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01-17-2022, 08:34 PM
Hi Guys
Nauta is correct about the soldering iron inasmuch as the power is the only important aspect: 50-60W is ideal for electronics work regardless of the construction method. Does more power help? Only if you can control the heat.
Conical tips are the best and they or a variant has a small flat area on one side - maybe that is called a "screw driver tip"? In any case, a fine-ish tip and fine solder work best to not overheat components.
Having a variable-output station is also not a requirement. It just happens that what is widely available are stations with variable output. A simple printed dial marking is adequate - no need to spring for a digital display. My soldering station is a Weller WES50. There is an article about soldering PCBs that details universal soldering techniques that will keep you from overheating components.
You can just as easily get fixed-output irons of 50W or 80W and as long as the tip is replaceable and those tips are available, then you are good to go. If you buy something from Aliexpress, say, get a spare and get the tips all at once since their offerings can change in the time it takes to receive the first order.
Have fun
Nauta is correct about the soldering iron inasmuch as the power is the only important aspect: 50-60W is ideal for electronics work regardless of the construction method. Does more power help? Only if you can control the heat.
Conical tips are the best and they or a variant has a small flat area on one side - maybe that is called a "screw driver tip"? In any case, a fine-ish tip and fine solder work best to not overheat components.
Having a variable-output station is also not a requirement. It just happens that what is widely available are stations with variable output. A simple printed dial marking is adequate - no need to spring for a digital display. My soldering station is a Weller WES50. There is an article about soldering PCBs that details universal soldering techniques that will keep you from overheating components.
You can just as easily get fixed-output irons of 50W or 80W and as long as the tip is replaceable and those tips are available, then you are good to go. If you buy something from Aliexpress, say, get a spare and get the tips all at once since their offerings can change in the time it takes to receive the first order.
Have fun
