yezzerAug 2, 2024

Soldering people: I’ve got a TS80p, I have good solder and flux. I have two types of tips. I am still shit at soldering. I want to be adequate at soldering.

Should I get a different soldering iron?

No I have not heard of a bad workman blaming their tools

Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer Professional solderer here.
Soldering is one trade where you can absolutely blame the tools. Poor thermal response, oxidation on the iron tip, underpowered, wrong tip for the job.
How do you know if your tool is insufficient? Experience is one way, but lacking that, it's all about proper technique.
Don't skimp on flux. Tin your iron tips. Clean the iron tips. Set the proper temperature for the type of solder. Apply a small amount of solder to the tip before putting it to the joint.
Show threadStephanie Loves to Make
@yezzer the solder itself is an excellent thermal conductor, however oxides are terrible thermal conductors. Flux removes oxides, but if the joint or iron tip is oxidized too much, no amount of flux is going to save you.
Watch some videos on proper technique. Through hole components are actually more difficult than surface mount. They have a bigger thermal mass on the component leads and on the PCB, plus it needs to flow through the via. All that means you have to hold the iron there longer.
Aug 3, 2024 at 5:10amWeb
Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer pointy tips are actually the worst tips to use in most situations. You need contact area between the iron and the pad/component. And area where solder applied directly to the tip will reside. Chisel or hoof tips are much better, you can orient them flat against the pcb and up against the component lead, and they have more surface to hold a blob of solder.
Show threadyezzerAug 3, 2024

@stephlahs i'm currently using this tip - which I think should be OK?

I have flux, sponge, wick, desoldering pump, and this solder (which some forum post pointed me to). I've watched so many videos, and it seems so easy! I have problems either melting the solder or getting it to stick.. What kind of temp should my iron be?

Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer 390-410C for lead free solder. I typically run at 390c.
That tip is good if you use it right. Angled tips might be a little more ergonomic. The idea is to have the flat side of the tip touching the component lead, and typically holding the tip of the iron flat against the PCB. This maximizes heat transfer to the PCB and the lead.
The solder should wet very well against your iron. Let the iron get to temp, wipe it against the sponge, and immediately apply solder directly to it. Continued.
Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer if the solder doesn't immediately melt and doesn't wet onto the iron tip, then you have a problem with either the tip needing to be cleaned, or your solder is no good.
Cleaning the tip can be tricky and sometimes dangerous. My favorite was the motorized cleaners that use brass brushes. Sure you can use a Dremel but it needs to be done while the iron is how, so you'd be flinging hot solder everywhere. Second favorite was a shortened brass brush meant for soldering but they don't last long
Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer one homemade solution I liked was a copper plate that I melted a puddle of solder onto. I'd heat up the puddle of solder with the iron, while scraping the tip of the iron against it (and eventually against the copper, with the iron completely submerged into the solder). Just apply a little bit of flux to the solder first.
Pretty much any method to gently abrade the iron tip while it's hot will work. Afterwards, you immediately wipe it against the sponge and apply enough solder to coat it
Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 3, 2024
@yezzer when you're ready to solder, you'd wipe off the solder on the tip, apply fresh solder, solder the joint, wipe it again, then apply more solder to the tip and immediately do the next joint, or holster the iron.
A little hack is to get something heavy (I used a short M8 bolt with a nut on the end) and wrap a length of solder onto it with the end sticking out. Use that to reapply the solder to the iron tip, and even the solder joints.
Show threadStephanie Loves to MakeAug 4, 2024
@yezzer forgot to mention my favorite channel for soldering iron reviews.
https://youtube.com/@sdgelectronics?feature=shared
They reviewed a lot of the cheap ones. The KSGER PD210 looks really nice for the price.
They also show good soldering technique.
Bevor Sie zu YouTube weitergehen

Show threadyezzerAug 5, 2024
@stephlahs that’s really helpful, thanks! Watched a few vids. Waiting for a Pi Proto hat to arrive, more dodgy soldering in a few days :D