For people using an iron like this, wiring a cheap lamp dimmer in series can
do a lot to extend your tip life.
Try out different settings and then calibrate with a Sharpie or a piece of
duct tape.
Dave
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sduck409
> Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 7:52 PM
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: on soldering
>
> I seriously doubt that my techniques are optimal, but they
> generate great results. One day
> perhaps I will be able to buy a soldering "station", but in
> the meantime I'm using a weller
> WP35 iron, with the ST1 tips (which are cleverly designed to
> last a long time but not as
> long as one would like, but are available cheaply at
> digikey). I use the kester 331 for most
> stuff, just washed with hot water and an old toothbrush.
> Kester 245 for anything thats not
> washable.
>
> I used a rat shack 25 watt iron for the first 2 years I was
> building. The only real problem
> with it was that the tips that fit it only lasted 8-12 hours
> on-time. The weller tips last
> considerably longer.
>
> Solder from the back (non-component) side, leads clipped
> after soldering - no need to get
> too anal about all this. Works. 5 years, and all modules
> constructed this way working
> perfectly - never had a problem with a bad solder.
>
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <steve@...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm glad people started talking about soldering- its a much
> > under-reviewed topic.
> >
> > From discussion with Paul Schreiber as well as my own knowledge from
> > my checkered soldering past I've come to the following technique:
> >
> > PCBs: Kester 331 Organic- and washing with Techspray pure Isopropol
> > Alcohol
> >
> > Pots and jacks: Kester 245 No Clean - no cleaning
> >
> > Soldering Station: Weller WES-51 iron with an ETS 1" conical tip
> >
> > Temp: 700F
> >
> > Was it suit and Tie Guy that said he works at 750F?
> >
> > Anyone else want to suggest optimal technique?
> >
> > Any opinions on soldering from the TOP of the dual sided
> PCB vs bottom?
> >
> > Dwell time?
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
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