How to choose the best Soldering iron for you

Are you in search of a new solder iron to buy? At this article we will recommend you what types of solder irons has, to help you choose the right one.

How to choose the best Soldering iron for you Simple Soldering Iron Guide

Are you looking to purchase a solder iron? Most iron tips on the market today consist of a copper core that’s surrounded by iron. That’s the origin of the term ‘iron clad.’ Since solder doesn’t easily stick to the nickel and chrome coating on the end of the soldering tip, the planting is removed to expose the iron cladding. By following some easy tips, you can easily be able to extend the life and functionality of your solder iron and tips:

Always use a quality solder – this goes a long way to making sure that your tip is in great working conditions.

Any impurities found in the metals that make the solder collect on the tip while you work. This way, the tip of the soldering iron works less effectively and degrades the surface. It calls for constant cleaning to keep it working.
Always make sure that you place your soldering iron in an iron stand that’s stable, regardless of whether it’s being used or not.
Avoid using an extension cord. But if necessary, go for one that’s heavy duty.

Make sure that you’re plugging the soldering iron into the right type of outlet – check the voltage to make sure that it’s correct.

Keep checking the cord of your soldering iron for cracks and burns and get a pro electrician to replace worn-out cords before you use them.
Avoid dropping or banging the iron. Ceramic heaters have been known to easily break or crack.
Every once in a while, make a point of removing the tip of the soldering iron and lightly tapping the barrel of wire coiled to get rid of debris.
Don’t let the soldering iron idle at running temperatures for long periods. This could possibly burn out the iron or the element.
By following these easy tips you can ensure the longevity and performance of your soldering iron and soldering tip!

Types of Soldering Irons

Different manufactures Soldering Iron do different kinds of solder iron to manage with various projects. You can find soldering iron tools that emit a massive amount of heat for prompt melting; others deliver a small amount of heats for small jobs. Some soldering irons are designed for use in small openings. Below are the main types of soldering irons available, and their applications.

Simple Iron
This is the most common type of soldering iron;

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That have a different power rating which is ranging between 15 and 35 watts, which is more than necessary to take care of most electronics repair jobs. Manufacturers make simple iron solders to run at a temperature that is regulated by a thermal equilibrium. DIY buffs find simple iron to be a must-have inclusion in their toolbox.

Soldering Station

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Soldering stations are another common type of soldering iron that relies on the electrical power supply, also on the temperature and display control circuitry, not to forget a soldering heat that features a tip temperature sensor. This comprehensive station comes with a stand where the iron can be stored when it’s not in use, as well as a wet sponge that can be used to clean and drip. Soldering stations may also include a vacuum pickup tool, a hot air gun, as well as a vacuum pump that helps with DE-soldering through-hole components.

Soldering Tweezers

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Soldering tweezers are a soldering iron that’s used to desolder tiny surface-mounted components, mostly electronics units that feature two electrical terminals. These work well on most resistors, batteries, diodes and capacitors. They are designed to be either freestanding or operable from a station. Both tweezers have heated tips that can be used to manually control the soldering.

Soldering Gun

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This is a type of soldering iron that is designed to look like a cordless hand drill. Soldering guns are equipped with a rapidly-cooling, wire-looped tip. This way, a soldering gun doesn’t require safe storage or holsters. Most people like this type of soldering iron since it’s easy to use and has a convenient trigger operation.

Soldering Torch

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These types of soldering iron use either propane or acetylene gas, which emits massive heat in short bursts. Soldering torches are commonly used in jewelry projects to melt precious metals such as silver, Gold, and Copper. Soldering torches should be used by qualified electronics professionals, due to safety concerns.

Types of Soldering Iron Tips

There are dozens of different soldering iron tip shapes available. In the same way, there’s a variety of soldering iron sizes available and used in a wide range of applications, from jewelry making to stained glass and plumbing. In this short post, we focus on the three main soldering iron tips, namely conical, chisel and bevel tips.

Chisel Tip

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Featuring a broad tip, this type of soldering iron tip is used to distribute heat to component leads and pads evenly. Chisel tips are useful for soldering wires, big surface-mount components, through-hole components and DE-soldering.

Bevel Tip

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Bevel tips are not as common as conical and chisel tips, they may be used for soldering jobs that need the iron to be pre-loaded with solder. Bevel tips feature a significantly large flat surface that easily holds more solder that the other types of tips. This kind of tip is instrumental when it comes to dragging solder across surface-mounting chips for instrumenting multi-pins at once, and soldering small-gauge wires together.

Conical Tip

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A conical tip is often used in precision electronics works, though they can also be used for general soldering. The pointed tip in this type of soldering iron is important as it helps distribute heat to very small areas.

It’s important to note that different brands have different types of soldering iron tips. Tips for one particular brand might not be compatible with another brand. Be keen to verify that the tips you intend to buy have been made for your precise soldering iron before you go ahead and purchase them. More so, there are unlimited types of specialized tips that are meant for particular jobs – even if they aren’t related to soldering. All in all, though, make sure to do your groundwork before you buy any type of soldering iron tips.

 
We hope that this article “How to choose the best Soldering iron for you” would be great for you.