Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solder....again.....

Thu Aug 28 17:38:01 2003

Heh it's worth =A34 to me to remove the risk of scorching my fingers on a 360=
C
soldering tip ;-) Not to mention it takes up less space than a stack of
paper towels and isn't as wasteful.

Edward

On 28/8/03 2:04 pm, "David A. Belsley" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I quite agree that a sponge (at least a wet sponge) cools the iron and
> makes the job harder.  However, one needn't look beyond a simple paper
> towel (a good ol' Bounty, for example) to do the cleaning job.  A quick
> swipe or two across the towel somewhat bunched up (to prevent your finger=
s
> from getting burned) does a beautiful job of cleaning the tip, and, when
> done quickly, the towel barely starts to scorch.
>=20
> best wishes,
>=20
> dave belsley, w1euy
>=20
> --On Thursday, August 28, 2003 10:09 AM +0100 "Kenworthy, Edward (EDS)"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>=20
>> I think the original question askers point is being missed. He's in the
>> same position I was a few months ago: is interested in a K2, is looking =
to
>> improve his soldering skills but hasn't yet decided to actually go ahead
>> with the K2 at all. And he's concerned that using an uncontrolled iron
>> isn't giving him very good results.
>>=20
>> I thought I'd throw my 2p worth in.
>>=20
>> The difference between using a t/c iron and an uncontrolled iron is like
>> night and day. Using an uncontrolled iron I could solder perhaps 1-3
>> joints before having to wait for it to heat up again. It was slow, and i=
f
>> I started to try and rush then I produced more joints that I at least ha=
d
>> to go back an re-check if not re-solder.
>>=20
>> So I went and bought an inexpensive 40W t/c iron. What a difference! I c=
an
>> keep soldering until my arm drops off, only pausing to clean the tip aft=
er
>> every 4 or 5 joints. Every joint is bright and shiny and, using a small
>> bit as recommended, I haven't gotten solder anywhere it shouldn't be.
>>=20
>> So I would definately buy a t/c iron right away - it'll definately give
>> you the confidence to go for a K2.
>>=20
>> I would add as my own tip - do not use a sponge to clean your iron's tip=
.
>> Firstly it's messy and I find actually a pain to get the tip clean and
>> second it cools the iron. Instead invest in a metal cleaner - basically =
a
>> little pot with what looks like a brass brillo pad in it. Stick tip in,
>> pull tip out - perfectly clean tip. Makes tinning the tip extra easy -
>> metal a blob of solder on the tip, stick it into the brillo pad, pull it
>> out and voila a perfectly tinned tip.
>>=20
>> I'd never go back to an uncontrolled iron.
>>=20
>> Edward
>>=20
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>=20
>=20
>=20
> ----------------------------------
> David A. Belsley
> Professor of Economics
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