How to Solder Videos: Why is soldering difficult sometimes?

Step 4 Tools you won't find in radioshack

A SOIC surface mount chip remover, dry tip cleaner, solder pot for tinning lots of wires, knife blade soldering tip, alcohol saving pump bottle, and a video of a vacuum desoldering tool (30 sec):

Comments

[whatup.dub]

Great info. I really liked the labeled pictures of the good joints and the info on what exactly was wrong with the bad joints in step 3. I've been trying to pick up any info on proper technique I can find. Good tips.

[ramcosca]

Okay, what is that first thing on the video? Is that vacuum-like noise part of the vacuum desoldering tool? I had never heard that when someone was using a vacuum desoldering tool...

[CuriousInventor.com]

There are two noises in the video: one from the general exhaust system that sucks away solder smoke, and the other from the desoldering tool--the buzzing sound that starts midway. I'm not sure if the noise is typical for that brand of device or whether it was just clogged up a bit. It's an OKi brand shown in the last picture. Do you have a particular brand / model that you like?

[ramcosca]

Not yet, really. I have yet to start to buy my tools to start with my electronics projects. I don't know about brands that much. The only thing I know is that I have to stay away from the cheap RadioShack irons... but just that. Do you recommend OKi? Is it good?

[CuriousInventor.com]

Oki is on par with Weller, and you'll find their equipment in a lot of production environments. I don't recommend that kind of equipment for personal use mainly because of the price (just about everything they make is $600+), and the requirements just aren't the same. Those things are designed to work 8 hours a day, every day, have all sorts of anti-static protection, precisely controlled tip voltages, have tips that heat up in under 2 seconds and are quickly changeable... lots of things that are nice but maybe not necessary. You can't beat RadioShack's price, but here's my 2 cents on their irons: After about an hour, the handle starts to bake your hand, and after a week or two of use, the tips start to become loose and wobbly. Best advice right now is to get a Weller 25-30W iron. If you're planning for the long term, the next step is to get a temperature controlled iron. I'm not sure what type/ brand to recommend for that yet, our company is in the process of reviewing some cheaper hobbyists irons now, I'll let you know when we complete.