New to list SOLDERING

[Harry Bissell]

I use an Ungar Imperial handle with a 45 watt, non temp controlled element.
1/8"
chisel tip. I have no problem handling all pitchesdown to .1" (dip IC). I use
the side
for the fine stuff, and the flat for the heavy stuff...

I have used this for the last 20 years. I have been through two or three
tips. Tips that big don't burn out easily.

The holder I use has a min-box on the base, with a triac circuit. Full heat,
or "less" heat
switch selectable. I use the low heat for idle, switch to high for work.

I NEVER use a sponge to clean the tip... I have a fixture with 2 bristle
brushes that face each other... just about an iron tip width apart. One swipe
down and the tip is clean...
never have a corrosion problem. It doesn't take "all" the solder away so the
tip doesn't
oxidize.  If anyone is interested I'll sketch this thing and you can DIY your
own. It is one of the neatest bench accessories, and beats flipping solder on
the floor...

In closing... its not the tool... but the SKILL. There's no substitute for
making a few thousand solder joints to get started. I also use the "good
stuff" at work... but a good
solder/rework station is the price of a ProOne. Follow me ???

Newbies.  Get some old Tape Decks, Radios, etc... and take them apart to get
skill, then
put them back together. You will QUICKLY learn how much heat foil will take
before
it delaminates...

And remember "Bob Pease" likes a big hot iron too.  More heat and less time
is a good thing.

H^)  harry  <soapbox mode off>

Michael Buchstaller wrote:

> >> - a decent soldering iron of 30 - 70 Watts
> >
> >If this is an iron without temperature regulation, this is IMHO way too
> >much power for doing PCB soldering. 15 W or 20 W is fine. Much better is
>
> Of course i think "decent" means with temperature regulation.
>
> >the like. I have mine for 20 years now :-)
>
> Im am using my Weller WTCP-S for 16 years so far.
> (i think it has around 60 W or so)
>
> -Michael Buchstaller