that's certainly one approach. I think you will find a ground tip
wont last that long. I went through a succession of cheap irons and
finally got a temperature controller soldering station (hakko - $90
including tax) and a couple of fine tips. very glad I did. You can
get similar new for 70-80 and maybe cheaper if you shop around.
here's a used hakko on ebay (same model I got) for about your price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3803309151&category=58293 These come up a lot on ebay.
They have a lot of tips (including very fine ones) for around $5 each.
I really encourage you to not skimp on an iron - a good one will last
a long time. cheap out and not only will soldering be harder but you
will replace it in a year or less.
By the way, there is a technique for soldering qfps and other fine
pitch devices that doesn't use a fine tip iron - you just slather on
the solder and use wick to clean the bridges. People claim to have
gotten good enough to not require any wick. I found it by googling
for the obvious keywords.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Jeremy Taylor" <jt@j...> wrote:
> Get a cheap iron and grind the tip
> Or the "economy" weller station can use the full line of st tips,
but that
> be closer to 60-70 w/shipping.w/ a extra tip
> http://www.mouser.com/catalog/617/1183.pdf
> (at the bottom right of the page)
>
> JT
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Moore" <pminmo@c...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 9:55 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Fine soldering iron
>
>
> > Want to hand solder 44pin qfp's. Need a new soldering iron that
> > won't break the bank. (less than $50). Suggestions?
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
files:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >