Introduction: Making a Fine Tip for Your Solding Iron for SMD Soldering
Surface-mount soldering can require a very fine tip for your soldering iron. If you only have a small amount of soldering to do, then why spend the time and money buying a tip when you can make one?
I came up with this after reading https://www.instructables.com/id/An_easier_way_to_solder_magnet_wire_to_SMD_LEDs/
The cost is pretty much zero, and you can do it in under 5 minutes!
I came up with this after reading https://www.instructables.com/id/An_easier_way_to_solder_magnet_wire_to_SMD_LEDs/
The cost is pretty much zero, and you can do it in under 5 minutes!
Step 1: Get Some Copper Wire
The first thing you need is some copper wire. I have a reel of single-cored (i.e. solid) wire that has a conductor diameter of about 1.5mm - this is perfect. You might be able to use something a little thinner, but probably any thicker would be too difficult to bend.
Cut yourself about 10-15cm of wire. Use a knife to remove the insulation.
Cut yourself about 10-15cm of wire. Use a knife to remove the insulation.
Step 2: Create Your New Tip!
Take your copper wire and wrap it tightly around your soldering iron's bit. Use a small pair of pliers to help you get it tight.
When you get to the end, leave a small piece sticking out, and cut it off at an angle. This is your new soldering tip. Cut it shorter than I did in the picture, to reduce the heat loss.
Copper is a good conductor of heat, and so the wire will quickly become hot enough to solder with. Tin it with a dab of solder on the end, and you're ready to go! You can make the point as small as you like by cutting/filing it. If it gets too oxidised, just file it off.
When you get to the end, leave a small piece sticking out, and cut it off at an angle. This is your new soldering tip. Cut it shorter than I did in the picture, to reduce the heat loss.
Copper is a good conductor of heat, and so the wire will quickly become hot enough to solder with. Tin it with a dab of solder on the end, and you're ready to go! You can make the point as small as you like by cutting/filing it. If it gets too oxidised, just file it off.
