[Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build

[G. Beat]

Chris -

 WHAT IS SOLDER?
Solder is a metal alloy consisting of distinct percentages of two or more 
metals. In electrical work, the alloy is usually tin (Sn) and lead (Pb). 
However, Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn), and Antimony (Sb) are used for special 
soldering alloys. Solder that uses lead has a lower melting point than pure 
lead. However, some solders contain no lead.


  a.. Each alloy composition has unique characteristics, eg., melting point, 
hardness, and solid-to-liquid transition properties, and may or may not be 
eutectic.

  a.. A eutectic alloy is a composition of one or more metals that has one 
sharp melting point and no intermediate "plastic" stage. Non-eutectic 
compositions have a semi-liquid temperature range where the metal can be 
"worked" due to its plastic nature.
For example lead has a melting point of 621 OF (327 OC) and tin melts at 450 
OF (232 OC).

Alloying 63% tin with 37% lead forms a EUTECTIC that melts at 361 OF (183 
OC). NOTE: that this particular alloy's melting point is lower than either 
of the parent metals.

Please do not make the common mistake with your new adjustable temperature 
soldering station.
(Weller WES51, Hakko 936-12, Solomon series from Taiwan)

Temperature is ONE of THREE aspects for good soldering.
SIZE, PROFILE and TEMPERATURE

Soldering Iron Tip - The tip should be small enough so that the joint being 
soldered can be easily seen, but large enough to quickly transfer the heat 
required to raise the joint temperature to the solder melting point.   I 
prefer the prefer a chisel (screwdriver) tip profile between 1/16" and 1/8" 
(ETA, ETB, ETC) across the spade for general purpose soldering.  Smaller 
tips are available and required for small pads and surface mount components. 
The larger tip provides more heat for large connectors, lugs and large size 
wire as well as for desoldering using desoldering braid or solder pump.
a..  0.020" dia. (25 gauge/.05 cm) rosin core or smaller - Very small. 
Excellent for soldering very small printed circuit (PCB) board pads and hand 
soldering surface mount components. Too small for a general purpose bench 
solder. It can take excessive heating time to apply sufficient solder to 
larger joints. I keep both a .020 and .031 1 lb roll at the workbench..

http://engr.nmsu.edu/~etti/fall97/electronics/solder.html

The WES51 comes standard with the ETA - 1/16" screwdriver tip.
I highly suggest all owners also have the ETB - 3/32" screwdriver profile 
tip.
The ETB works very well with switches, connectors and large pads on PC 
boards.
When I use this tip, I can often reduce my temperature to from 700 to 650 
degrees

AVOID going above 750 degrees with very small tips -- significantly reduces 
tip life and requires frequent tip cleaning.

w9gb


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Koaps" <koaps at yahoo.com>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:47 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build


> Hi Guys,
>
> I'm getting ready to start in on my KX1 build but one
> thing I'm a bit stuck on is the setting for my new
> Weller WES51 solder station.
>
> Can anyone using one of these things suggest how I get
> the temp right?
>
> I read the manual that came with it, but it really
> didn't make much sense to me, and I thought it would
> come with something that says set the dial here for
> this temp.
>
> I did get a roll of Kester 44 solder, .020, that was
> suggested in the solder guide, I'm just not sure what
> setting to use on the dial.
>
> Thanks for the help,
> -Chris
>
>
>
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