The Solder Saver (locking cam solder dispensing pen)

"How should I preface this Instructable?" I ask myself. Seemingly, since the beginning of time, man has had the urge to stick solder into a pen and post pictures online. Well, I briefly considered delving into the larger history of the solder pen, but then lack of motivation got the better of me. So without further ado, here's the Solder Saver.

Step 1: Why would you use a solder pen, anyway?

Though I've been keen to follow the evolution of other solder pens, I have personally found them to be inefficient. I use solder off the reel. (A homemade reel-dispenser, anyway, but I digress.)

So why make a solder pen? Well, I had broken several lengths of solder off the reel during some recent tinkering. Rather than throw them away, I decided I needed to create a way to use them up as best I could. I am also addicted to building things, and I was bored.

***The Solder Saver is designed to provide storage and precision deployment of small scraps of toxic solder which might have otherwise ended up in a land fill. It is also made with very few simple materials, including a disposable pen. These attributes make this device eco-friendly.

Comments

[Wazzuplol]

wow thanks :D i realy needed something like this

[rimar2000]

Seems interesting. I use the commercial yellow container, but I have problemas: the end of the tin coil always go to the inner, and I must open the container to extract it.

[klee27x]

Unless I'm mistaken, I know exactly what you're talking about. I call that "tubed solder." There's no reason you couldn't use this concept for other solder pens or even tubed solder. I mean, I could use a normal pen tip and the entire mechanism could be internal. For a tube of solder, all you need to do is make it bigger. Instead of a Q-tip, use a 3/16" brass tube and some brass cross pins. Then use the solder tube as the holder. Hey, some of those solder tubes are clear. You could watch the whole coil turn as you pulled. It's a fascinating motion. Kinda like Niagara falls... the whole thing is in motion, but it's almost like nothing's moving.

[rimar2000]

Yes, I understand you. I am saying I will try your device. I speak Spanish, therefore sometimes I don't know explain myself in English.

[robomaniac]

I was going to post a instructable like that. I use a old marker pen and only solder that is twisted like a spring. No fancy stuff. Very simple. Keep it up! Jerome ps- nice workbench and thanks for the tips on the breadboard

[klee27x]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment. I do appreciate simplicity. But I think it goes beyond that. What I really like are things that are ubiquitous - things that are easy to build, repair, replace, or replicate. That's why I'm a big fan of the Bic pen, even though I rarely use them as intended. (They hurt my hand to actually write with!)

[lemonie]

It's a good piece of work - I'd initially thought you'd be using a clutch-pencil (sure I saw that 20 years ago, but maybe not...)
_{I'm one of those people who holds the solder tub in his teeth...}

L