3 Tips for Purchasing a Soldering Station for Home Use

Owning your own soldering station is a freedom electronics enthusiasts can’t afford to pass up. Never again will you have to trek to a friend’s house or a business to use one. You can work on your projects — build computers, modify existing electronics or create electronic parts — on your own time, whenever the need strikes. You might even go from a hobbyist to someone who makes money repairing and crafting electronics for clients. Before you buy, though, take the time to make sure you invest in the best model for your needs.

Digital vs. Analog

Both digital and analog soldering stations have their advantages. Analog are often cheaper than the digital varieties and they’re easy for long-time electronics hobbyists to use if they’re accustomed to them. However, digital makes it easier to get the precise temperature you need for a project, down to the very degree — and it doesn’t typically cost much more than the analog versions. Digital is for enthusiasts with a little more money to invest or the person who’s new to the hobby.

Variety of Tips

If you work pretty much on the same project over and over, you’ll very quickly learn what type of soldering tool tips work best for the project. However, investing in a station that includes a tool with a wide variety of soldering tip options is best if you work on number of different types of projects. For example, sometimes conical tips are what you need for one job, while chisel tips are what you require for another.

Think About Going Cordless  

If your workspace is limited, buy a cordless model that requires recharging between uses. While these models can run out of charge and may not reach the same temperatures the plugged-in models do, they’re far more convenient for the hobbyist who needs every inch of work space for a project.

Soldering stations are less expensive than you might think and are well worth the investment if you’re even remotely interested in electronics. Consider buying more than one — especially if you teach in a classroom — or also buying a portable one so you can take your work with you on the go.

The 3 Best Hakko Soldering Tools and the Advantages of Using Them

If you’re an electronics enthusiast, your soldering tools are never more than a few inches away at your workstation. You come to feel like they’re an extension of your hand. That’s why you may be reluctant to part with them if they’ve been by your side for years, but upgrading your soldering tools every few years — or whenever you find a tool that’ll perform better for you — is a smart idea. You can’t go wrong with Hakko brand tools.

1. Hakko FX-8801

The Hakko soldering iron that works as a replacement for FX-888 and FX-888D solder stations is the FX-8801, the standard 65W tool. Its slim design makes gripping for long periods comfortable and convenient. Pair it with T18-series soldering tips or use the T18-D16 tip that comes with it. The separate heater/tip design that’s part of the corresponding solder station makes using the model more convenient.

2. Hakko FX-601

The adjustable Hakko FX-601 is a must for soldering on the go. With its own power cord, the 67W plug-in tool uses a ceramic eating element to achieve temperatures as high as 1004 degrees Fahrenheit. That means it’s the perfect tool for work on items like a transformer, chassis or large connector. It comes with a T19-D5 tip but is interchangeable with any tips in the T19 series — meaning you can use it for every job from those requiring a conical tip to those suited for chisel tips.

3. Hakko FM2027-06

The 70W Hakko FM 2027-06 soldering iron comes with a stand, a lockable green handle sleeve and a tip cleaner. Although you have to outfit it with your own tips — any from the T15-series will fit — the iron will fit a variety of soldering stations, including the FX-951, the FM-203 and the FM-206.

You don’t have to throw out your current tools yet, but invest in a Hakko tool and give it a try. Once you put it to use, you’ll find you hardly ever reach for your old tools again.

Choosing the Right Soldering Iron for Building Computers

There are various types of soldering irons, all of which produce a wide range of wattage in terms of heat. The amount of wattage you need will depend on the type of project you’re working on. When it comes to building computers, it’s important to select a soldering iron that produces just the right amount of heat — too much or too little wattage could damage the circuit boards. T

Basic Soldering Irons

When it comes to building computers and working on printed circuit boards, a basic soldering iron that’s rated within the 15 W to 30 W range is the best. Any more than this range can cause damage to the components of the computer circuit board.

Soldering Irons With Higher Wattage

That said, there are times when a slightly higher wattage is allowable. Heavier computer components and thicker wires can handle a higher range. In this case, higher wattage soldering irons — which produce 40 W and more — can be used for components such as 10-gauge copper wire and larger heat sinks.

The biggest difference between soldering equipment like irons and guns is the heat source’s size. Soldering irons feature a pinpoint heat source used for precise work; on the other hand, soldering guns are less exact, yet can produce higher wattages as a result of the electrical current that flows directly through the tool.

Solder Types

A solder that is 50 percent tin and 50 percent lead features a melting temperature of 425 degrees F, whereas a solder that is 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead features a melting temperature of 371 degrees F. A further reduced percentage change in favor of tin continues to lower the needed melting temperature.

It’s important to look at the specifications for the iron you select to make sure it can generate the right amount of heat for the type of solder you’re using.

Keep a Quality Cleaner on Hand for Every Soldering Project

Cleaning and maintaining your soldering iron is important to keep it in proper working order for as long as possible. Keeping it clean and safe is easy, and just requires the right soldering cleaner and a little effort.

Tools You’ll Need to Keep Your Soldering Iron Clean

You’ll need a few things on hand to properly clean your soldering iron:

·    Sponge — By rubbing a wet sponge onto a hot soldering iron tip, it will cause the solder to contract at various rates to encourage any solder that might be stuck to the tip to come off.

·    Gritty Sandpaper — Use sandpaper only if you notice that the tip hasn’t been used properly by previous technicians. In this case, make sure to only use it on a soldering iron that’s been allowed to cool off, or you risk igniting the paper.

·    Tip Cleaner — Having a good-quality tip cleaner on hand, such as those provided by StellarTechnical.com, will help ensure the tip is properly cleaned and maintained at all times.

Cleaning or Tinning Your Soldering Iron

If the iron is still hot, you’ll notice “rosin” on the tips, which are simply brown deposits. Take your wet sponge and wipe it until the deposits are removed (make sure you are not directly holding the sponge for safety purposes). If the iron is cold, it might not heat up properly, which is where the gritty sandpaper comes in. Lightly scuff the tip using the sandpaper until you notice the tip regaining its luster again. All you’re doing is oxidizing the metal, not removing it.

Once the iron has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s a good idea to tin the tip. To do this, you’ll need a tinning compound, which is available at StellarTechnical.com. Just make sure that the soldering iron is set to a low temperature because you want the iron to be able to cool down rather quickly in order to avoid frying the solder onto the tip.

A well-maintained soldering iron will give you years of service, especially if it’s high quality. The type of soldering accessories and cleaners you use will help keep your iron in pristine condition for many years to come.