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On Fri, Mar 23, 2001 at 08:41:28PM -0600, Markemmanuel wrote:
> Geez... I didn't know that Soldering Iron quality and prices ranged this
> much. Thanks for all your help but...
>
> What would be a decent Soldering Iron to attach LEDs to a board or
> connecting wires to things in a car. I'm also going to using for some work
> on some art work. (Imagine the inners of a G4 Cube as the brain of a
> 'functional' sculpture. Two small cameras as the eyes. A microphone for the
> ears, and one of those sound sticks for the mouth. Now if I can find a free
> G4 Cube. :)
>
> How important is temperature control? I've used a soldering iron a few
> times in an art class and it was a piece 'o crap. The teacher showed us how
> to use it but never mentioned anything about temperature control.
In art class you aren't likely to be soldering [working] ICs that can be
damaged by too much heat.
Hmmm. After you've gotten used to a regulated iron, using the other sort is
like using DOS after being accustomed to Linux. It does the job, at least
much of the time, but it's slower and takes more effort. Then again, for
doing mechanical soldering (1) you probably want as large an iron as is
compatible with the piece you're working on; large means more heat capacity,
so the work heats up to soldering temp more quickly. Which brings me to the
wrong way to heat the work quickly, and the big drawback to an oversized
unregulated iron. If it's too hot, it can literally disappear small
features - like PC traces.
A good soldering _gun_ might be useful for the mechanical work, but you
don't want to to use one of those anywhere near the PC board unless you're
VERY experienced. Otherwise you will likely gain experience. :-( A gun
might also be appropriate for the heavier wiring, such as in the car. I
think you really need two different tools for the range of work you
describe; at least, it will be much easier, and more likely to go well, with
a better match to the job. First try an inexpensive smaller iron - that
will do for the LEDs and maybe the car wiring if it's not too large a gauge.
Then look for something suited to the heavier work if the small iron doens't
handle it (maybe I have pictured it as more demanding than it actually is,
but an iron that's safe for PC boards will be nearly useless for... well, 12
gauge wire might be soldered on a hot August afternoon).
And remember - if you don't keep the working surface clean, it won't
transfer heat as well. A small file is good for uncoated tips, but a damp
sponge is always useful.
Luck!
-=-
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: Fri Mar 23 2001 - 22:43:30 CST