[Elecraft] Source and causes of poor solder joints?

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Ron:

>In keeping with this thread I wonder if the tools used are as much at
>fault as the technique?
>
>I use a Weller WTCPN station with 60/40 solder and a fine tip, and
>find that the plated tips seem to "lose" their tinning and have to be
>swiped through the sponge and a bit of solder applied.

As a matter of procedure, I 'swipe' the tip of my iron every time I 
pick it up to solder a joint... though I may solder several 
connections in a single pass (e.g. an IC). I don't use a sponge, 
however. I use a 'curly' stainless steel kitchen pot 'scrubbie' and 
need only to plunge the tip down into the scrubbie to clean it off 
without losing any of the tip temp to the moisture of a damp sponge. 
See: http://www.n0ss.net/soldering_iron_tip_cleaner.pdf

>Given that time has moved on is there a better, moderately-priced
>instrument available for this type of construction?  230v of course ;-)

Though I personally prefer the Hakko 936-x series of T/C irons, I 
can't think of a single reason that the WTCPN should be entirely 
adequate for the job.

> From my own experience I've found that the eyes aren't what they
>used to be and I too find myself going over joints.  Having recently
>invested in an illuminated magnifier lamp I find I don't have to do
>this as much as I used to, but its still a problem.  Is our aging
>profile in the hobby also contributing to this?

To some extend... IF we don't recognize where a little 'help' can be 
used to our advantage, it probably is.

Cheers,

Tom   N0SS