[HCARC] Soldering Station

[Harvey N. Vordenbaum]

There are several types of soldering you may need in electronics.
Coaxial connectors, small connectors inside equipment, circuit boards, etc.
For small connectors and circuit boards use a soldering station with temperature controlled elements and various sized tips, and a sponge to wipe the tip on.
For coaxial connectors, PL-259's etc. you need a fairly high powered soldering iron with an iron plated diamond shaped tip.  100 - 300 Watts.  Along with this you need an autotransformer so you can control the temperature.  When the melted solder turns blue it is too hot.  A plain copper tip will get eroded by the solder after a while.  You also need a small wet sponge to wipe the tip clean periodically.  Some people use a micro flame torch for soldering connectors and other larger items.  This would take a lot of practice.
A soldering gun is okay if used on the right stuff.  It has the advantage of quick heating and little or no hot element lying around when you get through.
Hv


-----Original Message-----
From: hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary J - N5BAA
Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2014 6:24 PM
To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HCARC] Soldering Station

As many of you know, my brother and an associate buy storage lockers and at auctions in the San Diego area for resale at local flea markets.  He comes up with some amazing radio related stuff.  As my shack and my remodeled shop come together I will be trying to set up a central place to do all of my soldering, electrical work.  I have an old soldering gun, but was thinking of having him be on the lookout for one of the soldering stations.  My gun is a Weller, but I haven’t an idea of their quality.  Who makes good soldering stations and what sort of wattage should I be asking him to watch out for me??

Gary J
N5BAA
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