and simple. Plug it into the socket - and solder! Some may have a temperature regulator, which is also quite convenient. These are the simplest and most affordable soldering devices.
• Pulse ones are quite economical. Essentially, they only work when the button is pressed.
• Gas ones do not depend on the household electrical network. They do not depend on electricity at all, as they run on liquefied gas. If you have to work in the field and do not have access to sources of electricity, such devices will be simply ideal! Actually, in such conditions there is no other alternative.

Flaws:

• Cheap electric soldering irons tend to explode during operation. This is not a joke, such cases happen periodically. Imagine the frustration of a radio amateur whose cheap Chinese device exploded in his hands. Well, some of them also have such a simple design that if it breaks, it’s easier to throw it away, since it’s non-separable and you can’t replace the damaged part.
• Pulse ones are quite large and have a specific tip shape. If you have been using a conventional device for a long time, then the pulse device will simply seem inconvenient, too cumbersome and incomprehensible to you.
• “Well, what could be wrong with gas?” - you ask. And we will answer - they are gas! That is, heating occurs from an open flame, which requires the user to observe strict safety precautions. One wrong move and a real fire could break out in a radio amateur’s workshop!

Advantages and disadvantages of soldering stations

Actually, let's start with the most pleasant thing - the advantages:

• Soldering irons of contact soldering stations are collapsible! They can replace the heating element, tip, or replace them themselves (not available for everyone). And, of course, there is an adjustment of the heating temperature.
• A hot air gun is a real advantage, especially if you need to work with small SMD components. The hair dryer allows you to evenly heat the soldering area, which is especially important when working with multi-pin components.
• Stations with a soldering iron and hair dryer - all the advantages of the above devices!
• Infrared units allow you to work with complex components, large circuit boards, and so on. They independently exercise full control of the soldering process.

And disadvantages:

• Cheap contact soldering stations often break down and fail due to the manufacturer using cheap components.
• Thermal air. You can simply overheat the hairdryer and it will start to melt. Compressors or fans that pump air also often deteriorate. But this is again a problem with cheap devices.
• Mixed. The same problems as those listed above.
• Infrared ones are just very expensive.

Let's conclude

So what should you choose? Soldering iron or soldering station? No, we will not advise you on a specific model or type. Each type of this soldering equipment has its own purpose and belongs to a certain price category. But you know how they differ from each other, what advantages and disadvantages they have, which will allow you to make the right choice yourself. Well, if you need help in choosing or advice, contact us, and we will help you.

Source: https://reminform.com/kakuyu-payalnuyu-stantsiyu-vybrat-dlya-doma/

How to choose a soldering station for your home: expert advice

The “stuffing” of modern devices is becoming more and more complex every year, and radio and electrical components are becoming smaller and smaller. It is simply impossible to repair such equipment using an ordinary classic soldering iron.

To install or replace various electronic components (microcircuits, chips, processors, SMD elements), both professionals and amateurs currently use special soldering stations. Such equipment greatly simplifies the soldering process.

The choice of these devices is currently very wide, both in price and in terms of purpose and functionality. Which soldering station to choose depends on the complexity of the equipment you plan to repair with it. Only this way and no other way.

Design and advantages of a soldering station

Technologically, any such device consists of two main components:

• devices for heating the soldering area to the required temperature;
• control and adjustment unit.

The advantages of the station (in comparison with a conventional soldering iron) are:

• Ability to set and control the working temperature of soldering. This minimizes the risk of thermal damage to the mounted part and overheating of adjacent components.
• Complete galvanic isolation of the working area from the network (220 volts). This prevents failure of the mounted elements due to electrical breakdown.

We hope that our review article will help you figure out which soldering station is better and how to choose the device that will be most suitable for performing your specific tasks in repairing, maintaining, or independently manufacturing various electronic devices.

Depending on the design features, all soldering stations are divided into several main types:

• contact (heating of the junction of the leads of radio-electronic components is carried out by direct contact of the soldering iron tip with them);

• non-contact: thermal air and infrared (soldering occurs under the influence of a flow of hot air or infrared radiation);
• dismantling or repair (they are equipped with a special suction that removes solder from the joint);
• combined (these are “two in one” or “three in one” devices, allowing for various soldering methods).

The answer to the question of which soldering station to choose largely depends on the elements that need to be dismantled (or vice versa, soldered) with its help. To repair entry-level household audio equipment, it will be enough to acquire a simple contact device. To restore equipment with numerous SMD parts, it is better to use contactless stations.

Main technical characteristics

The main technical characteristics of modern soldering stations (regardless of the type) include:

• power – from 8 to 3600 W;
• operating temperature range – from 50 to 550 °C;
• stability of maintaining the set temperature throughout the entire period of work (for top models - plus/minus 1 °C);
• heating time to maximum temperature (depends on the type of heating element and, as a rule, does not exceed 1 minute).

It is quite difficult to answer the question of which soldering station to choose based on the characteristics listed above.

On a note! For fine jewelry work, an 8-watt contact station is quite suitable. For soldering using refractory lead-free solders, a power of 80-90 W or more is required.

Contact stations

Contact stations were the first to replace the “archaic” soldering iron. It is they, thanks to their affordable price, wide range of models and the soldering method familiar to many, that have become most widespread as home appliances.

Based on the principle of maintaining a constant temperature of the soldering iron tip itself, these products are divided into:

• analog (the supply voltage to the heating element is periodically turned off using an electromagnetic relay);
• digital (constant tip temperature is maintained using a special electronic regulator).

Heaters at contact stations are:

• nichrome (the cheapest, but due to their short service life and high inertia, they are practically not used in modern models);
• ceramic;
• induction (the tip is heated using high frequency currents).

To decide which soldering station (contact) is the best to choose, you need to read user reviews. And not only about the product itself, but also about its manufacturer.

Popular models of contact soldering stations

The compact contact soldering station Rexant ZD-99 with an analog temperature controller (ranging from 100 to 450 degrees), a 48-watt soldering iron (with a ceramic heating element), a convenient holder (with a sponge for cleaning the tip) currently costs 1700-1800 rubles

The cost of the 937D digital contact station is about 3,000 rubles. On the Russian market it is known under various brands: Kendal, Element, WEP, Zeny. Among the features worth noting are the LED indicator of operating temperature and a set of six replaceable tips (included in the delivery package). Power – 50 W, operating temperature – 200-480 °C.

Which soldering station to choose - analog or digital? If you want to save money, then the first, if the accuracy of setting the operating temperature (and, as a result, safe installation of the radio-electronic component) is important to you, then the second.

The Quick 202D induction station provides ultra-fast heating of the tip with high frequency currents (400 kHz). A powerful soldering iron (90 W) and a wide temperature control range (from 80 to 480 °C) allow this device to be used for soldering a wide variety of elements and parts (including lead-free solders).

The temperature sensor, built into the tip, ensures accurate (±2 °C) maintenance of the set temperature throughout the entire soldering process. An adjustable auto-shut-off mode (ranging from 1 to 99 minutes), a liquid crystal display and an audible alarm (when the temperature deviates from the set values) add convenience to use.

The cost of such a device is 9500-9700 rubles.

Models of hot air stations

Source: https://FB.ru/article/391465/kakuyu-vyibrat-payalnuyu-stantsiyu-dlya-doma-sovetyi-mastera

TOP 5 best soldering stations: which one to choose, characteristics, prices, reviews

A soldering station may be needed in different conditions and situations, so it can confidently be considered one of the most important devices used to create electronic products. In this article, we will look at the five best soldering stations and take a closer look at all their strengths.

From the large number of models presented on the Internet, we selected the most popular and high-quality models, which became the basis for our rating of the best:

• Rexant ZD-927 12-0159.
• ELEMENT 858.
• Megeon 00361.
• Lukey 702.
• ELEMENT 852D++.

We propose to begin a detailed study of the presented positions.

Rexant ZD-927 12-0159

The first soldering station in our rating includes a low-voltage soldering iron. It is excellent for precision work using small radio components. The soldering iron is equipped with a ceramic heating element with a wide heating temperature range. There is an analog-type switch on the front of the panel, which helps to quickly set the temperature required for operation.

Heating element type	ceramic
Power	8 W
Maximum temperature	450°
Tip tip shape	cone

• suitable for precision work;
• the soldering iron has a ceramic heating element;
• The pin is connected to the station using a special wire;
• there is a holder on the body on which you can place a fully heated soldering iron;
• The kit includes a conical tip;
• low weight (750 g);
• power comes from a 220 V outlet.

Price: from 500 to 750 rubles.

The store advised me to try this station, since it is compact in size and will not take up much space during storage. What I liked most was the packaging and ease of use.

The manufacturer has carefully thought through the safety of its consumers, which only makes us happy. The soldering iron performed well in operation and did not disappoint at all. Separately, it is worth noting the universal power supply from the home network, thanks to which there is no need to struggle with several types of adapters.

I liked the purchase, so I can confidently recommend it to my friends.

ELEMENT 858

A turbine-type soldering iron from a popular brand is used by many customers to solder various types of electronic components. High power allows the device to cope with tasks of varying levels of difficulty, and compact dimensions together with low weight do not cause discomfort in use and storage.

• high power value (700 W);
• compact size (135x100x150 mm);
• low weight does not cause discomfort during operation (1520 g).

Price: from 1,500 to 2,700 rubles.

A good station for home use. It is equipped with all the elements necessary for operation and does not require the user to have special knowledge in operation. The set includes a hairdryer with a high power setting. With its help you can work much faster and better. I liked the analogue way of controlling the entire station completely. It is worth noting the low weight of the structure, which makes working with the soldering iron easy and your hand does not become numb during long sessions.

Megeon 00361

The following station is used for domestic and professional purposes, thanks to which it allows the user to perform many types of work on dismantling and installing various components. The model includes a soldering iron with a wedge-shaped tip and a heating element made of ceramic. On the front model of the case there is a potentiometer that allows you to adjust the heating temperature.

Minimum operating temperature of soldering iron	200°
Equipment	holder, manual, warranty card
Weight	1.3 kg
Power	50 W

• used for professional and domestic purposes;
• the soldering iron has a wedge-shaped tip;
• the heating element is made of ceramics and has a power of 50 W;
• simple temperature control using a mechanical potentiometer;
• equipped with a built-in power supply;
• connection to a household network is provided;
• maintains the set temperature with high accuracy;
• The kit includes a holder and a special sponge designed to remove unnecessary components from the tip.

Price: from 2,000 to 3,100 rubles.

A multifunctional device helps me cope with complex tasks every day. This model of soldering station is a multifunctional option for any buyer, since it can be used for any purpose. The powerful heating element is made of ceramic.

It is easy to regulate the degree of heating of the soldering iron using a conventional mechanical switch, which any user can handle.

The main advantage, in my opinion, was the ability to directly connect to a household network, since previously such an operation could easily cause unstable voltage and fluctuations in the network.

Lukey 702

The presented soldering station belongs to professional-class equipment. Many experts evaluate the device due to its versatility and simple operation. Most often used to create a flow of hot air and heat any components. The handle has a built-in turbine, so the manufacturer managed to avoid the eternal problem of hoses getting tangled and bent.

• refers to professional-class equipment and has high-quality assembly of all components;
• the hair dryer has high power (600 W);
• built-in turbine helps avoid confusion with hoses;
• good hair dryer performance (120 liters per minute);
• temperature control range varies from 100 to 480°C;
• The hair dryer has an automatic shutdown function;
• soldering iron power is 75 W;
• Easy setup thanks to digital station control.

Price: from 3,000 to 4,900 rubles.

A good option for a multifunctional device at a very reasonable cost. I decided to resort to buying a new station due to the breakdown of an old soldering iron that had served me for a long time. In this version, I liked the high power of the hair dryer and the turbine built into the handle.

The very decent power of the soldering iron cannot go unnoticed. Setting up the operation of the device is very easy due to the simple digital control. A wide temperature range also helps in the work. It is easy to install yourself using ergonomic switches.

The model fully satisfied all my needs, thanks to which I can recommend it for purchase to other users.

ELEMENT 852D++

The rating of the best is completed by a two-channel soldering station equipped with a digital temperature display. Its main purpose is the installation and dismantling of elements on printed circuit boards. Settings are easy with ergonomic controls. The design includes a digital display, which helps to accurately set and control the required parameters in operation.

Weight	4.5 kg
Max. working temperature	480°
Power	60 W
A heating element	ceramic

• there is a temperature display;
• suitable for beginners and professionals;
• easy setup using convenient controls;
• There is a digital display that allows you to monitor parameters of interest to the user.

Price: from 3,000 to 5,200 rubles.

A friend of mine encouraged me to choose and buy a soldering station. He has been using this device for a long time and has already been able to evaluate it from all sides: positive and negative.

After a detailed study of reviews on the Internet, I decided to try the unit in practice and after purchasing it I went to test it. The first thing that catches your eye is the bright temperature indicator.

What pleased me most was the fact that the model is perfect for professionals and beginners, and setup does not take much time at all. The digital display helps you control the work process conveniently and in detail.

Comparison table of characteristics

Based on the previously presented rating, we have organized a table containing the main technical parameters of all the devices described above.

What to look for when choosing

Before purchasing a soldering station, we strongly recommend that you consider the following parameters:

1. Type and heating element. Today there are a large number of devices that are divided into two types - nichrome and ceramic. The latter heat up in a short period of time, but often break and deteriorate due to the uneven distribution of the degree of heating. This type must have a heat stabilizer, thanks to which the device will last several times longer. The second type of device often fails for unjustified reasons and is not always suitable for a certain type of work.
2. The temperature control range should be as wide as possible.
3. Heating rate. Regarding this parameter, we can only say that the faster the soldering iron heats up, the better.
4. Power. In order to correctly determine the specified parameter, you should determine in advance the scope of application of the device.
5. Weight and dimensions. It is much more convenient to work with a compact and mobile soldering station than with a large and clumsy one.

Source: https://berutop.ru/5-luchshih-payal-nyh-stancij

How to choose a soldering station: equipment classification and features

A soldering station is equipment designed to work with various, including overheat-sensitive, small radio components and electronic components. Due to the wide variety of models that differ not only in functionality, but also in cost, such stations are widely used among professionals, radio amateurs and simple home craftsmen.

What does the kit consist of?

The simplest model of such soldering equipment consists of the following parts:

• The control module is a metal case containing a transformer and a control chip inside. The front panel of the module contains control elements for the hair dryer and soldering iron: push-button or analogue controllers for the temperature of the soldering iron and hair dryer, and the speed of the hair dryer. Also, under each of the groups of controls there are buttons for turning on the soldering iron and hair dryer.
• A soldering iron is a working part of this equipment with a built-in nichrome or ceramic heater and a replaceable nozzle - a tip.
• Soldering iron stand - a bracket on which, if necessary, a heated soldering iron is placed.
• A hot-air hair dryer is a device consisting of a housing with a nichrome heating element in the form of a spiral built inside it and a small fan. The air, heated when passing through the heated spiral, comes out of the nozzle (nozzle) at the end of the hair dryer.
• Hair dryer holder is a special holder attached to the control module body and designed to securely fix the hair dryer in a non-working position. Also, this holder, which has a built-in magnet inside, allows you to turn off the hair dryer without using a special button on the control module. It is enough to place the device with a magnetic button inside with a built-in magnet on the holder, and the heating element will stop heating, the fan will continue to drive air through it until it cools down to a safe temperature of 1000C.

The hair dryer and soldering iron are connected to the control module using flexible, reliable cords with special connectors.

Soldering station power

Soldering station - operating principle and types

Depending on the purpose, the power of this equipment ranges from 24-40 to 100 watts or more. The most common and widely used models have power from 60 to 90 watts.

Replaceable tips

The soldering station kit includes 5 types of tips (replaceable tips) of the following types:

• Needle-shaped - a thin tip used for soldering very small radio components;
• Cone-shaped flattened - a standard sting in the form of a cone, flattened at the tip;
• A sting with a tip cut at an angle is a fairly thick sting with a flat tip cut at a slight angle;
• Drop - differs from the previous type in its smaller thickness and small recess into which a drop of solder is placed;
• A sting with a knife-shaped tip located at a slight angle to the axis of the nozzle.

The most popular are the stings of these types, included in the 900 M-T series.

Anti-static electricity

As protection against electrostatic electricity, soldering stations use ESD SAFE , the essence of which is to additionally insulate the heating element with a layer of dielectric and connect the heater to the grounding contact of the power plug.

Tip temperature control (thermostat)

The temperature of the tip is controlled thanks to a thermistor built into it, which sends signals to the control board, which, in turn, based on the settings made by the user, determines the duration of heating of the tip.

Contact units for sealing

Induction soldering station

This type of equipment represents the most common and simplest stations, with the help of which soldering occurs due to direct contact of the heated tip with the solder or surfaces of radio components and printed circuit boards.

Digital and analog soldering stations

Depending on the type of adjustments and heating control of the soldering iron and hair dryer, stations are divided into:

• Analogue - heating control and adjustment occurs by turning off the heating element using an electromagnetic relay and simple variable resistors (rotating analogue controllers located on the front panel of the control module);
• Digital - unlike analog, in models of this type, the temperature indicators of the heaters of the hair dryer and soldering iron are maintained thanks to a microcontroller (PID controller) and push-button switches.

Induction installations with coils

Induction heater device

The difference between such stations and other types lies in the design of the heating element of the soldering iron - a coil (inductor), into which a tip with a ferromagnetic coating is inserted. The tip is heated when a high-frequency alternating current is supplied to the inductor, forming a magnetic field, which, in turn, causes magnetization reversal of the tip with the release of a large amount of heat.

Contactless soldering stations for chip repair

Equipment of this type performs soldering by heating the solder and working surfaces using a flow of air heated to 4000C. Unlike contact models, this equipment includes a control module and a hot-air hair dryer with 3 nozzles of different diameters.

Desoldering Devices

DIY soldering station

Such equipment used for dismantling solder and radio components of various sizes is characterized by:

• High power and operating voltage;
• Stronger heating of the tip - up to 400-4500C;
• A special desoldering iron gun that melts solder and sucks it through the air channel of the tip;
• A vacuum pump capable of creating pressure in excess of 1 atmosphere.

Such stations differ from analogues of other types in their higher cost.

Additional features of soldering stations

In addition to soldering work, such equipment can be used to remove excess solder, tinning wires, and dismantling failed radio components.

Possibility to assemble with your own hands

You can not only buy a soldering station, but also make it yourself from inexpensive components. A good example of assembling such homemade equipment can be seen in the following video.

Source: https://amperof.ru/sovety-elektrika/kak-vybrat-payalnuyu-stanciyu.html