A soldering iron is considered one of the most common tools that can be found in the home of any owner. It is not necessary to be a specialist and solder professionally. But each representative of the stronger sex should possess general fundamental knowledge. Broken wires in electrical appliances, contacts in sockets, headphones, repairing boards are common phenomena, having encountered which, a person wants to learn how to learn how to solder.
What is a soldering iron?
This is a special heat-emitting device with a power of 15 to 40 W, sufficient to solder wires, boards and microcircuits. There are soldering irons whose power is higher. They are intended for small soldering - for soldering unsuccessfully connected wires of thick diameter or for soldering XLR connectors. The function of the heating element in soldering irons is performed by a nichrome wire, which is wound on a tube containing a "sting" - the working surface of the device. The sting is a copper rod, which is heated by a nichrome wire.
Copper is used in the soldering iron device because this metal has high thermal conductivity. The supply of heat to the wire occurs due to electric current. The soldering iron device contains an insulator, which is mica. For safety reasons, it prevents wires from contacting the metal tube and the soldering iron housing.
Which soldering iron to choose?
Learning to solder correctly is easy, but subject to a successfully selected tool. Among the wide variety of these devices, an amateur master who decides to fix office equipment should choose an acoustic soldering iron, which is distinguished by its small size and good performance. It has a low heat capacity, which is desirable for fine soldering work during the assembly of microcircuits. It is better for a novice master to opt for a device whose power does not exceed 40 watts. It is important that the soldering iron is also not weaker than 15 W, since the power in such a product will not be enough even for connecting simple office equipment wires. It is preferable to buy a tool with a three-way grounding plug. Its presence will prevent possible voltage dissipation during the movement of the electric current to the metal tube.
To carry out work on connecting calibration wires, chassis and stained glass work, an industrial soldering iron is suitable.
Which sting is better?
The working parts of soldering irons, depending on the size, are of two types:
- ordinary, the diameter of which is 0.5 cm;
- miniature with a diameter of 0.2 cm, used for soldering very thin wires and parts made of copper.
The working parts of soldering irons can take the form of a needle, cone and scapula. The latter form is the most common, because it makes it possible to scoop up the required amount of solder. In addition, for the convenience of soldering, the sting can be straight or curved.
What is the principle of soldering?
The soldering procedure is to connect two metal elements using a third (solder). In this case, the melting temperature of the parts to be connected should be higher than that of the third element, which in the molten state penetrates into the gaps of the parts to be connected, as well as in their structure, providing a mechanical connection. At the same time, an electrical contact is observed between the connected parts.
What do you need for work?
The soldering procedure is not difficult. The question of how to learn to solder from scratch is solved simply. To do this, it is enough to acquire the necessary material and, following the instructions, start training.
Where to learn to solder?
You can train at home by soldering ordinary wires. The main thing here is to adhere to safety instructions.
In the work you may need:
- a soldering iron (according to professionals, a tool with a power of 20-40 W will be enough to work with small wires in electronics and radio engineering);
- pliers;
- knife;
- scissors;
- set of files;
- sandpaper;
- insulation tape;
- rosin;
- solder.
The question "how to learn to solder" will be resolved after several workouts. The novice will have confidence and experience. A step-by-step instruction for soldering can help him in this.
Where to begin?
- Sting preparation. To do this, using pliers and files, you need to clean the working part of the soldering iron. The sting should have an angle of 30-45 degrees. In the event that the tip is damaged, it must be sharpened again, giving the necessary shape. After this, the tip is tinned - the heated soldering iron should be dipped first in rosin and then in solder.
- For safety reasons, prepare a lining for the soldering iron. This is due to the fact that the device heats up to a temperature of more than 300 degrees and operates under high electric voltage. It is important during operation of the soldering iron to optimize your workplace. It is desirable that a piece of PCB or plywood be used as a lining. Special baths for solder and rosin are also needed.
- Cleaning surfaces of joined metals under solder. To do this, you need sandpaper, solvent or soldering acid. It is important that no residues of oils, fats or other impurities remain on the surfaces to which the solder will be applied.
Work sequence
How to learn to solder correctly, it will become clear if you follow the step by step instructions. It is necessary:
- Install the soldering iron on the stand and plug it into an electrical outlet.
- Dunk in the rosin. This is done 5-7 minutes after connecting to the outlet. The purpose of this procedure is to check the temperature of the sting and get rid of the scale. The soldering iron is considered ready for use if the rosin boils and melts. If it only softens, then the sting is not warm enough. When the soldering iron overheats, the rosin hisses and splashes. In this case, the device needs to cool down a bit.
- Treat the surface with tinning. The molten solder covers the joints of metal products.
- Press the cured surfaces to each other. In places of their combination with a soldering iron, apply a new portion of solder. The joined parts must be pressed until the solder cools down and hardens.
Solder use
Successful soldering is possible with skillful selection of the necessary solder - an alloy of tin and lead. The most common is solder brand POS-40 and POS-60. They are characterized by a low melting point (183 degrees) and are used in most soldering works to connect steel elements. This standard solder has the form of a wire with a diameter of 2.5 mm, which is very convenient for working with microcircuits.
For soldering aluminum parts, it is advisable to purchase a special aluminum solder. During operation, it is important to remember that, when heated, tin-lead compounds emit gases that are very harmful to humans. Therefore, it is recommended to work with them in a well-ventilated area using special respirators, gloves and goggles.
How to learn to solder wires?
So how to connect the wires? The work sequence is standard for all types of soldering. The connected ends of the wires are torn. But for reliable fasteners, it is recommended to tightly twist them together. During the procedure, the soldering iron tip is sent with one hand to the connection points, and the wire solder is brought to this place with the other.
In some cases, twisting the wires is not possible. Then the connected ends of the wires must be laid parallel to each other and squeezed with pliers. Work is carried out with one hand, the second - directs the tip of the soldering iron with solder to the connection. The holding of the ends of the wire should be carried out after removing the tip of the soldering iron from the soldering zone.
Sometimes there is a need to connect the end of one wire with the middle of another. Twisting in this case is done by wrapping the end of the wire around the other to which it is attached.
It must be remembered that butt soldering is not possible, since its reliability depends on the strength of the mechanical connection.
The question of how to learn how to solder wires is one of the most relevant among Internet users. Having mastered the technique of splicing and soldering, masters are able to independently, without the help of specialists, perform a number of the following tasks:
- seamless heating equipment;
- extension of a cord for an electric guitar;
- connection of a usb cable with an antenna, etc.
What is shrinkage?
During the splicing of wires, professionals recommend the use of special heat shrink tubes. Their diameter must be twice as large as that of the wire. The tube is put on one end of the wire. After the implementation of its mechanical adhesion to another wire and soldering, heat shrink is dragged to the place of their connection. It should be positioned so that 1 cm remains at each end of the seam. After this, the soldering is performed anew. Heat shrink should evenly cover and heat the wire connection. As a result of exposure to the tube at high temperatures, it is sealed, providing reliable insulation in the connection zone, as well as the strength of mechanical adhesion.
How to learn to solder a board?
Before starting complex soldering, for example, working with diode tapes, experts recommend novice craftsmen to get inexpensive budget boards. Having trained on them and having mastered the standard soldering techniques, after a while the beginner will learn how to solder microcircuits.
This type of soldering consists of successive stages:
- Preparatory. Before starting work, you need to ensure a strong connection and lower the resistance. For this purpose, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned of grease and dust. For degreasing, wipes and soap solution can be used. Acetone is used when you need to clean the surface of the circuit to a shine. As a safer solvent, methyl hydrate is recommended. It is as effective as acetone, but it does not have such a pungent odor.
- Placement of soldered board parts. Before you learn how to solder a circuit, you need to know the location of all its elements. In the very first place, flat parts are subject to soldering. This is a resistor and varistor. Then proceed to the capacitor, transistor, transformer, microphone and potentiometer. This alternation guarantees the safety of temperature sensitive components.
- Heating the compound to improve the thermal conductivity of the metal. The soldering iron tip must be leaned against the components of the circuit for a few seconds. It is important to prevent overheating. Bubbles that appear on the surface will testify to it. In this case, the soldering iron must be removed from the soldering zone.
- Solder application. It is carried out until a slight elevation appears on the diagram.
- Removal of surplus. It is carried out after hardening and cooling of the solder. It is recommended not to rush, but to allow the circuit to cool for a while. This is important because it is possible to break the connections made, and the work will have to be performed anew.
Every man must learn to solder circuits. This will enable you to repair your own plugs, modems, etc.
Soldering as a process is not limited only to working with copper wires and microcircuits. Having mastered the ability to use a soldering iron on wires, you can proceed to subsequent, more complex operations using various solders and a variety of metals.