How Do Flux Remover Pens Work?

When soldering electronics and other metal components, applying flux can drastically improve the strength of the resulting joints. By absorbing impurities and stopping oxidization layers from separating bonding surfaces, fluxes serve crucial functions in electronics, stained glass and other projects.

Many fluxes and other acidic purifying agents have the undesirable drawback of being corrosive over long-term periods. The excess flux applied to a solder joint could potentially contribute to the degradation of a circuit board or component lead. Some inorganic fluxes even incorporate potentially harmful chemical compounds that may irritate skin or act as carcinogens upon inadvertent contact or ingestion.

While certain organically derived rosin fluxes are unlikely to cause too many problems, it's generally best to remove any excess flux from a board as soon as you're done soldering. To make the job easier, flux remover solutions contain special cleaners that neutralize the acids in flux without compromising a solder joint.

Larger PCB manufacturers often apply removers in big batches, but for the common hobbyist or individual professional, flux remover pens are usually the most economical option. Like many flux pens, these precision devices feature spongy tips that let users dispense appropriate quantities of flux remover by hand on a case by case basis. As a result, they're highly popular among those who work with SMD components, reflow ovens and rework stations.

Simple Soldering Projects for Beginners

If you want to become proficient at building computer boards, robots and other high-tech gadgets, you need to learn how to solder. Before moving ahead with anything else, invest in decent soldering supplies. Owning the right tools is just the tip of the iceberg, though. You must learn how to use those tools properly. If you don't have the time or means to get lessons, simple soldering projects are a great place to start.

In terms of convenience, the best way to get going in your soldering education is by investing in some ready-made kits. This eliminates the need to run around finding all the right components, and it gives you plenty of opportunities to practice soldering. Places like RadioShack sometimes carry such kits, but the best way to find a great selection for low prices is by going online. You can buy kits for all kinds of cool things, including robots and simple PCBs.

Another simple and affordable way to test old some soldering projects is by simply investing in an assortment of wires. You can then practice soldering them together in a number of ways to get a good feel for how the process works. The nice thing about this is that you can worry more about form than function. You'll want to move forward to more advanced projects later, though, to make sure your soldering produces effective results.