[Elecraft] SolderingStation Selection

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

That looks like a good choice, Paul.

The temperature range, heat capacity and tip sizes important characteristics
IMO. 

Knob temperature control like the WES51 is extremely useful. Most soldering
is done at 750F and if I use some solder wick to remove solder I bump it up
to 800F to compensate for the heat-sink effect of the wick. 

I use a 1.6mm wide chisel tip for 99% of my pc-board work. The narrow edge
provides a very small "point" for small pads while the wide side works on
most pads - even fairly large pads such as used to mount BNC connectors on
the board. 

For very tight, small spaces a conical tip is good to have. 

I have a HAKKO 936 so I am not personally familiar with the Weller, but good
heat capacity is important to avoid "temperature droop" or cooling of the
tip by cleaning or just soldering a large-than-normal pad. The biggest
danger to your pc boards is "cooking" a trace with the iron for too long.
That will "debond" it from the board underneath and is caused more often by
prolonged heat at lower temperatures than by higher heat for short periods.
I set my temperature and choose the tip so that solder melts within 2 to 3
seconds after the iron is applied. 

Ron AC7AC 

-----Original Message-----
I am waiting for my K2/100 to be delivered.  In the meantime I am deciding
on what soldering station to buy.  On the Elecraft web site there is a
posting to stay away from soldering irons >40 watts and > 850 degrees.
I am looking at a Weller 50 watt and variable temp from 350 to 850 degrees.
It is a model WES51.  Is it ok to use this soldering station on the K2/100?

Tnx,

WN2K

Paul