Introduction: Soldering Iron to Soldering Tweezer Conversion

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About: I'm an IT guy, maker, hobbyist, really like to make different things with kids and play/test with them in a spare time.

Hi.

In nowadays, lots of electronics are using SMD components, repairing such details with no specific equipment is tricky. Even if you need to replace the SMD LED, soldering and desoldering could be challenging without a heat fan or soldering tweezer. In my case, purchasing such not cheap device is not sensible. After some time of thinking, I decided to use only the stuff that already has.

Many of us have a couple of soldering irons and often they're identical, in my case, it's the same situation. I took a couple of soldering irons and created and hinge, with a tension spring in it. Now I can snap a couple of soldering irons and get a soldering tweezer, with separate temperature adjustment for each tip.

In this instructable, I'm delighted to share my implementation of such conversion with you.

Supplies

  • 2 x M3x8 screws
  • 2 x M3 locking nuts
  • 1 x tension spring Ø4-5mm
  • 2 soldering irons, like A-BF GS-series ( GS60, GS90, GS110) or any other, like CXG and so on, with handle Ø19mm
  • 3D printer with any filament, like PLA, but better to use PETG or ABS

Step 1: Hinge Models

When I've started designing this hinge, decided to add some features. One of them is a range limit grove, it prevents moving solders on a huge distance and makes the tweezer handier. Another one is a grove for the spring, with its help spring will never slip and doesn't require extra materials or tools to fix it in place.

Models are ready for printing and could be printed with 0.2 mm layer thickness. Better to print with supports.

Attachments

Step 2: Assembling the Tweezer

This step is very easy and could be understood by images only.

#1 Install nuts in the inner hinge

#2 Install the spring on both hinges

#3 Place the screws on their places and tight them a little bit

#4 Snap the soldering irons on their places

Step 3: Test!

After assembly, I've made a test recording that shows the soldering and desoldering process of the SMD components on the broken motherboard from a 3D printer and some other parts.

If you like it, please vote.

Thank you for reading!

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