[Elecraft] Can't wait!

[DolfinDon@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/29/2002 6:05:55 PM Central Standard Time, 
jhisson1@columbus.rr.com writes:


I already have a Weller 35W iron that me and a ham friend here locally
talked about.  I was thinking of getting a soldering station, but from the
advice he gave me (and he is on this list :) it seems to be fine.  Maybe a
new tip.  Can I get by without a circuit board holder?  I will be using an 8
foot folding table myself...


========================================

Hi

Any small soldering iron with a small tip can be used to build your radio. A 
soldering station makes it a little easier to make good solder joints because 
it holds a constant temperature. I used a soldering irons an even a big old 
gun in the days of vacuum tubes and point to point wiring. The soldering 
station has a much better control of the temperature than the soldering iron. 


You can use a lamp dimmer to control a soldering iron temperature, but it is 
open loop and the temperature will change when you wipe the tip on the sponge 
or make several joints. Go slow and give the iron time to come back up to 
temperature after making a joint and don't over wipe the tip cooling the 
iron. A quick wipe on each side is all you need.

Try to get an iron plated tip about 1/32 inch. They last 10 times as long as 
a copper tip. Avoid the long reach tips over 1 inch long. The tip is too far 
away from the heater and it cannot quickly replenish the heat lost in making 
a joint.

I don't use a board holder. I have a shallow cake pan that I rest the larger 
boards on. The small boards, I just hold in my hand. I install several parts 
bend the leads outward so they won't fall off, then flip it over and solder 
and clip the leads. (save the larger diode leads for jumpers and ground test 
points)

The table is fine as long as you can get a good light and chair to fit. Also 
get yourself a good magnifier. About 7 to 10 power

Have fun


Don Brown
KD5NDB

K2 #1808, #2174
K1 #542

K2 #2153-sold
K2 #2468 SSB NB AF in work almost finished, for sale
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