Soldering... how hot is too hot?

billd420

billd420

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I've got a really nice Weller soldering station, however I have no idea how hot I should be putting the temperature on the iron. I do mostly PCB mods and repairs when soldering, is there a recommended temperature? It goes up to about 800 degrees, but I think that's too hot for sensitive electronics.

Also, when I use my crappy 15w/30w solder iron, which setting should I keep it on for electronic mods/repairs? 15 or 30?

Thanks!
Bill
 
not sonic

not sonic

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i always keep my 15w/30w iron on 15w. i put it on 30w so itll heat up faster and then switch to 15w. ill keep it on 30w if im doing stuff thats not on a circuit or attached to any components. but anything remotely sensitive i use 15w
 
X

xmods (jwm2)

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For me it depends on the points being soldered to. If you need lots of solder to make a good connection then you'll need a hotter iron, just be sure to switch it back a few minutes before doing anything delicate.
 
channelmaniac

channelmaniac

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My solder station is set and stays at 650F.

Any hotter and you run risks of damaging things... It's a good temp to use as solder melts fast and you can get the solder joint finished very fast. It was a temperature that was suggested when I went through training on the station years ago. (How to use/maintain and how to do surface mount soldering - it was a great course)

RJ
 
Xian Xi

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channelmaniac said:
My solder station is set and stays at 650F.

Any hotter and you run risks of damaging things... It's a good temp to use as solder melts fast and you can get the solder joint finished very fast. It was a temperature that was suggested when I went through training on the station years ago. (How to use/maintain and how to do surface mount soldering - it was a great course)

RJ
Click to expand...


Mine, too. Also dont forget that if you suck at soldering that you might wanna keep the temp on the lower side as you might be working on the same spot for large amounts of time. If you are skilled and a quick solderer then a high temp is fine.
 
norton9478

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You can use the lower heats if you are using the good Lead/Silver solder........ Stuff melts nice and easy....

You need a beast of a cauterizer to melt that Lead Free crap.....

If you are soldering wire to wire, Crank it up...... I hate soldering wire to wire... or worse yet, Wire to Wire to Wire.


Tip of the day:
You can use a pair of Hemiostats as a heatsink a leg of a sensitive component...

I'm sure that someone with 420 in thier name might have some laying around....
 
Last edited:
billd420

billd420

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norton9478 said:
Tip of the day:
You can use a pair of Hemiostats as a heatsink a leg of a sensitive component...

I'm sure that someone with 420 in thier name might have some laying around....
Click to expand...

WTF Are hemiostats?? Don't you mean roach clips ;)

Seriously tho, thats a good tip.

Thanks for all the insight guys, better turn down the Weller from 700 or so before I cook something!

-Bill
 
N

Neo Geo MVS

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roach clips ;)
Click to expand...

:lol: , I asked bill if he smoked but got no reply back, even though its obvious. lol

I got some buddas ear wax if anyone is interested in it, lol.
 
N

Neo Geo MVS

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Oh forgot to say good read in the thread, Im a newbie at soldering so I got some useful pointers. Thanks guys. Post any more tips if you got them.
 
norton9478

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Neo Geo MVS said:
Oh forgot to say good read in the thread, Im a newbie at soldering so I got some useful pointers. Thanks guys. Post any more tips if you got them.
Click to expand...

1. Tin Everything!
2. Tin Everything!!
3. Tin Everything!!!
4. Solder flows from cold to hot.
 
not sonic

not sonic

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if your solder is making peaks or whatever you wanna call it (when you pull away and it makes a point) youre using too much.

the best stand ive used for my iron is a metal tape measure. the belt clip makes a nice dip for the iron to sit in. all them shit little stands you get with the irons from radio shack are crap.
 
norton9478

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not sonic said:
if your solder is making peaks or whatever you wanna call it (when you pull away and it makes a point) youre using too much.

the best stand ive used for my iron is a metal tape measure. the belt clip makes a nice dip for the iron to sit in. all them shit little stands you get with the irons from radio shack are crap.
Click to expand...

I like the Ratshack stands... I used to use an old coffe mug....


I like the sponge....
I used to poke the iron through a piece of paper to get excess solder off it.
 
billd420

billd420

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I love the stand that came with Weller station... its so money. The iron sits in it perfectly where it won't slip out. Also, the Wellers come with these crazy synthetic sponges that don't scorch... they work AWESOME for cleaning the tips.

Speaking of weller... anyone wanna trade some brand new tips with me? I have like 6 of the finest tips they offer (good for chip leg repair), but unfortunately thats all I have. I need a thicker tip for doing general soldering work.

-Bill
 
channelmaniac

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not sonic said:
if your solder is making peaks or whatever you wanna call it (when you pull away and it makes a point) youre using too much.
Click to expand...

Actually, when that happens you've overcooked the solder and it is oxidizing. Add a little liquid flux on top of it & reheat it and it will look perfect again.

Alternatively you can desolder the joint (either partially or fully) and resolder it.

RJ
 
segasonicfan

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Well, variable temp soldering stations are made for a reason- to adjust the temperature for different applications. Here's how I adjust mine:

Solder 'bridging' (making a long connection point with solder): ~450 degrees
Small SMD work: ~550 degrees
'Regular' parts work: ~630 degrees
Large parts work (i.e. 22AWG or larger): ~700 degrees
Desolder work (esp w/desoldering braid): 750-850 degrees

and of course if you're doing a lot of solder shielding or working with a large amount of solder for any reason you will usually want to keep it on full (850 degrees+)


So no 30watt irons for cap replacements, k? ;)

Weller soldering stations definitely do rock though, the best $150 investment I ever made was getting my WESD51 station. Highly recommended for anyone doing long term soldering work on PCBs.

-Segasonicfan
 
mainman

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600 degrees leaded solder, 850 degrees unleaded
 
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