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soldering iron solder and flux

  • 22-05-2011 5:45pm
    #1
    Grim.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,855 ✭✭✭


    hey lads

    so im looking to start soldering and was wondering what type of voltage soldering iron solder and flux i should be looking for and where to buy them also what gauge of wire should i be looking at for least resistance

    any help would be great


Comments

  • #2
    NakedDex
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 ✭✭✭NakedDex


    It's not voltage that you need to look at (your power socket is 230V regardless after all), but temperature. Wattage of the iron gives a rough indication, but temp is key. Personally, I'd recommend a variable one. They're more expensive, but far more useful and usually last a lot longer as you'll find you rarely need full power anyway.

    Solder and flux come down to what you're doing. A decent 60/40 solder with flux incorporated in it will cover you for 90% of things. Thickness of the solder only comes into importance when you're dealing with super-fine or very heavy soldering. A diameter of .7-1mm is fine for most things on an AEG and general solder work.
    Flux isn't necessary when using this on most things, but a small tub of flux from RS or Farnell will last years anyway.

    I'd recommend some tip-cleaner too. Dirty solder tips make for bad/dry connections.

    Wire resistance is always a compromise. There's an old nerdy electronics joke that goes: Resistance is futile (if <1Ohm). This basically means of your wire resistance is less than an ohm, forget about it. It's going to cause you no trouble at all.
    Silver plated copper is the most conductive while being cost effective, and go for as high a gauge as you can fit in the box comfortably. A lot of people suggest 18AWG, I prefer 16AWG if I can fit it. No huge difference. Silicon insulated wire has a higher durability, but avoid the "extra flexible" type as they're both more fiddly to run in, and have slightly higher resistance values (effective conductor cross section is a fair bit lower in these than it would be in, say, 16 core).


    Oh, and get a solder sucker. Nobody ever remembers they need one until it's too late. A forceps is handy to have as a heatsink too.


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