The Living Soldering Thread

[JPG]

Also, 888D has been ordered! Can't wait!

Wahoo!  Join the club!     I think you'll like it.

I'm sure I will. Looks like a really nice station.

Managed to find some flux & wick. Also picked up some isopropyl alcohol, lint free wipes, an alcohol dispenser, and a bunch of other stuff.

All I need now is a table..

Kitchen table works fine, until you mess up or your parents see you 

[Photekq]

Kitchen table works fine, until you mess up or your parents see you 

What if I don't have a kitchen table? )

(i don't actually have a kitchen table) :|

I want to make one out of MDF and cheap wood but.. effort )

[JPG]

Get one of these (they are sold 50$ near where I live)

http://www.costco.ca/Centre-fold-Resin-Table.product.10344500.html

[tjcaustin]

Kitchen table works fine, until you mess up or your parents see you 

What if I don't have a kitchen table? )

(i don't actually have a kitchen table) :|

I want to make one out of MDF and cheap wood but.. effort )

There's a worktable write up in the earlier part of this exact thread, in fact.

[Photekq]

There's a worktable write up in the earlier part of this exact thread, in fact.

Yeah, I saw that. It's nice. I've already made my primary desk ( as seen here : http://imgur.com/a/32FAJ ), I would probably just downsize it.

[HPE1000]

There's a worktable write up in the earlier part of this exact thread, in fact.

Yeah, I saw that. It's nice. I've already made my primary desk ( as seen here : http://imgur.com/a/32FAJ ), I would probably just downsize it.

Copying logan with that graphics card coaster? 

[HoffmanMyster]

Kitchen table works fine, until you mess up or your parents see you 

What if I don't have a kitchen table? )

(i don't actually have a kitchen table) :|

I want to make one out of MDF and cheap wood but.. effort )

I use a cheap card table that was free to me.  You could easily find something similar at a thrift shop I'm sure, for probably 5 or 10 dollars.  It's not classy or nice by any means, but it gets the job done and folds up real nice for storage and transportation. 

[swill]

Need your opinion...  I spent $50 on this NEW soldering station.  It looks like a rebranded version of this: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19240__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_USA_Warehouse_.html  (the case looks a little different)

I used it once to repair a usb chip.  I pulled it out last night and the power switch seams to be malfunctioning.  When I flip the switch to ON, the light flashes sometimes but it does not come on.  I can hold the tip in my hand to verify it is not warming up.  If I turn the switch ON and OFF about 10-15 times, I can get it to turn on. 

I have emailed the company I bought it from to see if I can get it replaced or get a credit for its value towards another soldering station.

Is this soldering stations usually reliable and do I just have a lemon here?  Is it worth my while to move to a better brand like Weller? 

[damorgue]

Need your opinion...  I spent $50 on this NEW soldering station.  It looks like a rebranded version of this: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19240__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_USA_Warehouse_.html  (the case looks a little different)

I used it once to repair a usb chip.  I pulled it out last night and the power switch seams to be malfunctioning.  When I flip the switch to ON, the light flashes sometimes but it does not come on.  I can hold the tip in my hand to verify it is not warming up.  If I turn the switch ON and OFF about 10-15 times, I can get it to turn on. 

I have emailed the company I bought it from to see if I can get it replaced or get a credit for its value towards another soldering station.

Is this soldering stations usually reliable and do I just have a lemon here?  Is it worth my while to move to a better brand like Weller? 

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

If you read my post one one or two pages back I give a quite detailed description of it, and also what is likely wrong with yours. I fixed one of mine which had similar symptoms. The solder joints in the pen are likely quite bad. Do you have something else you can solder with to fix it?

[MJ45]

I know that some may have a tight budget but some of these clones are not worth it in the long run. You are better off buying a quality name brand ( Haako, Weller, ect.) for a dependable soldering station for a little more. 

[swill]

If you read my post one one or two pages back I give a quite detailed description of it, and also what is likely wrong with yours. I fixed one of mine which had similar symptoms. The solder joints in the pen are likely quite bad. Do you have something else you can solder with to fix it?

Perfect thank you.  I will wait till they get back to me before I start taking it apart.  Good to know that I should start by testing the pen.  I would not have started there...

I am going to see if I can return it and have them credit the value if the one I bought towards a Weller WES51.  I hate owning crap tools, its not worth it.  It will cost a lot more, but at least I know what I am getting...

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

[jalli]

One thing I don't see listed here are SMD Flow tips (Well based), these can be a bit hard to come by in some countries due to patents and such but they are really handy for SMD work:

Hakko has BCM/CM series but I have not seen them in North America, you can buy the aftermarket Plato ones though:
Plato HS-0531 / HS-0530: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12244824029415007260

Here is a youtube video showing the use of a flow tip:

[Photekq]

One thing I don't see listed here are SMD Flow tips (Well based), these can be a bit hard to come by in some countries due to patents and such but they are really handy for SMD work:

Hakko has BCM/CM series but I have not seen them in North America, you can buy the aftermarket Plato ones though:
Plato HS-0531 / HS-0530: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12244824029415007260

Here is a youtube video showing the use of a flow tip:

http://www.bdent.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bcm
http://www.bdent.com/catalogsearch/result/index/no_cache/1/?p=2&q=bc

They're only for the FM stations though. There are similar ones for the 888D and other irons, but without the solder well in the tip - Shape BC/C

[jalli]

Yeah, if anyone finds a T18 (888D) flow tip please link or give a heads up.

[Photekq]

What do you mean by flow tip? Do you mean one with a solder well? According to the hakko site, those don't exist for the 888D. The BC/C I linked before is the closest you'll get.

[jalli]

Yeah, sorry about the terminology, everyone seems to have different names for tips with solder wells in them.

As far as I understand Hakko ran into some (patent) legal issues with these sorts of tips and that's the reason we can't buy them (they might still be available in other parts of the world, if anyone finds them pls give a heads up/link).

There are however aftermarket(3rd party) tips that will fit the 888d such as the tips that I listed.

Here is the manifacturer link:
http://www.techspray.com/p-132-soldering-tips-hakko.aspx

Here is the datasheet:
http://www.techspray.com/controls/techspray.tds/tds.ashx?id=132

[Photekq]

Came today with a few tips aswell as a solder reel holder. Expecting a load of stuff from ebay soon: wick, flux, kimwipes, and some more stuff.
Dancap have a really awful website and you have to pay through bank transfer or cheque. However, their service is very, very good indeed. Would highly recommend anyone in the EU/UK using them!




I really love the colours of this thing. It feels very high quality too, looking forward to using it!

[MJ45]

Came today with a few tips aswell as a solder reel holder. Expecting a load of stuff from ebay soon: wick, flux, kimwipes, and some more stuff.
Dancap have a really awful website and you have to pay through bank transfer or cheque. However, their service is very, very good indeed. Would highly recommend anyone in the EU/UK using them!

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I really love the colours of this thing. It feels very high quality too, looking forward to using it!

Your all set now the Hakko's are a great, the best in their price range. I love using the one I have.   

[meiosis]

When soldering the super small SMD components do I need soldering flux?
:|

[HoffmanMyster]

Came today with a few tips aswell as a solder reel holder. Expecting a load of stuff from ebay soon: wick, flux, kimwipes, and some more stuff.
Dancap have a really awful website and you have to pay through bank transfer or cheque. However, their service is very, very good indeed. Would highly recommend anyone in the EU/UK using them!

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I really love the colours of this thing. It feels very high quality too, looking forward to using it!

Did you get a new camera recently too?    

Regardless, lookin good!!  I'm positive you'll enjoy it.

[jalli]

If you need to ask this question the answer is YES, there are ways to do without but in general flux can always be cleaned off and it's better to have to much than to little.

If you are just soldering 2 pole SMD parts (resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc) you can use fine rosin core flux, if you are doing anything with a larger pin count and fine pins  extra flux becomes necessary unless the components are all brand spanking new and don't have any oxide on them (factory new).

When soldering the super small SMD components do I need soldering flux?
:|

[Photekq]

Did you get a new camera recently too?    

Regardless, lookin good!!  I'm positive you'll enjoy it.

Haha, no. I just took the photos while the sun was out so the lighting was good.

[HPE1000]

So, anyone remember how long the yihua 936 took to get to them? Shipping was around 16 dollars and I didn't get a tracking number..

[Dgsbllx]

Photekq, nice pictures. I'm thinking of purchasing an fx888d also, and dancap looks as good as any place to buy from. Will just the T18-B tip that it comes with be enough to start soldering a phantom? or do I need others?

[Photekq]

Photekq, nice pictures. I'm thinking of purchasing an fx888d also, and dancap looks as good as any place to buy from. Will just the T18-B tip that it comes with be enough to start soldering a phantom? or do I need others?

I would get a T18-D16 or T18-D24 for soldering a phantom. The stock tip isn't a chisel tip, so it wouldn't be very good for soldering a keyboard.

[esoomenona]

I know it's been suggested since the first page, but why are chisel tips preferred to the pointed ones?

[HPE1000]

I know it's been suggested since the first page, but why are chisel tips preferred to the pointed ones?

I believe chisel tips have better heat transfer.

[Dgsbllx]

Photekq, nice pictures. I'm thinking of purchasing an fx888d also, and dancap looks as good as any place to buy from. Will just the T18-B tip that it comes with be enough to start soldering a phantom? or do I need others?

I would get a T18-D16 or T18-D24 for soldering a phantom. The stock tip isn't a chisel tip, so it wouldn't be very good for soldering a keyboard.

Cheers I'll send them an email tomorrow 

Do the same tips apply for an ergodox?

[Photekq]

Photekq, nice pictures. I'm thinking of purchasing an fx888d also, and dancap looks as good as any place to buy from. Will just the T18-B tip that it comes with be enough to start soldering a phantom? or do I need others?

I would get a T18-D16 or T18-D24 for soldering a phantom. The stock tip isn't a chisel tip, so it wouldn't be very good for soldering a keyboard.

Cheers I'll send them an email tomorrow 

Do the same tips apply for an ergodox?

Yes, although it may be worth getting a D12 or D16 since I believe there is some trickier soldering on the ergodox.

I know it's been suggested since the first page, but why are chisel tips preferred to the pointed ones?

It enables faster heat transfer.

[Dgsbllx]

Thanks a lot 

[Photekq]

Thanks a lot 

No worries. Any time

[HPE1000]

So does this(the tip) look like it will be thick enough to desolder with? I think so, but I know nothing lol

[Photekq]

Are you able to desolder it within two seconds of placing the iron on the joint? If so, it's fine.

[HPE1000]

Are you able to desolder it within two seconds of placing the iron on the joint? If so, it's fine.

I don't know, soldering iron has not shown up yet. 

[Photekq]

Are you able to desolder it within two seconds of placing the iron on the joint? If so, it's fine.

I don't know, soldering iron has not shown up yet. 

Ah right. What iron is it, and what's the diameter of the tip?

[HPE1000]

Are you able to desolder it within two seconds of placing the iron on the joint? If so, it's fine.

I don't know, soldering iron has not shown up yet. 

Ah right. What iron is it, and what's the diameter of the tip?

Yihua 936, the tip is 1.6.

[Photekq]

Yihua 936, the tip is 1.6.

I reckon that'll be fine. If you find that it takes a long time to melt the solder then maybe get a 2.4, which is what I used when I had a yihua.

Take a look at this :

t=18m35s

[BakaPhoenix]

In the first post as a under 50$ soldering iron there is a weller station...
In italy there is a model called LAFAYETTE SSR-5 that looks similar to the weller:

http://www.ebay.it/itm/261230496152?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (sorry if the link is in italian)


Are they the same soldering iron with different brand?
I can safely take it?

Thanks

p.s. that weller i can't find it in italy XD(i find some other model at 100 €)

[HPE1000]

So I got the yihua 936 a couple days ago, it worked really good and I think I did a great job for my first time soldering. I changed my cherry mx blues to ghetto greens and stickered them. Everything worked and I didn't have any problems

Thanks!

[Melvang]

So I got the yihua 936 a couple days ago, it worked really good and I think I did a great job for my first time soldering. I changed my cherry mx blues to ghetto greens and stickered them. Everything worked and I didn't have any problems

Thanks!

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Gratz on the successful mod job

[BakaPhoenix]

On what temp I need to set my solder iron to solder/desolder LED?

[tjcaustin]

On what temp I need to set my solder iron to solder/desolder LED?

Keep it to right at the temperature to melt the solder you're using.  63/37 usually is around 380*F

[BakaPhoenix]

On what temp I need to set my solder iron to solder/desolder LED?

Keep it to right at the temperature to melt the solder you're using.  63/37 usually is around 380*F

Since iwant to change some switches on a keyboard with led (CM storm Quickfire tk), do you know aproximatively the temp for that?

Thanks

[tjcaustin]

On what temp I need to set my solder iron to solder/desolder LED?

Keep it to right at the temperature to melt the solder you're using.  63/37 usually is around 380*F

Since iwant to change some switches on a keyboard with led (CM storm Quickfire tk), do you know aproximatively the temp for that?

Thanks

Same thing, you want the solder to just get hot enough to melt and nothing more.

[Melvang]

Although to hot can be more forgiving than to cold.  Reason being if it is to hot it will just melt quicker and you can get the solder sucked up and out a touch quicker.  If it is to cold then you have to sit there and wait for the solder to melt while that heat moves up the pin for the switch and could start melting stuff in the switch.

[BakaPhoenix]

Although to hot can be more forgiving than to cold.  Reason being if it is to hot it will just melt quicker and you can get the solder sucked up and out a touch quicker.  If it is to cold then you have to sit there and wait for the solder to melt while that heat moves up the pin for the switch and could start melting stuff in the switch.

So, you are saing that if you put an higher temp there is less time to let the heat travel all the way to the switch/LED?

[Melvang]

Correct but you since the amount of heat at the joint is higher you need to be much quicker in getting the solder out or bad things can happen quicker. 

Edit:  Also keep in mind that the temp suggestions already given here are for leaded solder which melts much lower than lead free solder.  If desoldering a stock board you will need to turn the heat up anyway due to pretty much all companies using lead free solder to make an attempt to be RoHS compliant.

[BakaPhoenix]

300° C for 2-3 will be fine? or it too much?

[Melvang]

Can't help you there sorry.  I just don't have a lot of experience with desoldering.  I just understand the mechanics and then physics behind it.

[Pacifist]

I'm really confused. In order to only solder in ~50 switches, and not desolder, what do I need? Do I need the wick and a soldering iron or just an iron? And are there any cheaper irons? How about this? http://www.amazon.com/60-Watts-Soldering-Iron-listed/dp/B0006NGZK0/ref=zg_bs_13837391_1 Going to buy http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=19240.html

Also I will probally buy http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=360-670 http://www.amazon.com/SE-MZ101B-Helping-Hands-Magnifying/dp/B000RB38X8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1383887070&sr=8-8&keywords=soldering+iron(its cheaper on amazon), the helping hands, which will help with lubing switches and soldering.

So just need to solder in switches, all the other tooling will be pre done. What's the cheapest things I need to do so? what other stuff besides the yihua do I need to buy?