Electric soldering iron is a hand tool that fastens metal components with each other, with solder. Solder is a metal or its alloy having a melting point lower than the materials connected. The soldering applies alloys based on tin, lead, copper, nickel, etc. Preheated to the liquid state of the solder fills all gaps of soldered parts.
A set of additional storage in a ceramic soldering iron increases its functionality.
For the safe operation of a person and, depending on the voltage in the power supply network, solders with different current and power power are used.
See also:
Modern welding technologies -
Device and principle of work soldering iron type EPSN
Scheme of soldering iron elements.
The main elements of the electric soldering iron is:
- kernel;
- heater;
- sting;
- holder;
- electric cord with fork.
Red copper rod is heated by a nichrome spiral to the melting point of the solder. Due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, the rod is made of copper material. The heating element transmits heat to the storing of the device.
The rod end of the soldering iron is the work part of the tool with a wedge-shaped form at the end. This is called a sketch of a soldering device.
The rod inserted into the metal tube is pre-wrapped in an insulating material. It can be fiberglass or mica. Nichrome thread is wound on the insulator, which serves as the heating element.
Back to the categoryBasic varieties of soldering device
Scheme of the soldering iron design.
In addition to the electrical soldering iron with a spiral heater (EPSN), which is widely used in everyday life, there are a number of other types of soldering tools.
Soldiers differ in the method of transmission of heat and soldering, the type of energy consumed and other indicators.
Here is some of them:
- Induction soldering iron. The heating of such a tool is based on the inductor coil. The ferromagnetic tip has a magnetic field created by the coil. Thanks to this, the heated core occurs. Solds such an appliance to a certain temperature value. With the loss of the magnetic properties of the coating, heating stops.
- The use of ceramic rods has a number of significant advantages: fast heating, increasing the operation of the tool and optimal adjustment of the selected soldering modes (temperature and power).
- Widespread use in radio amateurs have soldering tanks with a pulsed supply of voltage to the rod. The shape of such a soldering iron is reminded of a pistol. The essence is that when the smoke is pressed and its holding, tip is happening. After the work is completed, the trigger is released, and the soldering device is cooled.
- An exceptionally autonomous soldering device is considered to be a gas that is used as a gas heater. Such gas soldering can be used in any conditions. It is enough to have access to a gas source.
- Another type of autonomous instrument is rechargeable soldering iron. Work is based on low power consumption (up to 15 W). Such soldering devices are used for simple and small soldering solders.
Practically in each house in the tool kit includes a soldering iron - a special device for soldering parts. The principle of operation of this device lies in the melting of tin (solder) and the subsequent applying of the solder on the edges of the fused parts. In addition, with the help of a soldering iron, you can cover the necessary object with a thin layer of molten tin - to lose it.
Soldiers differ in the heating technology in a few species, it is:
- Electric machine. The most common and popular view. Its sting heats up with electricity.
- Thermal-friendly. A thin jet of hot air heats the treated surface.
- Arc. The surface is heated using an electrical arc between the sting and placed inside the device electrode.
- Hammer and end. The tips of the soldering iron of this species are fixed on elongated handles, heating occurs under the influence of an external heat source.
- Gas. In other words, gas burner.
- Infrared Soldering Station. The soldering process is performed using infrared radiation.
The electricians also have their own varieties that differ in power and type of heater: nichrome and ceramic. Pulse also belong to the electricians, their tip is heated at that moment when it is necessary. Each type of appliances has its own features of the functionality, distinctive characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Nichrome soldering iron
It is also called an electric soldering iron with a spiral heater, or ECPN. The heating element of this tool is a helix made of thin nichrome wire through which the electric current passes. In more modern models there is a nichrome element built into the insulators.
Advantages:
- average price, availability;
- blow resistance, soldering iron is not sensitive to mechanical damage.
Disadvantages:
- sensitivity to loads, with intense daily use its helix brave;
- the tip is heated long enough.
Ceramic soldering iron
The heater is made in the form of a ceramic rod heating with electricity. The soldiers of this type are more comfortable, but most often there are fakes - nichrome, in which only insulator is ceramic. However, real ceramic are manufactured by a limited number of manufacturers, and there are many cheap low-quality fakes.
Advantages:
- heating occurs quite quickly;
- temperature is supported using the control system;
- high power;
- small dimensions;
Disadvantages:
- difficulties with the definition of fake;
- fragility of the heating element;
- the impossibility of using replaceable stamps;
- high price device.
Hammer solder
Modern models are electrical or heated from external heat sources (from open fire). The name "hammer" occurred from the design - handles with a thick tip. The device allows you to solder large parts.
Advantages:
- low price;
- the ability to make such a soldering iron manually;
- good power (from 100 to 150 watts).
Disadvantages:
- little functionality;
- the inability to adjust the heating temperature.
Pulse soldering iron
Solders of this species do not have constant heating, and the tip warming occurs when the button is pressed. For convenience, such a device has a curved shape. Long-term soldering in this case is not provided, but a pulsed soldering iron is conveniently operated with short-term work.
The tip is made of copper wire, it is warmed by electric current. Modern firms produce impulse tools with removable tips and ceramics heater.
New Type devices have additional features, such as power adjustment and temperature, which makes it possible to solder both small parts and large ones.
Advantages:
- rapid tip heating;
- soldering details of different sizes;
- the high efficiency of the useful act (heating talked directly during the soldering).
Disadvantages:
- can be used exclusively for short work.
Wireless solders
The power of the device of this type is relatively small, the soldering iron works not from the network, but on batteries and is used in cases of absence of electricity or the need for work in special conditions.
Advantages:
- rapid heating;
- mobility and lack of need for power supply;
- small size.
Disadvantages:
- low power.
Portable USB soldering iron
These are small soldering tips with USB power. Such an appliance can work from the car cigarette lighter and is designed to solder small details.
Advantages:
- mobility;
- small size;
- quickly heats up.
Disadvantages:
- little power.
Soldering iron with tin suction
This is a rather original and convenient device that is easy to handle. It is best to choose a soldering iron with an insulated handle, it will provide safety when working and serves longer. Popular soldering iron with built-in solder suction are distinguished by a rapid way out.
Soldering iron for children
This is a device with a small power - from 30 to 60 watts. There are electrical, impulse and batteries. It is recommended to acquire a tool with a wooden handle.
Types of tips
Soldering sting have several varieties and are made of ceramics, copper, and can also have silver, aluminum, nickel coating.
Copper Stow
Such stages are installed in the electric shocks.
Advantages:
- good thermal conductivity;
- heat capacity.
Disadvantages:
- the oxidation of the rod and as a result of the reduction of its functionality;
- such a sting has to be cleaned, it is thinned and soon needs to be replaced.
Nickel coated sting
Such a sting is also included in the design of the electrobyavnikov, and instruments with a ceramic heater.
Advantages:
- does not burn in the process of work;
- there is no need to regularly clean it.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- fragility material.
Ceramic sting
Its case is made of ceramics, and the tip is usually copper covered with nickel.
Advantages:
- thermal conductivity;
- resistance to corrosion;
- no need for constant cleaning.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- the fragility of the ceramic case.
Form Zhala
The shape of the tip depends on the type of work performed. At the same time, some structures of the soldiers do not imply the use of replaceable tips, and in this case the replacement of the sting becomes difficult and takes a lot of time. In addition, there are soldering tanks with adjustable sting.
The sting is in the form of a wedge (screwdriver), a rod with a beveled edge, cone-shaped, in the form of a needle. The most comfortable, universal form is a screwdriver form, as it is suitable for performing different works. This form allows you to quickly heat the desired detail, and solder on such a waters is better than on the stals of other forms.
Sachet handle material
The handle of the soldering iron should be made of low thermal conductivity materials. It can be a wooden handle, an ebonite, as well as a handle from carbolitis and textolite. Plastic handles are found from the cheapest models, they quickly heat and can melt. The best choice will be a tree handle, as it has the lowest thermal conductivity.
How to choose a soldering iron
Choosing a soldering iron, you should navigate the main criteria, such as its power, thermostabilities and of course at the price of the device.
Power
This indicator depends on the type of work. Power up to 25 watts is suitable for soldering small electronic parts, 40 watt power - to work with thick wires. Higher power, from 100 watts and above, is suitable for soldering large parts. The advantages of soldering iron with high power is their reliability and a wide range of functions, but their disadvantage is that such devices are not used in everyday life.
The power of the home soldering should be from 25 to 40 watts. A smaller capacity indicator will lead to the fact that the soldering will take a lot of time, and the quality of the result will be dubious. Excessive power will make it impossible to solder parts that can simply burn.
Thermostabilization
Soldiers with thermal stabilization significantly accelerate the process of soldering, improve its quality, and it becomes much more convenient to work, as they provide the ability not only to accurately set the desired temperature, but also support it. It is convenient for both newcomers and professionals. The temperature controller is in a separate case and built into the design of the soldering iron.
Advantages:
- automatic maintenance of the desired temperature;
- the danger of overheating is excluded;
- one soldering iron can be done, requiring varying degrees of heating;
- there is no need to clean the steering of the soldering iron from the scale.
Disadvantages:
- the original sting is not universal;
- often meet fakes;
- heats up long.
Cost of soldering
Prices directly depend on the characteristics and functional, such as a heater, the presence or absence of a temperature controller and from a brand that produces the device. You can buy an inexpensive soldering iron that has good characteristics and suitable for homework, you can choose a more expensive model with additional features.
Inexpensive and budgetary soldering companies include valves cost from 80 to 600 rubles. Most often it is electric soldering iron with sting from copper, 40 watt power. This also includes ceramic soldering iron with the heater of their nichrome, nickel sting and power from 30 to 40 watts - their value ranges from 300 to 600 rubles.
Middle price solders - pulse, 70 watt (from 300 to 700 rubles), wireless and USB soldering iron, with a small capacity of up to 10 watts (from 300 to 1300 rubles).
Soldering iron with a durable stale and a film-ceramic heater, with a capacity of 50 watts, has cost from 2500 to 5200 rubles.
Dozen best
KVT XZ-1 - 10th place
Contactless multifunctional gas soldering iron. Well suitable for soldering in hard-to-reach places. It has three modes of operation - like a soldering iron, as a hair dryer and as a gas burner. Its maximum temperature is 1300 degrees, and the temperature is 580 degrees, the system of smooth adjustment of the operating temperature is built into the design, and the Keys and 4 nozzles are included in the kit. Its cost - from 1900 to 2912 rubles.
KVT XZ-1 soldering iron
Dremel VersaFlame - 9th place
Gas soldering iron. It is a universal soldering station suitable for home soldering. It is heated quickly, and the time of its continuous operation is 75 minutes. Its maximum heating temperature is 1200 degrees, the device comes in a set with 4 replaceable nozzles, and its cost from 2680 to 4609 rubles.
Soldering iron Dremel VersaFlame
Sigma 200W - 8th place
Pulse soldering iron, made in the form of a gun with a shockproof case. It has a built-in transformer, and the sting of this soldering iron is made of high quality steel. The kit includes 3 replaceable nozzles. The maximum heating temperature is 400 degrees. Its cost is about 800 rubles.
Video Review of the soldering iron:
Solder Sigma 200W.
Lukey 852D Plus - 7th place
The thermo-air soldering station with a capacity of 350 watts and the maximum temperature of 480 degrees. It has an impressive weight, but it is simple and easy to use. The kit includes a stand and a holder for a hair dryer, which is equipped with an automatic shutdown function. Suitable for soldering by microcircuit, as well as for repairing household appliances and electrical engineering. The device is equipped with a thermostat, and its cost ranges from 5250 to 6590 rubles.
Soldering iron lukey 852d plus
REXANT ZD-708 - 6th place
This is an electric soldering iron with a ceramic heater equipped with a power regulator in the range from 30 to 50 watts. The heating of the conical sting occurs quickly, and the device itself is distinguished by reliability. Its heat-resistant handle is made of transparent plastic. The maximum heating temperature is 200-450 degrees. Its cost from 590 to 1099 rubles.
More about the soldering iron - in video:
Rexant ZD-708 soldering iron
Lukey 852D Plus Fan - 5th place
Thermal-wide soldering station, with a powerful air flow, adjustable with a power of 350 watts and a temperature of 480 degrees. The temperature is also adjustable, and the price of the device is from 449 to 5890 rubles.
Soldering iron Lukey 852D Plus Fan
CT-96 (CT-Tools) - 4th place
Ceramic soldering iron with temperature controller - a special sensor sets the operating temperature (from 100 to 400 degrees), the heating occurs within two minutes and the level of heating is stable during the soldering. Its power is 50 watts, and cost about 530 rubles.
CT-96 soldering iron (CT-Tools)
Proxxon EL 12 (28140) - 3 place
Electric soldering iron with a temperature controller, providing a constant stabilized heating of sting. Heats quickly, for 10 seconds. The body of the soldering iron is protected from heating, in addition, the device is equipped with a backlight, has a small weight, its operating temperature is 250 degrees. The cost of such a soldering iron from 1300 to 1550 rubles.
Soldering iron proxxon el 12 (28140)
Rexant HT-019 (ZD-210) - 2nd place
Electric soldering iron with vacuum suction of molten tin, well suited for homework. Much more convenient soldering with ordinary solder suction. The instrument handle is made of shockproof plastic. Power of the soldering iron 40 watts, working temperature 450 degrees, and cost from 280 to 520 rubles.
Solder Rexant HT-019 (ZD-210)
Dremel Versatip - 1st place
Contact gas soldering iron Dremel Versatip. Comfortable, light, it is universal and can perform the functions of the soldering iron, a gas burner, a hot knife and a hairdryer. The operating time at minimum power is 90 minutes, and at the maximum - 30 minutes. The heating occurs quickly, its maximum temperature is smoothly adjustable, and is at its maximum of 1200 degrees. The kit includes 6 nozzles, and the price of the device from 2545 to 3199 rubles.
Soldering iron Dremel Versatip.
Choosing a soldering iron, it is necessary to rely on the planned scope of work, the frequency of its use and the technical characteristics of a particular instrument.
Varieties
Solders with periodic heating
- Molotkovy and facial Soldiers are a massive work tip, fixed on a relatively long metal handle, the length of which ensures safety in the handling of the tool. To perform non-standard works, the soldering tips of this type are supplied with shaped tips. The heating of these soldiers is carried out by external heat sources. This is the oldest view of the soldiers (there were still ancient times).
- Arc soldering iron - The heating of the soldering iron is carried out by electric arc, periodically excited between the coal electrode placed inside the soldering iron and the tip. A arc soldering iron weighing 1 kg is heated to a temperature of 500 ° C at a voltage of 24 V for 3 minutes, the power consumption is 1.5-2.0 kW.
Solders with constant heating
- Electric devices Solders having a built-in electric heating element, operating from the lighting network, from a downstream transformer or from batteries.
- Gas- Solders with a built-in gas burner (combustible gas is served from the built-in canister or, less often, from an external source).
- Solders, liquid fuel -
- Term-friendly - In them, heating the part occurs by blowing it with hot air. In this, he resembles an industrial hairdryer, but unlike it is used fine air jet.
- Infrared - Heat the part with infrared radiation
Areas of use
Power plants of low power (5-40 W) are commonly used for soldering electronic components with the help of low-melting tin-svintsovo -surmantic solders; This is the main tool of electronics and electromechanics. Powerful electricians (100 and more WT) are used for soldering and tinning massive parts.
Soldering stations
When assembling electrical appliances and electronic devices in the industry, soldering stations are used, providing additional opportunities for soldering, such as adjustment (including thermostatting) of the tag, soldering with hot air or IR radiation, etc.
The device of the rod soldering iron
Household electricians are a thin metal tube, on the one hand there is a heat-resistant plastic or wooden handle, on the other - a replaceable copper rod ("sting"), sharpened at the end under the cone or dihedral angle. The end of the sting is listed. Inside the tube there is an electrically insulated (using ceramics or mica) heating element - a wire of the nichrome or other alloy with a high resistivity, connected to the current-standard cord, passing through the handle and connected to the network or a down transformer or to dimmer.
Work with a rod soldering iron
To bring the soldering iron to the working condition, it is necessary to include it and wait for the heating of the end of the sting to the melting point of the solder (about 5-6 minutes). Before the soldering process, a flux should be applied for better wetting of the metal surface. The rosin is often used as a flux for soldering of small copper parts. Other fluxes can be used for other metals, for example, orthophosphoric acid. It is strictly forbidden to use active fluxes for soldering of printed circuit boards or radio components: for electronics, only rosin or alcohol-catalophole flux can be used.
Interestingly, when you first turn on, such a soldering iron gives smoke and characteristic smell passing in a couple of minutes. This is not a malfunction and occurs due to the burnout of the adhesive tape or the adhesive layer, which glued sheets of mica when winding the heater.
The working current and the working temperature of the soldering iron are falling over time, as the heating wire is evaporated and the transition to oxide occurs, which causes a decrease in its diameter. To compensate for this, the wire diameter initially increases slightly, and to maintain the temperature in the normal place, for responsible missions, use an external retail (power regulator).
Pulse soldering iron
Soldering iron pistol
Device of soldering gun
Or a soldering iron with an open heater - one of the types of domestic soldering iron, which appeared in the USSR back in the 1970s, is a device in the form of a gun, at the end of which there are 2 electrical contacts and illumination. The heating element is fixed to the contacts. Inside there is a transformer that reduces the mains voltage to several volts, which is supplied to the contacts. It is heated by such a soldering iron in 10 seconds. Modern soldering iron instead of incandescent bulb have a LED backlight.
Such solders are very comfortable for heating screws, if they are not twisted.
- in the USSR, there was a special nozzle on the sting of the soldering iron, which could be cutting and welding for example
The soldering iron is a device, which is carried out by melting solder (tin) and apply it to the contact site of parts that are soldered.
Also with the help of the soldering iron, it is possible to lose the subject, that is, to cover it with a thin layer of solder.
Types of heating
Solders are distinguished by the method of heating the working part (sting) on:
Helpful information:
- Electric devices - The heating of the sting is performed using electricity.
- Thermal Soldiers - Heating of the treated surface occurs under the influence of a thin jet of hot air.
- Arc solders - Heating The working element is heated under the influence of an electrical arc between the tip (sting) and the electrode placed inside the soldering iron.
- Facial and hammer - These are soldiers whose tips are fixed on sufficiently long metal handles and are heated using external heat sources.
- Gas soldiers - Present a gas burner.
- Infrared soldering stations - Soldering is carried out by using infrared radiation
The most common are the electrobyavniki. Basically, they differ in power and type of heater.
Electric soldering iron also includes pulsed soldering iron. The peculiarity of the pulse soldiers is the heating of the tag to the right moment. When working with such a soldering iron, a start button is pressed and the sting is rapidly heated if the button is released, then the working part cools quickly.
Types of heater
By type of heater, the electrobyavniki is divided into soldiers:
- With a ceramic heater - in such a soldering iron, rods are used from ceramics, heating under the influence of electricity.
- With nichrome heater - in these used spiral from nichrome wire.
Types of power
In terms of power, electric devices are conditionally divided into:
- Low power - from 15W to 40W. Mainly used in electronics for "fine" soldering
- Average power - from 40W to 100W. Used for spikes and luggage of wires and sufficiently large details
- Solders with a capacity of over 100W. Used to heat and soldering massive objects with large heat transfer
Slaring soldering iron
A very important element of the soldering iron is a sting (that part, with the help of which soldering). The sting is of different shapes - in the form of beveled edges, cone, flat screwdriver, needle, ax. The most common is the sting in the form of a flat screwdriver. On such a stare, the solder is well maintained, and a fairly large area of \u200b\u200bthe sting allows you to warm up the item in a short period of time.
If the sting of the soldering iron is made of copper, without any coating, then its shape can be changed - sharpening with a file or revealed by a hammer. Before starting work, the new soldering iron must be irrevocated. To do this, you need to warm up the soldering iron and remove the oxide from the sting with a small file. After that, to coat the fascinated sting in the rosin and in the solder. If this is not done to melt the solder, such a soldering iron will not work, as the sting will turn.
If the sting is covered with nickel, the so-called "non-aggravated" sting, then it is impossible to process it.
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For many people, soldering iron is considered a device with a heater of spirals. Although there are many types of soldering supplies that differ in the type of consumption energy, ways to convert to heat and heat transfer methods to the place of soldering.
The most common known devices operating from electricity - electricians.
Types of solderingry
Electric pavements with a heater from nichrome
Made with nichrome spiral. Through it passes electric current. In innovative soldering models, there is control of the tip heating using a thermal sensor that gives a signal to turn off the helix in time when the temperature reached the operating mode. The thermal sensor is made on the principle of thermocouple.
Electric pavements with a heater of nichrome have several different versions. Simple soldering iron have a nichrome spiral in the design. It is wound on the housing from the insulating material. Inside the heating rod is inserted. In constructions, more advanced nichrome are built into insulators, which reduce heat loss, increase heat transfer.
There are options with heaters of nichrome placed insulating white insulating material. This element is sometimes taken for a ceramic heater. Manufacturers use it to influence the choice of the buyer of the soldering iron.
Ceramic
There are also soldering structures that have a ceramic heater, in the form of a rod. It is heated from the subordinate voltage to its contacts. Such heaters are recognized as more perfect. They have their own advantages: fast heating, an increased service life (if it is careful to relate to it), a wide power interval and temperature.
Soldering iron induction type
In this device, the rod is heated by an induction coil. The tip is made with a coating of ferromagnetic material. In this material, the coil forms a magnetic field from which the current is reducing the heating core of the soldering iron.
When the temperature reached the desired value, the ferromagnetic coating no longer has magnetic properties, as a result of which the core is no longer heated. When the temperature drops to a certain value, the ferromagnetic properties of the coating are recovered again, the heating of the core begins again. This is how the temperature of the soldering iron core temperature is carried out in the operation range without using the sensor or electronic control.
Pulse soldiers
This type of soldering belongs to a special category. The order of their inclusion is: Press the Start button and hold it down. The tip of the soldering iron is quickly heated, in a few seconds, reaches the operating temperature. Soldering is carried out. After soldering, the button turns off, the soldering iron is cooling.
In the impulse solders of Russian production, the following execution scheme works. The electrical circuit includes a copper wire (it is the tip). The scheme consists of a high frequency transformer, a frequency converter that increases the voltage frequency to 40 kHz. The transformer reduces the network voltage to the working value. The core of the soldering iron is fixed to the current collector of the secondary transformer coil. This makes it possible to form a significant current in it, rapid heating. Innovative soldering iron are equipped with regulators of temperature and power steps that allow you to solder both large parts and elements of fine electronics.
Gas soldiers
They belong to autonomous instruments. Apply in any places. This is their main advantage. Heating of the soldering iron stood comes from the gas flame. The soldering iron is built in a gas cylinder, which can be independently fed from the canister for lighters. If you disconnect the nozzle from such a soldering iron, then it can perform the functions of the gas burner.
Soldering iron on the battery
This device also refers to autonomous tools. It has a small power, up to 15 watts, serves to solder electronic small parts.
There are two types of soldering stations. This is infrared type and thermopower stations. They are not so common, but have their advantages.
Thermal performance Soldane stations are equipped with heating of the soldering area from the head of hot air, which comes out of the soldering nozzle. They resemble hair dryers, which comes out of the air from the nozzle. Compressor and turbine soldering stations are distinguished by the methods of air pressure. The thermal-friendly soldering iron has an electromotor with an impeller, which supplies air flow. In the compressor stations, the pressure is formed by a compressor with a diaphragm. The compressor is also located in the station housing.
Infrared stations Produces heating by radiation of infrared waves. The heating zone may have a size of 10-60 mm. Its sizes are determined by the adjusting system of the infrared emitter window. Different shape of the window is obtained by applying a reflective tape made of foil. It closes the sections of the electronic board that do not need to heat.
How to choose soldering tips
The soldering iron must be chosen based on its parameters for temperature and power, as well as the conditions of application, user's personal requirements. If you need to use a soldering iron where there is no electricity, then the autonomous types of soldering iron are acquired, these are rechargeable or gas. Infrared and thermal stations soldering are used more often for special work for soldering electronics parts. Pulsed heating electricians have high speed, widespread among people who are not loving to wait long heating.
You can highlight some criteria for selecting the soldering iron:
- Power. The required power of the soldering iron is selected depending on the type of work performed. If you need to solder electronic parts, it is better for power up to 25 watts. You can apply the device and with a power of 40 watts, but then on the sting you will have to wind the copper wire or make a nozzle. For tinning and soldering of thick wires, as well as the removal of the solder, it is also the optimal choice.
With more voluminous work on a soldering of massive and tin parts with a significant heat tap, it is better to purchase a soldering iron from 100 to several hundred watts. For such purposes, the soldering iron of a hammer type is well suited.
- Thermostabilization . For professional shareholders, the most comfortable view of the soldering iron was a sample with thermal stabilization, which improves the convenience of work, speed and quality of soldering. For ordinary lovers who occasionally engage in soldering, such a model is also convenient, since it can be set the necessary temperature with its automatic maintenance. It is better that on the soldering iron it was possible to accurate temperature setting, and not just the upper and lower limit. Instead of temperature adjustment, a power change may be offered, which has no connection with the temperature. Without load and recycle heat, soldering iron will overheat, and with good heat transfer during the soldering, temperatures may not be enough to work. The power regulator for the soldering iron is based on the dimmer.
- Sting. An important thing when choosing a soldering iron is to have the ability to change various configurations of sting. If the core of the soldering iron is made of copper, the configuration of the sting can be easily accomplished any shape if it is sharpened. You can also instead of sharpening flatten it with a hammer. And if the core is covered with a non-heat material (nickel or other metal), then it is not recommended to sharpen it. Therefore, when solving the selection of the soldering iron, you need to ask the seller about the configuration of its spare stals.
Balay, covered with nickel, do not allow access to copper. Electric soldering iron with such stals require accurate circulation, prevent overheating. The coating may be insufficient quality.
The shapes of the tips exist most different: cone-shaped, in the form of a needle, with a bevelled edge, in the form of a screwdriver, etc. Each form is suitable for its type of work. Universal forms are sting, sharpened under the screwdriver. They are suitable for many types of work. Solder on them well holds. Due to the considerable area of \u200b\u200bthe bevel, you can quickly heat the part for soldering.
The soldiers' manufacturers advise to apply native sting, which are included in the set of ceramic heaters, as when replacing the tips on the details of other manufacturers, the temperature of the heater's operation is disturbed, which causes its breakdown.
- Nichrome or ceramic . Some amateurs often dealt with radio components can provide specific recommendations and advice on their experience to apply such devices with various types of heater.
The advantages of nichrome wire as a heater: low cost, less than the ceramic model is not dangerous drops and blows. Disadvantages: Slow heating, limited service life, as gradually when the wire is combined. But this happens only with a long daily application. If soldering occasionally, the nichrome wire will not burn.
The advantage of the ceramic heating element is durability. With careful accurate work, the soldering iron will serve for many years. The speed of its heating is higher than nuclear. From the disadvantages you can call the danger of breakage when you hit or fall. The soldering iron works only with his own rods.