TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Electronics : soldering station

Author

Message

irishron40
Senior Member

Joined: 22/09/2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 251

Posted: 12:51pm 25 Jul 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hi just bought a soldering station that is 48 watt
Temperature adjustment range 160 - 520 deg. C

what temperature would you solder strip board on. and what size tips would you recommend. Thanks

Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 12:02am 26 Jul 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Are you sure about that 520 degree C max.? That is waaay to hot for solder.

I would set it to 220 deg to start with and then gradually crank it up until it solders nice. Temp. depends on the solder too, lead free is hotter I think. I still use leaded solder wire, its what I learned this task with and it works for me.

Regarding the tip size, that entirely depends on the soldering job.
For example, to solder a TO92 transistor leg a 1/16" taper tip is what I'd use.
To solder fat wires to a tag strip a 3mm chisel point does the job.

For your iron's watt rating nothing bigger is required.
If it takes too long for the solder to flow on big joints crank the temp setting up but remember to put it back for small joints.

A hint on soldering, never try to transfer a solder blob on the iron's tip to do a solder joint.
First, wipe the tip on a wet sponge to remove the black residue of burnt resin flux.
Then slightly tin the tip, use a very small amount of solder for that.
Immediately take the tip to ONE side o the wire to be soldered to your strip board.
Place the solder wire to the other side of the wire sticking out of the hole and the solder should melt immediately. This guarantees a good solder join.

Do practice that, you know, practice makes perfect.

I always cut the excess component wire after it is soldered, I bend the wires slightly outwards first to prevent the part from falling out during soldering.

Now, if you were to solder something that is subject to vibration you do it differently. Bend the wires right over so they are flat and in line with the strip. Then cut, then solder. But I think that way is harder to solder and at the same time easier to make unwanted solder bridges to adjacent strips

Have fun.

Klaus

powerednut

Senior Member

Joined: 09/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 221

Posted: 02:53am 28 Jul 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Tinker's advice is really good. The only thing I'd add is when your finished doing the joint, clean your iron tip with the sponge again and then re-apply a small amount of solder to the tip. Definately do this before you switch the iron off. Treat it well and it'll last years.

MicroBlocks

Guru

Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209

Posted: 07:55am 28 Jul 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I would drop the sponge and replace it with something like this:

They cost about 7-8USD for a pack of ten and last for a long time.

A sponge will cause a large thermal shock each time you clean the tip and depending on the kind of tip this can shorten its lifetime. It also needs to heat up again and slows you down.

Since using it i never used a sponge again. :)
Edited by MicroBlocks 2016-07-29

Microblocks. Build with logic.

irishron40
Senior Member

Joined: 22/09/2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 251

Posted: 08:38am 28 Jul 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

great advise all. thanks very much

ron

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.