Soldering Irons.

[billy_idle]

Almost a year later I will be getting a soldering iron (at last!), some time in the next few weeks. I really like the look of the one below, it takes T-18 series tips and is ESD (electrostatic discharge) safe.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/hakko-fx-888d-70w-mains-solder-station-a86uf

Now I just have to work out what tips to get so I can solder really fine bits like a resistor on a DNA200 board as below (any suggestions welcome!)

Also, what type of solder would be good to use? I imagine some fine solder and a fine tip would be needed for that. And maybe Multicore Loctite Spot-On Solder Mask ? I have a magnifyer light so I will be able to see what I'm doing lol.

 

[Simon G]

I can solder ..... but I wouldn't even attempt to solder tiny surface mount components (SMD's) like that .... I do know a couple of people that do but you'll need a very small needle tip and a lot of patience and practice, it's a totally different world to through hole components.

 

[eyeball kid]

I can solder ..... but I wouldn't even attempt to solder tiny surface mount components (SMD's) like that .... I do know a couple of people that do but you'll need a very small needle tip and a lot of patience and practice, it's a totally different world to through hole components.

You are not wrong. You can't use to powerful an iron either. You just want it warm enough to melt the solder or you will fry everything around it.

 

[Simon G]

You are not wrong. You can't use to powerful an iron either. You just want it warm enough to melt the solder or you will fry everything around it.

yeah, you'll lift the traces off that pcb without any effort too.

 

[billy_idle]

Thanks for the advice. That's a shame as I wanted to have a fire button that lights up and a resistor
needs to be added there to do it. Oh well.