Soldering iron is a hand tool for soldering or using heat to melt the solder and join supplies. Common among electricians, this is used for quite a few applications. It may seem technical and complicated to beginners who want to repair things at their own home. But, don’t fret, here is a handy little guide for them to understand what is soldering iron, its uses and other top facts about it.
What is soldering iron?
- Used to join objects small in nature using solder, this is a nifty little trick to tackle with a wire that won’t function properly with adhesive.
- It applies heat for melting solder that flows in to join two workpieces.
- Typically it is used for installation as well as repairs and also on limited production.
- You will find the best soldering iron in the electronic assembly of various appliances and devices we use in our daily life.
- Soldering iron can also be used for high volume production using other methods.
- To use a soldering iron in high volume production, large iron is used for soldering joint with the help sheet metal on objects.
- There are other less common methods of soldering iron like pyrography and plastic welding.
Where can you use a soldering iron?
- Roofing trades
- In the application of roofing, soldering iron is very useful and strongly preferred.
- In roofing trades, galvanized metal is used for application in flashing.
- For copper roofs, components are used for flashing.
- Usually with the help of gas assistance.
- Metal gutters
- Similar to roofing, here also, metal is joined through fusion for flashing.
- The use of soldering iron makes the metal gutter leak proof and permanent.
- Stained glass and mosaics
- Even in the world of art and its admiration, soldering iron plays a part.
- It’s also used on beautiful glass and mosaics
- Circuit board.
- A very practical application of soldering iron is its uusage on circuit boards. It helps to connect two electrical wires for electrical continuity
- Soldering locks the wiring down and adheres it to the circuit board.
How to use soldering iron yourself?
- Safety first!
- Safety glasses are a must while working with soldering iron.
- You are strongly advised to put on loose clothing and keep your hair tied up as well when you are deal with soldering iron.
- Cleaning and trimming the tip
- Since the iron tip of the tool is exposed to air, it tends to get oxidized. Thus, for proper usage, old scolds from the tip are to be removed to prevent heat insulation.
- Keep a wet sponge handy and gently scrape the tip when it is fully heated to clean it.
- Then apply fresh scold to the tip and it is ready for application.
- Joining parts
- Touch the old scold with the heated tip and hold it there.
- Slide it and hold it again.
- This will remove the previous scold or other material applied for adhesion.
- Now pull away, hold the tip with new solder until it melts and pull away.
- Finally, the joint is good and is ready to be used.
- Use a solder sucker or solder wick (copper weave) for desoldering.
