At 04:22 PM 5/29/2008, you wrote: >Thank you very much Cecil. Do you have a good source for that iron? >Is it the SL-10? That iron has tips down to 1/64". What are some >good sizes for SMT work. What should I adjust the adjustable >temperature to? And what other newbie questions about SMT soldering >have I neglected? >
I have the Solomon 939 (I think) which has been around for a long time, I believe, this one is identical, a slightly improved model; < http://www.web-tronics.com/autsolirstat.html > Look around the site, they have other models and brands, the newer ones have a digital temperature display, it has gone up a couple of dollars, and I notice it says 30 seconds, they show the same charts but mine when I bought it claimed 3 seconds and I believe it, after a couple of seconds after I turn mine on the light goes off telling you the element is not receiving power, and it melts the solder just fine. If you buy it from them make sure to ask for the free Digital Voltmeter. < http://www.web-tronics.com/solstat.html > The reason you want a temperature controlled one is that with the non-temperature controlled ones when you turn them down they have a very long recovery time, the temperature dips and it takes a while to recover, you can actually damage parts because it take a while to get to where the temperature will melt the solder and make a good joint. This one and others like it can heat so quickly and not overshoot the temperature so they are at your optimum temperature all the time. The reason you want adjustable is due to the solder you use, different types require different temperatures, I usually use silver solder that requires higher temperature than the old 61%/39% solder, and copper based solder requires even higher temperatures. I tend to use the 1mm tip and rarely change it, because these irons keep the temperature from going to really high levels while they are sitting there the tips last a long time, also because of their quick heating I turn it off if I'm going to be distracted more than 5 minutes. I still have the original tip I bought about 8 years ago and it's in beautiful shape. Cecil K5NWA www.softrockradio.org www.qrpradio.com "Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light."
