Tool Advice

blahblahbla

Im looking for advice on tools for working on circuits I have an electrical soldering iron but Ive been told that gas irons are hotter and easier to work with what do you guys think?

I have also bought a desoldering vacume pump but I think its very weak as its not sucking up the solder like I see it done online can anyone recommend a good brand of gun?

spideog7

Hotter doesn't really mean it's easier to work with, in fact it could just mean you'll ruin every component you touch or burn the copper off the stripboard. I've always had the best experience with the electric ones that let you control the temperature fairly accurately. Another thing is to make sure the solder you have is the right type for what you're working with.

As for the desoldering pump I don't know but it could just be an experience thing, I never knew how to use them but I did a soldering course at one point a few years back and everything seemed to be so much easier once you're shown how to do it properly. Again personally I've had good experiences using a braid and a flux pen.

DublinDilbert

blahblahbla wrote: »

Im looking for advice on tools for working on circuits I have an electrical soldering iron but Ive been told that gas irons are hotter and easier to work with what do you guys think?

I have also bought a desoldering vacume pump but I think its very weak as its not sucking up the solder like I see it done online can anyone recommend a good brand of gun?

What are you planning on soldering?

The trick to the desolering pump is to get the solder hot enough... solder wick is also handy too...

Check out deal extreme for tools like tweezers, solder wick etc...

blahblahbla

DublinDilbert wrote: »

What are you planning on soldering?

Circuit boards mainly for a start, im just trying to learn about how electronic devices work.

DiarmaidGNR

Practice, and i'm sure there is a tutorial on youtube somewhere.
Here's some tips,- keep the soldering tip clean
- let it get up to proper working temp before use
- use good quality solder

The main thing is practice, but be sure to look up a tutorial.
Gas soldering irons are pretty crappy and should only by used when in remote locations. Apart from that there isn't much difference in the electric ones, get one with a good tip.

DublinDilbert

DiarmaidGNR wrote: »

Practice, and i'm sure there is a tutorial on youtube somewhere.
Here's some tips,- keep the soldering tip clean
- let it get up to proper working temp before use
- use good quality solder

The main thing is practice, but be sure to look up a tutorial.
Gas soldering irons are pretty crappy and should only by used when in remote locations. Apart from that there isn't much difference in the electric ones, get one with a good tip.

+1

I only use the Gas soldering iron if i'm working on the car or something and need to solder two wires together etc...

If you just learning i would get something like a cheapish "antex" iron with a small + medium tip, i think maplin sell them.

The main trick with soldering is getting enough heat into both the objects you are trying to join together, before you introduce the solder.