[R-390] Suggestions soldering info

[k2cby]

Back in the day (late 1950s) when men were made of iron, chassis were made
of zinc-plated steel, and terminal strips were made of Bakelite with ¼ inch
between posts I started my career with a 150-watt American Beauty iron with
a 3/8 inch diamond pointed tip. I still have it, but it doesn’t get much use
today unless I am sweating braid or a ground bus.

The next step up was one of those little Heathkit solder stations with the
built-in (High-Medium-Low) transformer and a low-voltage GE iron. I had two
tips one 35-watter with a 3/8” chisel point and the other 25 watts with a ¼
inch chisel tip. That’s still in use, although the larger tip is starting to
give out.

Lately, I’ve been using the little Weller irons that use handle-heater-tip
cartridge assemblies. I’ve got one with a 1/8 inch chisel tip and another
with a pointed tip that tapers down to nothing which I use on surface mount
parts.

I’ve never tried any of the hot air systems.

In all instances, the secret to good soldering is the combination of clean
parts (I use a stainless steel plater’s brush the size and shape of a tooth
brush – Enco tools), the right heat (I just use a home-brew “motor control”
box with a triac, diac, capacitor and pot – see any 1980 decade Handbook),
and I always tin the parts before I join them.

My only problem lately has been finding solder larger than #18 wire. It’s a
pain in the neck to have to use about 3 feet of the tiny stuff to solder one
microphone plug pin.

 

 

Miles B. Anderson, K2CBY
16 Round Pond Lane
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Tel.: (631) 725-4400

Fax.: (631) 725-2223
e-mail: k2cby at optonline.net