Description of devices and tools that are required for soldering. The main aspects when choosing tools and devices.

As they say, a real owner should be able to do a lot, including soldering. I do not argue that it is not easy to solder complex boards, knowledge, practice, expensive devices and tools must be present. But in a household where something elementary needs to be fixed, special skills and expensive soldering devices and tools are not needed. We will not talk about that today, but we will just remember what you need to have from tools and devices.

Electrical Tester

The tester (otherwise it is also called) is a very useful thing. They determine the presence of breaks, measure the voltage and resistance. In our case, it is worth choosing an inexpensive tester with a small set of functions.

Soldering iron stand

Since the main soldering unit heats up to 300 degrees, a stand for it is a very useful thing. I advise you to get one immediately after buying a soldering iron. I didn't, and ended up with a burnt table and a few melted objects. It is inexpensive, but I did not spend money on the purchase of this item, I went the other way, did a little searching on the Internet, found an excellent simple scheme for making this stand, which I followed, in the end, spending a little time and effort, I saved a little money.

Rosin and solder

Solder is an alloy of lead and tin. Breathing with this alloy is harmful; when soldering, I advise you to ventilate the premises. Used for tinning soldering surfaces.

Rosin is a hardened resin. Breathing in this substance is also harmful. Used to remove oxide films and degrease surfaces.

Soldering tools:

Tweezers is an optional item. Helps to work with small parts, get something out of hard-to-reach places, etc. Tweezers should be taken non-massive with a sharp end, since they can both scrape and pick.

Side cutters... They are used to strip wires. Also, side cutters bite various objects that are softer than iron.

File... This item is needed to cut the soldering iron tip. In our case, it is worth buying a small file.

Screwdriwer set... I think why they are needed, you do not need to tell. It is worth buying a whole set with various attachments. But you don't need to save on a set of screwdrivers, cheap twists are eaten up very quickly and become unusable.

To save time, it is advisable to store all this in one place, in some kind of box, suitcase or bedside table.

I do not argue that this is not the whole list of items that, but the article describes only those that you need to have on the farm. You can buy all this in a store or at a radio bazaar.

The soldering iron is an instrument of increased danger, therefore it must be handled with great care! In addition, soldering produces harmful tin and lead vapors, so before you start five, read this article -. Life is already too short, so we shouldn't deliberately shorten it ourselves!

Today I want to tell you about how you can make a device yourself that will help you facilitate the soldering process ...

Watch the video of the soldering device:

Problems often arise when you need to solder wires or something else and there are not enough hands. You need to hold a soldering iron with one hand, with the other hand hold the workpiece that you want to solder and you also need a hand to hold the other end of the wire that needs to be soldered. Another problem arises when, in addition to these listed "three hands", a fourth is also needed, which will hold a magnifying glass (for especially small details). After analyzing this problem, I came to the conclusion that it can be solved with the help of a homemade device, which will be discussed today.

Let's start with the first problem: "the third hand is the holder"

For our entire structure, you will need small wooden beam. We take two wooden clothespins and, using self-tapping screws, fasten them to our timber as shown in the photo:

We do not tighten the screws very tightly so that we can change the slope of the clothespins.

We solved the first problem. The "third hand" for soldering is ready!

Second problem: where to put the hot soldering iron so as not to spoil the surface of the workplace?

Wire. We bend it as shown in the photo:

Next, on the side of our wooden bar, we make two small holes in diameter that coincide with the diameter of the wire and put the ends of the wire into these holes in the bar. We get this kind of design, on which you can safely put a hot soldering iron:

The design is also good in that it can be folded and thereby save space when storing this device:

The third problem: where to put the solder and rosin?

To solve this problem, we need a small metal lid from under the can. We make a hole to it and fix it on top of the beam using a self-tapping screw:

Fourth problem: when soldering especially small parts, a problem arises when you need to look very closely at the soldering process. For this we need a magnifying glass and a two-wire wire.

We take the wire and tightly wrap our magnifying glass as shown in the photo:

The edge of the magnifying glass should fit exactly between the two strands of the wire (this will allow the magnifying glass to stick very well). Next, we twist the ends of the wire, thereby securing the magnifying glass:

Now we need a "dog" from under a wooden latch, which we screw into a wooden bar with the help of self-tapping screws.

I often have to solder, and sometimes it is not very convenient to do it. Large parts can be squeezed in a vice, but you can't do that with small ones. For this there is a device third hand, but I did not want to buy such a toy in the store, I decided to make it myself from the garbage at hand.

This creation began with a stand. Cut a rectangle out of centimeter plywood:

And I immediately wondered how to fix the bar on the base and then attach horizontal racks to it. For good reason, it was necessary to cut a thread and secure it with a nut, but the necessary die was not found. I had to get out of the situation ...

To secure the stand at the base, I found a bolt with a longitudinal hole. It was smaller than the diameter of the bar, so we had to turn it a little:

To fasten the horizontal struts, I found a long nut (found in Soviet cassette recorders) and carved a bed for it at the end of the bar:

I wanted to fix the nut with a threaded connection, but the drill stubbornly did not want to make a hole in the end, I had to do it this way.

The assembly is ready for assembly:

For the strength of the connection, I put a tube on the bar and made a cut in it:

And he began to solder the nut:

Now let's move on to securing the bolt. We grip the part in a vice and start soldering from above:

The part is ready:

Now what do we need to do? That's right, you need to connect the upright and the base. To do this, I cut out another auxiliary part - a rectangle made of 4mm plywood:

I drilled a hole in the base with a feather drill. I also made holes in the auxiliary plywood backing and found 4 self-tapping screws. Everything is ready for assembly:

The floor is done, the base with the vertical stand is ready. Moving on to the second part - creating horizontal posts, clamps and a magnifying glass.

These metal plates, pins and bolts with washers are the future arms of our device:

To fasten them, I use these bolts with washers soldered to them (for the convenience of unscrewing / twisting):

But I took these details out of the hard disk (magnet stand). I cut the thread with a tap and got nuts that are convenient to tighten by hand:

And the most important thing is the clamps. I soldered the bolts to the ends to secure and rotate around the axis:

We begin to collect the nodes of our mechanism.

Holder No. 1

Details of the node:

Assembly unit:

Holder No. 2

Details of the node:

Assembly unit:

Magnifying glass holder

Details of the node:

Everyone knows that working as a good tool in any business, the process goes faster and more efficiently. This fully applies to electronics. Of course, if a person thoroughly understands a subject, for example, in repairs, or in the production of something, he will be able to do the job with a minimum of tools. But if you plan to do something on a regular basis, you think about how to make this process easier. Finally, it’s just a pleasure to work with a quality tool.

Those who have ever used a soldering station, I think, can compare the process of soldering planar radio components, even if the same transistors in the SOT-23 case with an ordinary soldering iron, and a soldering iron from a soldering station with interchangeable tips. Realizing the need to purchase a tool, even with some material costs, the radio amateur begins to buy little by little everything that he needs for work.

In this article, I will talk about some of the tools that I use when working on the manufacture of electronic devices, and when needed, and when repairing.

Side cutters

Of course, when working, you cannot do without side cutters made of good steel. Often, when soldering, you have to cut, shorten the leads of the parts. Cut the wires of the required length, for jumpers, and for connecting individual blocks, or boards with remote controls located, for example, on the front panel of the amplifier, or some other device.

Straight platypuses

Needed to give the desired shape to the conclusions of radio components. Can be used as side cutters for cutting off solid wires. Stranded wires are inconvenient to bite with them. Also, when assembling the device in the case, it is convenient to hold the nuts with them when tightening.

Hacksaw Blade Cutter

With its help, you can make a board without etching, separating the tracks that are not connected to each other by a groove cut in the PCB foil. This method is available if, of course, the board is simple enough. Also, when repairing, or making changes to the device circuit, sometimes it is necessary to cut the tracks on the printed circuit board. A cutter is also used for this purpose.

Household tweezers, small and large

When soldering, it is convenient to hold the lead of the part with tweezers. As everyone knows, the same resistors get very hot during soldering, and if you hold them with your hands, you can get burned. There are notches on the working part of the sponges of household tweezers, unlike Chinese tweezers, and it is much more convenient to use them.

Hot glue gun

An irreplaceable thing when assembling a device in a case. For example, we need to display LED indication on the front panel. If switches and variable resistors are mounted on the case, and it is not difficult to fix them, it is more and more difficult with LEDs.

It is necessary that during the operation of the device, if we accidentally press on the LED, it does not sink into the case, which will certainly happen even if we insert the LED into the hole “with an interference fit”. And so we turn on the gun to the network, wait 5 minutes, a drop of melted glue, which, when cooled down, will firmly fix the LED, and you're done. Such a pistol costs only 40 rubles in retail stores of Chinese goods in our city “Fix price”.

The only thing is that there is no power cord at all, and after 5-10 times of use it had to be replaced, but this is not a problem for us? The glue sticks themselves cost only 6 rubles per piece, they are enough for a long time.

Needle and file set

When assembling a device in a case, it is often necessary to expand the drilled holes, adjust them to the dimensions we need. For this I use different files and small files. The most common ones are flat, they are used when you need to cut a hole for a switch or button, and round, when adjusting the holes, for example, for a variable resistor shaft, and for the same LEDs.

Needle-nose pliers

Useful when soldering planar radio components to hold them in place during soldering. Otherwise, they are used in the same way as tweezers, but can provide more compressive force if necessary than tweezers. They can be used instead of platypuses, and perform most of its functions.

Conical Aluminum Bar

A useful thing when we need to clean the hole for the output of the radio component in the printed circuit board, filled with solder. Due to the fact that the bar is made of aluminum, the solder does not stick to it during soldering. Most use toothpicks for such purposes, plus this rod is that it is conical, it can be inserted into the hole, even from the back of the board, and by warming up, expand the hole and free it from solder. But be careful not to tear the pins off the PCB while doing this.

Stationery knife

Also very handy for stripping wires from insulation. I will say from my own experience, more than once I had to carry out minor repairs at a visit or with friends when there were no tools at all, except for grandfather's 40 or even 60 wadded soldering iron, and a dull kitchen knife. With its penny cost, it justifies itself 100%.

Desoldering pump

It is needed to remove solder from contacts, when desoldering radio components from printed circuit boards. Allows you to dismantle multi-lead parts without the risk of breaking the contact on the track. With its help, transformers, microcircuits in the Dip corus and not only, any connectors are easily soldered.

They use it as follows, bring it to the place of soldering, charge the spring, melt the solder with a soldering iron and press the release button on the desoldering pump. By creating a discharged area of \u200b\u200bair near the contact, the solder is sucked into the interior of the desoldering pump. If it is not completely removed, we charge the spring and repeat until we completely clear the contact from the solder.

Periodically disassemble and clean the rubber ring on the piston from solder grains.

Shuttle

Serves for winding transformers on a toroidal (ring) core. First, we calculate the total length of the winding wire and wind it on the shuttle. Then we thread the shuttle into the core and start winding. This method allows you to wind transformers much faster than if we each time we pass the wire into the core with our hands. The hook width should be less than the diameter of the core together with the wound winding.

Mini pliers

They are used in the same way as large pliers. That is, when we need to apply force to bend something, for example, tin, or give the desired shape, for example, thick wires. In some cases, platypuses can be replaced, and thanks to the cutting edge, they can bite off the wires.

A set of hollow needles for desoldering

I ordered such a set of needles on Ali Express. The needles are made of stainless steel and the solder does not stick to them during soldering.

The diameter of the needles allows you to solder leads, for example, from 0.8 mm, which is suitable for soldering microcircuits in a Dip package, up to 2 mm, which will allow you to desolder even a transformer from the board if necessary.

The kit also includes an awl, which is convenient for disconnecting the contacts of the microcircuit in the Dip case, if they accidentally "stick together" during soldering. To do this, we warm up the stuck together contacts and draw an awl between them, thus separating them.

Small scissors

Sometimes they are also useful, for example, if you need to cut off the electrical tape, or something wider that it is not convenient to bite with side cutters. For example, if we insulate something with varnished cloth, or something similar, cut into strips.

Watch screwdriver set

Great for disassembling cameras, mp3 players, for repairs, and any other equipment with small screws. There are both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers in different sizes, for different screw heads.

Dismantling braid

It is used to remove solder from the contacts of the soldered part. It is used as follows: dip a piece of the braid in an alcohol-rosin flux, put it on the contact from above and warm it up with a soldering iron tip so that all the solder from the contact is absorbed into the braid. After use, cut off a piece of the braid. Also, the used piece can be used for the tinning of the tracks in the manner described below.

Flux brush

Used when tinning boards with a soldering iron. Using a brush, apply liquid alcohol rosin flux to the tracks. After that, we collect a little solder on the braid, and, heating it with a soldering iron, we drive it along the braid along the tracks. As a result, in this way it turns out to tin the tracks. Solder should be taken very little on the braid.

Scalpels

I use two scalpels in my work, as in the photo above. In addition to the fact that they can cut through anything with effort, I use them to clean up the remnants of paper when transferring a drawing with LUT, from closely spaced tracks so that they do not merge during etching.

Awl and a file scribe

In addition to the fact that they can mark the dimensions of the board, when sawing off on a piece of PCB, I use an awl in order to slightly tuck the holes before drilling in the board, for the outputs of the parts.

Chinese tweezers

The thing looks unreliable, they do not have notches on the working part of the jaws. With the tweezers, which are bent, it is convenient to hold the SMD parts while soldering to the board. Considering that they cost me only $ 1.2 per pair, I ordered an express with Ali, I think they are worth their money.

Of course, this is not a complete list of tools that radio amateurs use in their work, but only the main ones. But with such an arsenal, you can already collect anything. And if during accidental repairs from friends such a variety is not required, then it is better to have these things at home. I was with you AKV.

Technology Forum

Discuss the article Hand tools and fixtures

Source: http://radioskot.ru/publ/konstruktiv/ruchnye_instrumenty_i_prisposoblenija/13-1-0-967

Soldering microscope: what you need to know about a useful fixture?

A soldering microscope is a device that allows many people to carry out precise work, soldering and mounting electronic cards, microcircuits and much more. Being engaged in the repair, as well as the restoration of all kinds of electronic devices, from time to time you are faced with the need to work with small parts.

Thus, a USB microscope designed for soldering microcircuits, as well as other small parts, will be an excellent assistant. The modern variety of devices allows a person to choose an excellent microscope specifically for their needs.

Application area:

• Exact work;
• Surface inspection and quality control;
• Soldering and assembly of electronic boards.

A USB microscope designed for soldering small parts, microcircuits, is used in most cases to detect microcracks in motherboards. The mechanisms of most modern USB microscopes are equipped with manual focus, stepless zoom, illumination and other useful functions. It also greatly simplifies the work of the USB-cable through which information is transmitted to a personal computer, as well as the fact that it is equipped with a backlight.

With the help of special software with a scale, the USB microscope can also be used to measure angles, distances, areas and radii of magnified objects down to a micrometer.

It is worth noting that most modern microscopes are equipped with illumination, the ability to transfer data to a computer, and many other usefulness for soldering. Also have the ability to work as a webcam.

With the help of this device, it is quite possible to take digital photographs of microcircuits, then enlarge them, shoot video and transfer all useful information to a computer for subsequent study of all the details of the work.

Technical data

A modern microscope is the latest device equipped with illumination for soldering microcircuits and other small parts. In this regard, you need to know the technical data of the useful device.

Technical data:

• Camera: 2.0 MPixel (most microscopes are equipped with such a camera);
• Magnification: 20-200x;
• CMOS image sensor;
• Manual focusing within 10-500 millimeters;
• Photo format: BMP or JPEG;
• format: AVI with the ability to implement 30 frames / second;
• Lighting: in most cases there are 8 LEDs with the ability to dim (using the backlight, the work becomes much easier);
• Still image / video resolutions: 2560 × 2048 (5M), 2000 × 1600, 1600 × 1280 (2M), 1280 × 1024, 1024 × 960, 1024 × 768, 800 × 600, 640 × 480, 352 × 288, 320 × 240 , 160 × 120;
• The power supply allows you to use the USB port of the laptop, and there is no need for an additional battery;
• The system requirements are mostly similar: Windows® in 2000 / XP / Windows Vista - / Windows 7.

What is included?

The set of a modern soldering device includes the following components:

• Microscope;
• USB cable;
• Tripod;
• Instructions for using a device for soldering microcircuits;
• Software with all necessary drivers;

Features of the microscope

It is worth noting that today the shareholders are not too eager to purchase these soldering devices, believing that the usual magnifying glass, worn on the head, is much more convenient and simpler. Of course, the magnifier is much simpler, but in all other respects the magnifier is inferior to the microscope (it is not equipped with illumination, communication with the computer).

Like any modern device designed to make work easier and less laborious, the microscope has a number of significant advantages over such a device as a magnifying glass, thanks to which the solder can forget about how he previously used a magnifying glass attached to his head for these purposes.

Features of the microscope:

• Compactness;
• Portability;
• Low weight;
• Adjustable zoom (increase) lens;
• Possibility of highlighting the part being repaired;
• High sharpness;
• Equipped with high quality lighting;
• Ease of replacing any elements of the device;
• Additional accessories for the safety of the device during transportation;
• The convenience of use;
• The ability to work with photos and videos.

DIY microscope

If you are tired of a magnifying glass on your head, it will be interesting to know that a microscope for high-quality soldering can be made homemade. However, this will require a little skill and a minimum of old devices. Of course, to make a microscope with your own hands, you will need a children's analog - a toy microscope. You can use an old children's device, for example, "Naturalist". In addition, you will have to use a webcam, which you are unlikely to use anymore.

Let's say right away, if you are not sure that you will finish the job, and the magnifying glass is a more familiar device for you, it is better not to start, because otherwise you risk wasting time and also use up materials that may still be useful. In this case, it will be better to purchase a new device for soldering microcircuits. But for those who are confident, below is the procedure.

Procedure:

• First, we will prepare materials for work, organize a workplace;
• After that we take the webcam and then screw it into the eyepiece. You can use plastic glue to secure the camera;
• Next, we start up the transistor in SOT-23 (real size 3x3 mm) or resistor 1206, the length of which is 3x2.6 mm;
• Optionally, the microscope can be equipped with illumination.

With little effort and time, you can use a hand-made USB microscope without straining your eyes, and a magnifying glass will not come in handy. Thus, a magnifying glass is successfully replaced by a microscope.

Source: http://GoodSvarka.ru/pajka/mikroskop/

What equipment is used for soldering

Soldering is considered one of the most effective and reliable methods of joining materials. Previously, it was used for metals and their alloys, but soldering is also suitable for joining pieces of glass, plastic, and ceramics.

There are many types of soldering, for each of them special soldering equipment, tools and fixtures are used.

Soldering iron

The most commonly used tool for soldering work is the soldering iron. It is difficult to imagine the equipment of the workplace without it. Soldering irons are used by amateurs and professionals. It all depends on the type of tool.

Molotkovy

Hammer soldering irons are used to connect large, massive parts, so named because of their hammer-like shape. They are heated in ovens or braziers and, having a large thermal inertia, remain heated for a long time.

Such equipment is used for soldering large parts.

Electric

The most traditional soldering method is with an electric soldering iron. It is arranged very simply - a heating element is enclosed in a metal case, which heats up the sting - a copper rod. The heating temperature of the soldering iron depends on the power of the heating element.

the process of soldering work is to heat the parts to be connected by a contact method and fasten them with a special compound called solder. After cooling, a strong connection is obtained that can conduct electricity if the parts to be connected are conductors.

A professional electric soldering iron can be with a voltage regulator. In this case, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the tip, which is very important when assembling and installing electronic circuits.

Induction equipment is of particular interest. In induction soldering irons, self-regulation of heating occurs, they economically consume electricity.

Ultrasonic soldering equipment is produced. The ultrasonic soldering iron is equipped with a generator that generates a high frequency signal.

In addition to a soldering iron powered by a household network, the soldering station equipment may include a soldering tool powered by 12 or 24 volts. It is suitable for debugging electronic circuits and for mounting parts and components that can fail from overheating.

Electric soldering irons can be wireless and powered by AA batteries.

Gas

Gas soldering irons are very convenient in work, the heating of which occurs from the combustion of gas. Gas equipment is represented by a huge number of models that differ in size, ignition system, and the presence of a temperature controller.

With gas soldering equipment, high-temperature hard solders can be melted. They produce posts for gas brazing of copper pipes, which include cylinders, reducers, a platform and a burner.

The disadvantages of electric or gas soldering irons are the impossibility of simultaneous heating of a large area at low power. In this case, other types of equipment are used.

Infrared stations and hair dryers

Models of hot air soldering equipment (hair dryers) are used mainly for dismantling and bulk mounting of microcircuits on electronic device boards. Very often, a hair dryer is included in the complete set of a soldering station, which also consists of an electric soldering iron and a control unit.

The soldering station allows the installation and control of the parameters of the tools included in it, ensuring a high quality of the seam.

Often, the equipment for a soldering station includes a table with the ability to heat parts or circuit boards from below.

This installation uses infrared heat sources - lamps, heating elements. Some warming table designs are equipped with brackets and tripods to allow the boards to be fixed.

Infrared equipment has a similar effect with a soldering dryer. With its help, it is also possible to provide heating of a large area, avoiding contact with the elements of microcircuits.

Infrared soldering stations allow you to control the soldering and ensure smooth cooling of the metal. This is expensive equipment, which is a whole computer complex with sets of sensors, processors and a whole list of auxiliary tools.

Tools and fixtures

With manual soldering, soldering equipment alone is not enough. Without the necessary additional devices, it is impossible not only qualitatively, but generally to solder something. Such devices include:

• blowtorch;
• tweezers;
• set of files;
• nippers;
• magnifying glass and tripod;
• clamps;
• coasters.

One of the essential tools is tweezers. It serves to hold small parts in the position in which they need to be soldered.

In addition, often metal tweezers, clamping the leads, serve as a heat sink when semiconductors or other temperature-sensitive items are soldered.

Another tool that is often used when working is the file. A flat file can be used to remove carbon deposits from the soldering iron tip before irradiating it.

A round needle file with a sharp end can gently clean the mounting holes on the board. Sometimes it is necessary to strip the pins of circuit components before reassembling them.

To work with wires and cables, you will need side cutters. With their help, wires are cut off, insulation is stripped, sometimes excess solder is mechanically removed.

Various types of screwdrivers may be needed to dismantle electronic components and boards from electrical enclosures. And since some components can fail when exposed to even weak magnetic fields, you need a device to demagnetize steel tools.

Very often large parts have to be soldered. It is impossible to heat them with a soldering iron, even the most powerful one. In this case, the parts near the place of future soldering are heated with a blowtorch, and after that they are already soldered with a soldering iron. Blow lamps can run on gasoline, kerosene, gas. Some models run on alcohol.

It is a good idea to have a set of metal clamps on hand to secure the parts together and on the table. When using them, you can accurately orient the parts to one another and maintain this position during the entire time of soldering and cooling.

Useful soldering attachment - supply. You can put a hot soldering iron on it without fear of fire. Such simple equipment is often made by hand.

To connect small parts, which is very common when repairing jewelry, you need a magnifying glass with a large diameter glass mounted on a tripod.

With constant frequent soldering work, it is a good idea to install equipment for deum removal in the room.

Industrial soldering

At the enterprises of heavy industry, completely different types of soldering equipment are used. The joining of large parts and structures in an industrial environment takes place in ovens.

In this case, the highest quality is achieved, since when using furnace equipment, it is possible to constantly monitor the state of the metal, maintain the required temperature and pressure. The metal is protected from oxidation by introducing fluxes into the furnace chamber.

Brazing ovens differ in the heating principle. They are induction, gas, electric. Workpieces are fed and removed in various ways, depending on the design of the furnace equipment. It can be manual feed, belt conveyor, mine feed and elevator feed.

In furnaces with manual feed, heating and cooling of parts and the soldering chamber occurs within one soldering cycle. After cooling down, new parts are loaded. In this oven, it is easiest to control the course of the process and its duration.

In conveyor soldering equipment, heating occurs constantly, and the parts cool down after being removed from the chamber. Such ovens are used to create a large number of identical serial products.

Shaft and elevator furnaces are used for the manufacture of large volumetric structures, which are assembled directly in the furnace and then the brazing process is carried out under fully controlled parameters.

Vacuum soldering equipment is used to join products made of highly oxidizing materials. The brazed joints produced in these furnaces are clean and uniform, which ensures their strength.

Due to the lower temperature and a completely different effect on metal than during welding, solder joints are more resistant to corrosion and mechanical stress.

Despite the long-standing invention of soldering and the creation of new methods for joining metals and alloys, soldering work using special equipment remains in demand at the present time.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/instrumenty/oborudovanie-dlja-pajki

Lesson 1 - Amateur Radio Tool

- Tools - Materials

- Organization of the workplace

1. Soldering iron

A soldering iron, of course, is the main and most necessary tool for a radio amateur.
In fact, this is a very simple tool - an ordinary electric heater: the soldering iron is plugged into an outlet, and after a while its tip heats up to the required temperature.

Let's see what kind of soldering irons are in general. Let's start our review with unsuitable models for our purposes.

A powerful soldering iron for soldering pipes, metals, cans and pots - we don't need this for delicate radio engineering work!

The gas soldering iron is powered by a built-in gas cartridge and is therefore very convenient for working in the field. But we will be doing radio amateurism at home, so we don't need a gas soldering iron.

The optimal tool for novice radio amateurs is an electric soldering iron with a power of 25-40 watts. The soldering iron handle can be wooden or plastic - this is not essential.

Perhaps the main parameter of a soldering iron for novice radio amateurs is its power. A soldering iron that is too powerful (over 60W) will heat up excessively and can damage the PCB and radio components. A low-power soldering iron (less than 25W) is designed for soldering very small radio components and is more suitable for experienced radio amateurs. For soldering standard parts from the Master Kit, the power of such a soldering iron may not be enough.

The optimum power of a soldering iron suitable for beginner radio amateurs is 25 ... 40W.

A soldering iron can be purchased in radio and hardware stores in your city, on radio markets, in specialized stores, in large chain hypermarkets (Leroy Merlin, OBI, AUCHAN, etc.). If you live far from big cities, then you can order a soldering iron, a soldering station and any other tool in online stores ("Electronic engineer", "Dessie", "Chip and Deep", etc.). These stores deliver goods by mail to anywhere in Russia.

An ordinary soldering iron can cost 200-300 rubles.

A soldering iron is simple and inexpensive, and it is very natural to start taking your first steps in amateur radio with it. But there are also certain inconveniences, the main of which is the unstable temperature of the sting.

The melting temperature of the solder is about 270C, and the optimum temperature of the soldering iron tip is about 290… 320C.

But the tip of an ordinary soldering iron, a few minutes after plugging it into an outlet, can heat up to temperatures above 40 ° C. Soldering at this temperature turns out to be of poor quality, since its components "burn out" from the solder.

In addition, such high temperatures can damage the radio components and the printed circuit board.

There are many ways to solve the tip overheating problem. The simplest of them is the periodic on-off of the soldering iron to the network. In the amateur radio literature, there are many schemes for homemade power regulators for a soldering iron, and you can use one of these recommendations.

But, if radio amateurs really captivate you and become your hobby, it is wiser to "fork out" for the so-called soldering station. The simplest soldering station is a block with a tip temperature control knob. The included soldering iron and network cable are connected to the unit.

It is enough to set the required temperature with the handle, and the soldering station will maintain the temperature of the soldering iron tip unchanged.

More expensive models of soldering stations may have a digital indicator that displays the set and current temperature of the tip. The soldering station kit may include a soldering iron holder and a set of replacement tips.

The simplest soldering station can cost from 1000 rubles, and for 3000 rubles you can buy a very decent semi-professional model with a temperature indicator and a set of replaceable tips.

With the help of even the simplest soldering station, it is much more convenient to work than with an ordinary soldering iron. But the pleasure of work is the most important thing, right?

2. Radio-technical side cutters

The second most important tool after the soldering iron is the radio-technical side cutters.

Let's start with a review of unsuitable models for radio amateurs.

These are wire cutters for electricians. They can bite through thick wires, for example. Or even nails and piano strings (some professional instrument allows such "mockery"). But there is no universal tool. And nippers that can handle a thick nail are not suitable for delicate radio installation work. We need exactly the radio-technical side cutters.
They look something like this:

You can buy such side cutters in the same place as the soldering iron (see above).

The price can range from 50 rubles to several thousand rubles. Of course, side cutters of the upper price category are more appropriate for daily work in production, but I would not recommend buying cheap side cutters for 100 rubles either, since they will most likely be "disposable" and inconvenient to work with. Decent side cutters for amateur radio purposes can cost in the range of 300-500 rubles.

The simplest test of side cutters for suitability: try to cut the most ordinary paper with them. If they easily cope with paper, most likely, there will be no problems with cutting the terminals of radio components. By the way, even completely new side cutters "for 100 rubles" may not cope with this "paper test", so draw your own conclusions.

3. Tweezers

With its help, you can bend leads, hold a radio component, etc. When trimming the leads, you can hold them with tweezers - then the trimming of the leads will not scatter throughout the room.
But, since all this can be done with your fingers, then, perhaps, tweezers are not the most necessary tool for a novice radio amateur.

4. "Third hand"

When soldering, we hold a soldering iron in one hand, and a solder bar in the other hand. But what is to hold the PCB with? The third hand is missing ...

There are devices that are called “third hand” in amateur radio jargon. The design in the basic version is outrageously simple: the base and metal clothespins, which fix the printed circuit board. Often the "third hand" is complemented by a magnifying glass and a soldering iron holder. Of course, you can also make some kind of board retainer yourself. But, since the commercially available models are inexpensive - about 200 rubles - it is easier to purchase a ready-made holder.

5. Solder

Solder is an absolutely essential material for soldering. This is a fusible wire, which melts under the action of the hot tip of the soldering iron, and after a few seconds freezes, mechanically fixing the output of the radio component and the printed conductor. Since the solder is electrically conductive, electrical contact between the parts is also ensured.

Solder consists of lead (about 60%) and tin (40%). In addition, various additives may be present in the solder that improve the quality of the soldering: silver, various additives, and the like.

Depending on the composition of the solder (the ratio of the content of lead and tin), it melts at a temperature of about 270C. Therefore, the temperature of the soldering iron tip should be slightly higher than the melting temperature of the solder. Some solders contain a flux to remove oxidation and improve the flow of the solder.

It is much more pleasant and faster to work with such solder, you do not need to purchase flux and rosin separately, and I recommend buying this kind of solder.

In some starter kits, we include small bars of solder, but this should be viewed more as free probes and requires a separate purchase of solder to work with. Solder is supplied in the form of spools of different weights.

A well-known domestic solder "POS61 with a rosin channel" or its imported analogs will do.

Another important characteristic of solder is the diameter of the bar. It is most convenient for beginner radio amateurs to work with a rod diameter of 1 ... 1.5 mm.

A reel of good solder with a rosin channel can cost about 300-500 rubles, and this amount is enough for occasional sessions for at least a year. You can buy solder in the same place as the soldering iron (see above).

Earlier, rosin and flux (solution of rosin in alcohol + additives) were used to remove oxides from the printed circuit board and radio components, as well as to improve the spreading of solder, and it was recommended to purchase them separately.

But now, subject to the use of modern solder with a rosin channel, as well as new tinned, that is, tin-coated radio components and printed circuit boards (only such high-quality components are included in the Master Kit sets), you do not need to purchase anything additionally - all the necessary additives are already contained in solder.

6. Alcohol

After soldering, traces of the flux contained in the solder remain on the board.

Strictly speaking, modern high-quality solders allow a no-clean process, that is, after assembly, the board does not need to be cleaned, and unnamed Chinese electronics manufacturers do just that. But the cleaned board looks much cleaner, and all reputable electronics manufacturers wash their boards.

In an amateur setting, it is best to use rubbing alcohol, an old toothbrush, and tissues. Moistening the brush in alcohol, carefully rub the printed circuit board with it, and at the final stage of cleaning, use ordinary wipes.

It is recommended to use not alcohol-containing liquids (cologne, vodka), but technical alcohol, as the most effective cleaner.
A liter bottle of isopropyl alcohol can cost 150-200 rubles, and it will be enough to clean boards and other surfaces for several years.

Workplace

You will need the most common table and chair.
In order not to damage the work surface of the table, it is better to cover it with a sheet of cardboard, plywood or glass. It is more pleasant and safer to work on a clean, unoccupied desk, so it is better not to make a "mess" on it (in which the probability of losing some small radio component increases dramatically).

Provide good lighting for your desk. The general overhead light in the room is not enough for delicate work, so be sure to turn on the desk lamp.

Provide good ventilation in the work area. Solder vapors are unlikely to cause noticeable harm to health in case of occasional amateur creativity (here we are not talking about the professional daily many hours of work of radio installers in production). The use of special hoods for amateur conditions is superfluous, but a regular fan that drives smoke away from the face is a good solution! It is also better to ventilate the room and wash your hands after soldering.

To consolidate the knowledge gained in practice, you can use the set of a novice radio amateur NR01.

Download the lesson in PDF format

Soldering is considered one of the most effective and reliable methods of joining materials. Previously, it was used for metals and their alloys, but soldering is also suitable for joining pieces of glass, plastic, and ceramics.

There are many types of soldering, for each of them special soldering equipment, tools and fixtures are used.

The most commonly used tool for soldering work is the soldering iron. It is difficult to imagine the equipment of the workplace without it. Soldering irons are used by amateurs and professionals. It all depends on the type of tool.

Molotkovy

Hammer soldering irons are used to connect large, massive parts, so named because of their hammer-like shape. They are heated in ovens or braziers and, having a large thermal inertia, remain heated for a long time.

Such equipment is used for soldering large parts.

Electric

The most traditional soldering method is with an electric soldering iron. It is arranged very simply - a heating element is enclosed in a metal case, which heats up the sting - a copper rod. Depends on the power of the heating element.

A professional electric soldering iron can be with a voltage regulator. In this case, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the tip, which is very important when assembling and installing electronic circuits.

Induction equipment is of particular interest. In there is self-regulation of heating, they economically consume electricity.

Ultrasonic soldering equipment is produced. The ultrasonic soldering iron is equipped with a generator that generates a high frequency signal.

In addition to a soldering iron powered by a household network, the soldering station equipment may include a soldering tool powered by 12 or 24 volts. It is suitable for debugging electronic circuits and for mounting parts and components that can fail from overheating.

Electric soldering irons can be wireless and powered by AA batteries.

Gas

Gas soldering irons are very convenient in work, the heating of which occurs from the combustion of gas. Gas equipment is represented by a huge number of models that differ in size, ignition system, and the presence of a temperature controller.

With gas soldering equipment, high-temperature hard solders can be melted. They produce posts for gas brazing of copper pipes, which include cylinders, reducers, a platform and a burner.

The disadvantages of electric or gas soldering irons are the impossibility of simultaneous heating of a large area at low power. In this case, other types of equipment are used.

Infrared stations and hair dryers

Models of hot air soldering equipment (hair dryers) are used mainly for dismantling and bulk mounting of microcircuits on electronic device boards. Very often, a hair dryer is included in the complete set of a soldering station, which also consists of an electric soldering iron and a control unit.

The soldering station allows the installation and control of the parameters of the tools included in it, ensuring a high quality of the seam.

Often, the equipment for a soldering station includes a table with the ability to heat parts or circuit boards from below.

This installation uses infrared heat sources - lamps, heating elements. Some warming table designs are equipped with brackets and tripods to allow the boards to be fixed.

Infrared equipment has a similar effect with a soldering dryer. With its help, it is also possible to provide heating of a large area, avoiding contact with the elements of microcircuits.

Infrared soldering stations allow you to control the soldering and ensure smooth cooling of the metal. This is expensive equipment, which is a whole computer complex with sets of sensors, processors and a whole list of auxiliary tools.

Tools and fixtures

With manual soldering, soldering equipment alone is not enough. Without the necessary additional devices, it is impossible not only qualitatively, but generally to solder something. Such devices include:

• blowtorch;
• tweezers;
• set of files;
• nippers;
• magnifying glass and tripod;
• clamps;
• coasters.

One of the essential tools is tweezers. It serves to hold small parts in the position in which they need to be soldered.

In addition, often metal tweezers, clamping the leads, serve as a heat sink when semiconductors or other temperature-sensitive items are soldered.

Another tool that is often used when working is the file. A flat file can be used to remove carbon deposits before irradiating it.

A round needle file with a sharp end can gently clean the mounting holes on the board. Sometimes it is necessary to strip the pins of circuit components before reassembling them.

To work with wires and cables, you will need side cutters. With their help, wires are cut off, insulation is stripped, sometimes excess solder is mechanically removed.

Various types of screwdrivers may be needed to dismantle electronic components and boards from electrical enclosures. And since some components can fail when exposed to even weak magnetic fields, you need a device to demagnetize steel tools.

Very often large parts have to be soldered. It is impossible to heat them with a soldering iron, even the most powerful one. In this case, the parts near the place of future soldering are heated with a blowtorch, and after that they are already soldered with a soldering iron. Blow lamps can run on gasoline, kerosene, gas. Some models run on alcohol.

It is a good idea to have a set of metal clamps on hand to secure the parts together and on the table. When using them, you can accurately orient the parts to one another and maintain this position during the entire time of soldering and cooling.

Useful soldering attachment - supply. You can put a hot soldering iron on it without fear of fire. Such simple equipment is often made by hand.

To connect small parts, which is very common when repairing jewelry, you need a magnifying glass with a large diameter glass mounted on a tripod.

With constant frequent soldering work, it is a good idea to install equipment for deum removal in the room.

Industrial soldering

At the enterprises of heavy industry, completely different types of soldering equipment are used. The joining of large parts and structures in an industrial environment takes place in ovens.

In this case, the highest quality is achieved, since when using furnace equipment, it is possible to constantly monitor the state of the metal, maintain the required temperature and pressure. The metal is protected from oxidation by introducing fluxes into the furnace chamber.

Brazing ovens differ in the heating principle. They are induction, gas, electric. Workpieces are fed and removed in various ways, depending on the design of the furnace equipment. It can be manual feed, belt conveyor, mine feed and elevator feed.

In furnaces with manual feed, heating and cooling of parts and the soldering chamber occurs within one soldering cycle. After cooling down, new parts are loaded. In this oven, it is easiest to control the course of the process and its duration.

In conveyor soldering equipment, heating occurs constantly, and the parts cool down after being removed from the chamber. Such ovens are used to create a large number of identical serial products.

Shaft and elevator furnaces are used for the manufacture of large volumetric structures, which are assembled directly in the furnace and then the brazing process is carried out under fully controlled parameters.

Vacuum soldering equipment is used to join products made of highly oxidizing materials. The brazed joints produced in these furnaces are clean and uniform, which ensures their strength.

Due to the lower temperature and a completely different effect on metal than during welding, solder joints are more resistant to corrosion and mechanical stress.

Despite the long-standing invention of soldering and the creation of new methods for joining metals and alloys, soldering work using special equipment remains in demand at the present time.