Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:30:27 -0000, naveedguy2 <naveedguy2@...>  
wrote:

> Can anyone please tell me about different types of solder bits based
> on the material used? Which one is the best one? How can I clean
> dirty bits? I am a newbie, please help me.
> Thanks

There are the "cheap" ones, copper and copper plated with various stuff,  
and the "good" ones, which are copper but have a special plating of  
several layers containing iron as the most important. All solder tips are  
copper inside because it is the best heat-conductor (after silver).

The long-life tips with iron plating will not be eaten away by soldering  
(like copper ones are quickly). Also, you don't need to clean or re-shape  
them (if you do, the plating is gone).
You can easily solder for years with such a tip.
Only cleaning needed is the wiping on a wet sponge during operation. (keep  
a small bottle of water near your iron if you are the lazy kind otherwise  
you will develop a bad habit of wiping the tip with your fingers.)

Of course, the tip must fit into your iron. temperature controlled irons  
beeing the best.

Also, there is tip size, length, and shape.
For "heavy" work, e.g. thick copper cable, you need a thick, short tip  
that can apply heat quickly in big quantities. For soldering small stuff  
you need a narrow tip, and because it needs less heat it can also be  
longer and allow better access in difficult places. the heavier a tip is  
(more material) the better it is suited for stuff like soldering batteries  
(never try button cells they explode).

I regularly use a 3 or 4mm chisel-shape tip, and a 1mm pencil-shape tip.  
You don't really need much more.

Along with the right tip you need the right solder, standard tin/lead  
solder is still used by most. You need solder with a rosin core (flux).  
For standard PCB work i use 1mm or 0.7mm wire, for applications where you  
need more solder i use 3mm (i think).

ST