[R-390] Suggestions soldering info

[Glenn Scott via R-390]

Hello Barry,


You are sure to get a lot of opinions with your question. This is kinda of like asking which car should I buy. My 2 cents worth is based on my experience of running 2 electronics companies and about 35 years experience, however, this is just my preferences. I also like GM but you may prefer Ford, the next guy swears by Honda...Hi hi



There is a lot of great stuff on the market these days. In my lab I do everything from point to point work, Printed circuit board work, through the hole and surface mount as well as cables and connectors. I have used Weller temp controlled stations since the early 80's and find them to be excellent for about 75% of what I do. 


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weller-Analog-Soldering-Station-/301271073068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462527c12c


You can spend another $100 and get this station with a temp display but for me and having had a lot of experience, I know approximately where to set the pot when I solder various connections. If I am too low, I just turn the wick up. With the weller series, there is a myriad of tips from what I call the BERTHA or large tips down to small tips to delicate PCB work. 


For the SMT stuff  use a hot air station and a very small tipped Weller solder station. For larger blobs of solder, I have had great results with the Esico 100 watt solder iron. Here is a link for a 50 watt unit by Esico..


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Esico-50-Watt-Industrial-Grade-Soldering-Iron-NOS-/121394107520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c43a71480


As important for PCB solder work is the ability to desolder without tearing or lifting traces. About 3 years ago , I bought a Hakko 808 desoldering gun and it works very well even on solder blobs often found in point to point wiring around terminal post. Occasionally, I will ad extra heat from a second solder gun but usually the 808 is plenty. I posted about this unit recently and several of the other R390 series receiver guys chimed in about their Hakko units in cluding Chick Ripple.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-808-KIT-Desoldering-Kit-with-808-Gun-120-VAC-/271338131301?pt=Electronic_Battery_Windup_Toys_US&hash=item3f2d034f65


Also plan to have some good solder wick for places where you can not stick the 808's nose. ot the cheap stuff from the local Shack store.


You can check on epay and find deals on some of Weller's older stations. I have several from the early 80's that are still running, though I did have to finally replace a heating element on one. Hakko is another excellent company with decent soldering stations.


I have seen a few of the cheap Chinese stations and though inexpensive, I would not own one. There may be some Asian brands that are very good; I just don't know. 
For me, I have used Weller products for decades and very much like their products. As mentioned, I have a few Hakko and Esico products and are pleased with them too.


Good luck es 73,


Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs (dot com)