Using Soldering Irons to Create Art

Soldering irons can be used to create art ranging from stained glass to sculpture. Choosing the right soldering tools for each project is essential, and variables include skill level, materials and desired results. Here we describe three of the most common ways to use soldering in art:

• Stained glass - Stained-glass artists use soldering irons to create everything from earrings to window-sized panels. This is a challenging skill to learn; it requires time and patience along with high-quality flux and at least a 100-watt soldering iron.
• Jewelry - Soldering irons can be used to shape jewelry and add stones, gems and detail work. The metals used in soldering jewelry require an open flame and temperatures of up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure your equipment is up to par before starting a jewelry project.
• Sculpture - Soldering is ideal for creating small wire or pipe sculptures and is useful for details on more heavy-duty metal pieces. A good eye for design is the most important element here, and creating a wire sculpture is possible with even the most basic soldering setup.

Soldering is easy to learn with some practice, and the range of art you can create is impressive. Different materials require different soldering tools, but a 100-watt iron can get you started on several fun projects.

Choosing the Right Soldering Irons for Music Instrument Repairs

Serious musicians need basic soldering skills. Learning simple soldering helps in countless situations—including building cables to suit your needs and changing pots and jacks. Soldering irons are especially useful in guitar repair, and they can save you a lot of money while extending the life of your instrument.

For basic guitar soldering and soldering on most other instruments, you’ll need a 30-watt iron and a smaller 15-watt iron. The 30-watt is good for inside an instrument’s body, and the 15-watt is tiny enough for detail work in stompboxes, PCBs and other tight spaces. A chisel tip is a good starting point and should serve you well for most work. As for flux, avoid the plumbing or paste flux you might have on hand already and invest in rosin-flux cored solder (60/40, lead/tin). This flux works like a charm on most instruments.

Once you’ve got the correct soldering irons and flux, consider getting some accessories to make your work easier. A soldering stand with an attached sponge will make cleaning and maintaining your iron and tip much simpler. Needle-nose pliers, a de-soldering pump, and a “third hand” is also invaluable for soldering jobs ranging from basic to expert. These parts aren’t necessary, though, and you can get started learning soldering for musical instruments with just a couple of irons and the right flux.