anyone know about soldering irons?

[diluzio91]

I just got this for free... anyone know if its decent?

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0730.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0734.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0739.jpg

also, can anyone link me to a good site or thread to learn how to solder wires together? thanks

[Diamon]

As far as I see there's no way to see if it's any good from the pictures, try it out and find out for yourself :)

As for how to solder:
1: Take the two ends you want to solder together and wrap the metal around each other as tightly as possible.

2: Take some soldering tin and melt it against the tip of the soldering iron so you got some tin on it.

3: Take your soldering iron and hold it against the metal, heating it up.

4: Press the soldering tin against the metal next to the soldering iron, not against the actual soldering iron.

5: The tin will melt and form a bond provided the metal is hot enough.

6. Move the soldering iron away.

You're all done!

Be careful to not melt any plastic/whatever because evaporated plastic is poisonous. The smoke coming from the melting tin however is, supposedly, not poisonous.

Oh, and if it's the first time you use it you might want to clean it off, do that by using a moist cleaning sponge and rub the tip against it while the iron is hot.

[Oneslowz28]

Soldering 101: Soldering Wires together. http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20836

Soldering 102: Soldering Iron Tip Maintenance. http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=294891

Soldering 103: PCB Soldering (will be posted tomorrow.)

[Oneslowz28]

Oh and yes that is a very very very nice iron. New its in the $400 range. Keep it clean and it should last for years. You should be able to pick up some tips for it on ebay. If you ever want to sell or trade it hit me up.

[dr.walrus]

I just got this for free... anyone know if its decent?

LOL

That's a Ferrari compared to what most of us own. The two I have would be ratty old Skodas in comparison.

[x88x]

LOL

That's a Ferrari compared to what most of us own. The two I have would be ratty old Skodas in comparison.

Hmmm, what would that make mine? A Rover? :P

Oh, and yeah dude, that's a great iron.
http://www.metcal.com/

[diluzio91]

lol... i guess i better learn how to use it... man, i dont get lucky when often... but when i do i guess i really really do...

[Oneslowz28]

Make sure you get some good solder. Not the thick stuff you can buy at lowes or any other hardware store. Its made to solder copper pipes together and the rosin in its core is very acidic and not good for electronics use.

This 1lb spool will last for years unless you solder every single day. Its .031 in diameter and will be great for general use. http://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Spool/dp/B00068IJPO

[diluzio91]

this was also given to me, will this work?

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0741.jpg

[Oneslowz28]

Yep that is some choice solder too. Very HQ stuff.

[Mark_Hardware]

All that stuff is terrible! You should get rid of it right away!

As your friend, I am willing to take it from you- I know, it's a lot to ask of me. Don't you worry about that now.

[x88x]

Interesting..I've never seen an expiration date on solder before...

[diluzio91]

ill gladly let you take it off my hands... in return for some of those junky 250 gb ssds and some of those equally lame ati 5870's lol. i know.. .i know.. im a saint!... Thanks for the info guys... ill post pics of my first soddering attempts soon

[ownaginatious]

Oh man... all this talk of soldering irons made me curious to look at the solder I've been using:

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu157/ownaginatious/306ef0a6.jpg

40% Lead?! :eek:

I've been handling this with my bare hands forever D:.

GG my health...

[Oneslowz28]

people have been using led solder for years. You are fine. I use led solder everyday. Something like 60% of the copper plumbing in America is soldered with LED / Tin solder.

That is however, not the right solder for electronics. Its a good rule in general to avoid any solder made by OATEY when working with electronics.