soldering tool

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Not sure where to post this question. Can someone please recommend a soldering tool that I can use for tiny areas such as pcb boards like motherboards, etc. I have a soldering gun but I think it can ruin the motherboard since it's 100watts. The tip is also at 2 to 3mm which is too big.

Thanks.

Neil

 

[AnthonyZ]

It's funny you ask this today. I was up late working on a project and thinking about how I'd like to buy another iron. I currently use a couple of cheap irons. One is a 20/40 watt iron and stand combo from Radio Shack. The other is a ? watt Weller (I've had it so long, I don't remember) thats just a standard plug in. In a perfect world, I would be rolling with something like this.

 

[fcwilt]

I have this unit but I also purchased an additional WMP soldering pencil for finer work.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/solder/wd1000.htm

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Wasn't aware that they cost that much! I was hoping I can find something in the lower 30s.

 

[Digger]

Check out MCM electronics. They have some at reasonable prices.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

You can most likely get a single temp soldering iron for cheap with the specific tip/heat range you want (if you know both of those specifications) but, if you do this a lot, you will probably want a variable temperature station.

In my experience, Weller makes the best, but they are a little pricey. I found (IMO) that Hakko makes a comparable product for a lot less money.

I use Weller at work, but have a Hakko 936-12 soldering station at home. You can pick these up for around $75. I also purchased another smaller tip (for precise PC board work).

I had the luxury of having a Kiesub Electronics here locally for this purchase.

 

[signal15]

You can most likely get a single temp soldering iron for cheap with the specific tip/heat range you want (if you know both of those specifications) but, if you do this a lot, you will probably want a variable temperature station.

In my experience, Weller makes the best, but they are a little pricey. I found (IMO) that Hakko makes a comparable product for a lot less money.

I use Weller at work, but have a Hakko 936-12 soldering station at home. You can pick these up for around $75. I also purchased another smaller tip (for precise PC board work).

I had the luxury of having a Kiesub Electronics here locally for this purchase.

I think mine is also a Hakko. It's some chinese thing that I paid about $75 for. It has an anti-static tip thing, and temperature is controllable by *temperature* with a meter that shows the actual temp. I lot of the other cheap stuff just has a dial that goes from 1-10. Make sure you get something that has an actual temp control in it that will shut off the element when it reaches a certain temp.

Even my little 15 watt radio shack iron will get way too hot for soldering electronics if I leave it sit too long.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Thanks everyone for the links/ideas and especially the brand names.

What are some proven techniques in melting the lead on a pcb? I remember I used my friend's $10 soldering pen but I wasn't able to melt it.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

The Hakko I referenced will regulate itself to the set temp (you can see the indicator light turning on and off).

Neil; Sometimes you have to get a very small dab of solder to the iron to get heat to conduct to the old solder.

 

[AnthonyZ]

Neil; Sometimes you have to get a very small dab of solder to the iron to get heat to conduct to the old solder.

Agreed. I make a habit of every time I lift the iron, I both clean and "wet" the tip. By "wet" I mean that I dab it with solder and flick it to remove excess. This keeps the tip in good working order (prevents oxidation) and also conducts heat much better than a tip that's just sat hot in it's stand. As a byproduct, I have little hard drops of excess solder all about the floor in my "lab".