Simple Solder Question

Discuss tool-related stuff including soldering irons/technique, multimeters, etc.
Sprockett
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 12:39 pm
Been thanked: 1 time

Simple Solder Question

Post by Sprockett » Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:25 pm

What wattage iron are most people using to solder to the PI?

I have one that does 40 and 20, but 20 doesn't even come close to melting the solder, but that seems like a good choice when soldering to the PI. Is there solder for a lower tempurature?

Thanks

murdurturtle
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 2:01 pm
Has thanked: 3 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by murdurturtle » Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:13 pm

I'm not really sure what the wattage of mine is.. im using a hakko fx-888d at 650f. its well worth the modest investment if you do a fair amount of soldering.

User avatar
Fleder
Posts: 849
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 9:04 am
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 258 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by Fleder » Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:19 am

Mine has got 48W. You should consider settling around this, so your soldering tip does not get colder if you solder something.
With only 20W, for instance, your tip may drop in temperature if you touch something else and will not be able to melt the solder anymore.

Of course there are exceptions, but this is a good rule of thumb.

Sprockett
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 12:39 pm
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by Sprockett » Thu Jun 02, 2016 7:25 am

Fleder wrote:Mine has got 48W. You should consider settling around this, so your soldering tip does not get colder if you solder something.
With only 20W, for instance, your tip may drop in temperature if you touch something else and will not be able to melt the solder anymore.

Of course there are exceptions, but this is a good rule of thumb.
I've been doing 40, my concern was heating up the other parts could damage them, it's hard sometimes to get into those really tight spaces...

Thanks
-Paul-

User avatar
Fleder
Posts: 849
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 9:04 am
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 258 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by Fleder » Thu Jun 02, 2016 7:46 am

Sprockett wrote:I've been doing 40, my concern was heating up the other parts could damage them, it's hard sometimes to get into those really tight spaces...

Thanks
-Paul-
I had the same concerns. But for now, i haven't damaged anything yet.

User avatar
wermy
Site Admin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Tue May 03, 2016 8:51 pm
Has thanked: 620 times
Been thanked: 1322 times
Contact:

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by wermy » Thu Jun 02, 2016 7:46 am

I use 40w. The trick is to work fast so you don't have to leave the iron pressed against anything too long. It seems a little counterintuitive, but a slightly thicker tip on your soldering iron can help with this because there is more surface area to quickly transfer heat to the solder and melt it. I used to be all about super thin/pointy tips, but a while back I tried a little thicker one, and I haven't looked back. :)
ImageImageImageImage

TheMaddModder
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 11:46 pm
Has thanked: 2 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by TheMaddModder » Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:01 am

I actually use a 15w iron with an extremely fine tip but that's because I was very new to this when I bought it years ago.

If you are new with soldering I would probably go a little lower until you get used to the process.

User avatar
wermy
Site Admin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Tue May 03, 2016 8:51 pm
Has thanked: 620 times
Been thanked: 1322 times
Contact:

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by wermy » Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:02 am

Moving to Tools section. :)
ImageImageImageImage

Robvp
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 10:53 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by Robvp » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:44 am

I'm using a 30w iron that I had lying around, it does a fine job melting the new solder but can't melt the solder already on the pcbs, I had to use plyers to remove the IC from the LCD controller board

User avatar
Ganreizu
Posts: 552
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 8:20 am
Has thanked: 168 times
Been thanked: 97 times

Re: Simple Solder Question

Post by Ganreizu » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:47 am

Robvp wrote:I'm using a 30w iron that I had lying around, it does a fine job melting the new solder but can't melt the solder already on the pcbs, I had to use plyers to remove the IC from the LCD controller board
You should be able to. I melt applied solder with a 25w iron just fine, did you try adding new solder to it?

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest