[Elecraft] Solder....again.....

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

When all we had available were those soldering irons that heated and heated
until they got too hot, heat sinks were a good thing, but now ...
Yes, a temperature controlled soldering station will do the job without
using heat sinks -- IF the dwell time on the solder joint is not longer that
about 3 seconds (2 is better).  Large size leads may take a bit longer, but
generally those components can stand the abuse.

In case it wasn't covered in the solder tutorial:
If you find it takes longer than 2 to 3 seconds to accomplish a good solder
joint, increase the heat of your iron or use a tip with a larger heat mass.

Wipe the tip of the iron when you remove it from the holder - wiping takes
heat away from the tip, so give it a second or two to come back up to
temperature.  Put the soldering iron in the holder with solder still on the
tip - long term heat without an adequate solder coating will cause the tip
to pit.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 

Seriously.....Please forgive me for being away from electronics since....too
long.... Are we not using heat sinks when soldering components now? It has
been agreed that the temperature controlled iron is all that is needed?

RonP