Soldering Iron / Station

Beav · Post by **Beav** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:39 pm

Hi,

i'm looking at getting my first soldering iron/station. I'm not sure if to spend a little extra and just go for the station with a heat gun instead?

I do computer repairs but haven't really got into soldering so it's something that would potentially be used to expand my business services as well (hence just getting a station with a heat gun from the start).

Thanks

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:22 pm

Your implication is that you will (may) be replacing components on PC boards..... I hope you have a real appreciation of what's involved not to mention the requirement to resolve motherboard faults to component level!

If those skills are in your possession then you really need a hot air re-work station as well as a decent temperature controlled iron and to be looking at a few £100 (minimum) to get something worthy of the task - plus all the associated rework tools for the various SMD packages.

Look to Farnell or RS Components to get a decent model. The cheap Chinese knock-offs might be ok to get you started but 'buy cheap, buy twice' usually fits this situation.

Figure on needing a digital or optical magnification system too.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:39 pm

I would also have to ask (since I do not know you) How are your diagnosis skills? are you confident to be able to say which chip has failed? From a fun view yes it may be fun to change a chip, but from a time/money POV can you not change the board quicker?

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:48 pm

If the OP can diagnose a fault to board level then the parts to fix it are not usually very expensive although some may have supply sourcing issues....... but working on multi-layered (sometimes 16 or 32 layers!) isn't for the feint-of-heart and it's very easy to create more problems than you cure.

The pro's on Youtube make it look easy but it takes a lot of practise to get that good - and that's before diagnosing the fault and if that fault is of a digital nature (rather than a simple supply rail issue - most faults usually are though) then the test equipment required to monitor a 32 or 64 bit databus isn't an everyday purchase.......

Nothing wrong with acquiring this kind of repair kit (a decent reworking/soldering station can, in the right hands, fix a LOAD of consumer product issues) but it's the diagnosis-to-component level that is the stumbling block for many.

idkhow2diy · Post by **idkhow2diy** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 12:57 pm

Take a look at https://www.circuitspecialists.eu - I have their 75W soldering station and a range of bits. They do hot air stuff too but I've yet to need that (I do have a reflow station off eBay - Chinese made but actually not naff). You also need to consider ESD protection - the Circuit Specialists kit I have is protected but you need to sort out your workspace too so you're not zapping stuff to death after walking across the carpet. And as mentioned a magnifier - I use ones that fit over my specs though for teeny stuff I just use the magnifier. And decent lighting. Also, watch out for splatter if you're close to the work (I'm very short sighted which has the advantage that I can focus very close up but the disadvantage that puts me too close to hot stuff)

Add a decent solder sucker and a roll of solder wick braid stuff... and very fine solder if you're soldering SMD components - I use 0.3mm or 0.5mm or so.

Beav · Post by **Beav** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:00 pm

Thanks guys.

Main use would be for replacing the DC connector on the motherboard (if it's on the board and not on its own cable connected to the board). LIke mentioned above chips on the board etc it would be cheaper for the customer and less time consuming to replace the whole board in most cases.

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:45 pm

You need a soldering station that has a considerable 'heat sink' capability i.e. a soldering bit that can hold a decent amount of heat that is required to melt solder across a large pad, quickly but not by being too hot. A station that can output around 60-80W would be appropriate, temperature controlled of course. Nothing like the 'slim pencil' types that seem common these days.

Interchangeable bits of course.

£50 should cover it although you can buy a lot cheaper if cost is an issue - bear in mind the availability of spares (tips) etc as the cheaper versions may be lacking in that department.

RS Components aren't the cheapest sellers around but they have a reasonable selection such as this:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solderin ... ns/2024512

No digital readout (which is irrelevant - usually just fancy frippery in many examples) but if you want that facility then it's not a lot extra to pay.