How to Use a Soldering Iron

Published on: 03 September 2018 Last Updated on: 29 January 2022

Of all techniques and methods used to join surfaces, metal sheets, Iron, and other objects together, soldering is highly preferred because it does not cause any type of damage to the items being joined together. This is because the solder used to stick them together has a lower melting point than most metals and it offers durable yet reversible bonds between the items. In addition to that, although there are a few key differences between the two types of soldering gear used, they share a similar trait and they’re both easily operable, which we will discover more in this article

What Is Soldering?

There are several types of soldering using different filler metals called solder, but, they all use the same concept which is heating a filler metal between two items so that it melts and fills the seam between the two items.

Soldering is done using either individually bought soldering gear, which allows you to choose the type of tool that is most suitable for the project you are planning to work on, or a soldering station which usually is a standard combination of a soldering iron and a power supply.

Soldering Iron

In order to learn how to use a soldering iron, one must first know its basic parts and the science behind its mode of operation.

It is simply a tool that connects to a power supply, it consists of a handle that doesn’t conduct heat and a tip that heats up very quickly to high temperatures so it can melt the solder, it also cools down fast.

To Be More Specific, The Main Parts Of Soldering Iron Are:

Soldering tip: All soldering irons contain iron tips which are the only part that heats up; it doesn’t ooze out the solder as most people think, it simply heats the metals being joined so that when the solder is applied, it melts, but more often than not, the solder would stick on the tip. Luckily, most tips are interchangeable so, you can replace your tip in case of damage or in case you need a specialized tip to suit your uses; bear in mind that tips vary in size and shape, thus, they vary in their uses as well.
Wand: The wand is the handheld part of the iron that the tip is attached to. It can be made from a large number of materials that poorly conduct heat or isolate it completely so as to prevent heat from the tip from transferring to the part where the wand makes contact with the skin. Inside the wand, there are wires and metal contacts that conduct and convert the electricity from the power outlet to heat. The contradicting functions of a wand are the reason why most people prefer to buy high-quality wands from renowned brands.

Of course, there are other extras and accessories like brass sponges, cradles, and tip tinner which can be purchased individually or found in soldering stations which is actually one of the advantages of soldering stations; but, the two main parts will always remain the tip and the wand.

Step 1: Safety

First of all, before using a soldering iron, you must be familiar with standard safety precautions since the iron tends to get really hot; not to mention the fact that solder is literally molten metal. So, it would be smart of you to wear protective gear such as; safety goggles and protective gloves, because your fingers are most likely to come into contact with the tip during the first few times. You also should keep in mind to tie your hair and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes. Moreover, it is preferable to work in a well-ventilated area since some types of solder contain lead which produces toxic fumes, it is also important to thoroughly clean your hands after handling lead-based material.

Step 2: Preparing The Tip

The tip should be regularly cleaned of any old solder because when old solder solidifies, it turns into a heat isolator due to oxidization resulting in a totally inefficient and highly wasteful soldering process. Not only that but also, slow heating means that you will have to hold the iron to the items being joined for a longer time; it would be highly inconvenient for you and very damaging for sensitive objects like PCBs.

So, when the iron is fully heated, softly drag the tip against a sponge to remove old solder. You want to aim for a shiny tip. After cleaning the tip, you should “tin” the tip; to make it last longer and conduct heat better through newfound layers of solder. Same as above, on a fully heated iron, apply a little piece of solder and lightly coat the tip with tinner; then, immediately start soldering while cleaning and tinning the tip between every couple of joints for maximum conductivity and efficiency.

Step 3: Actual soldering

With your dominant hand holding the iron and the other holding a piece of solder, touch the area where the object comes into contact with the solder and hold it there for about a second then slide the solder underneath the tip while pushing the solder rod further according to how much solder you need.

Then, make sure to pull back the solder first while holding the tip in position until all the solder melts; it usually takes about five seconds or less. Solder cools down fast so, you will not need to blow on the joint since it will only lead to a weak joint which can be identified by its oxidized, unclear, and grainy appearance. What you want to get is a smooth connection, not a lump.

Finishing touches :

After you’ve had enough soldering for the day, clean and in the tip again before you put it into storage, it helps increase its lifespan.

As you may have noticed, soldering is not that hard of a task, it only requires soldering gear, steady hands, and concentration. So, go ahead, start soldering, and don’t be afraid to get creative.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

What Are The Advantages Of Chrome Vanadium Steel?

Chrome vanadium steel has become popular for its exceptional mechanical properties and varied uses across the vast expanse of manufacturing strong, durable, and versatile tools and components. It's now the go-to solution for engineers, craftsmen, and manufacturers in different industrial niches. So how about we dive in a little to see why chrome vanadium steel is revered in metallurgy? 1. Chrome Vanadium Steel Emanates Strength and Toughness Primely, chrome vanadium steel stands out from other metals, such as carbon steel, due to its alloy composition of chromium and vanadium, which results in hardness and wear resistance. At the same time, it maintains flexibility and impact resistance. It presents a unique blend of properties that fortifies the tools and components made from this alloy to withstand heavy loads, repetitive stress, and harsh working conditions without compromise. 2. Chrome Vanadium Steel for Corrosion Resistance While the environment has always been tough on metals due to rust, chrome vanadium steel is not permeable to rust. It boasts a longer lifespan, thanks to the chromium content, which is handy when forming a protective oxide layer on the surface upon exposure to oxygen. You may use chrome vanadium steel even in moist or corrosive atmospheres. 3. Chrome Vanadium Steel for Wear Resistance Unlike conventional carbon steel, chrome vanadium steel can resist wear. It follows that the alloy bears hardening properties, which makes its products retain their structural integrity and resist abrasion or stress. As such, it's versatile for cutting tools since it can retain sharp edges. Still, it may be used on screws, milers, bolts, and wrenches. 4. High Fatigue Strength If you run an industry where repetitive tasks are common, fatigue failure can be challenging. It would help if you had metal such as chrome vanadium steel due to its ability to withstand cyclic loading and deformation without succumbing to fatigue cracks. And so, it can be an ideal choice for springs, automotive components, and various tools subjected to repetitive use. Also, this aspect tends to ensure safety and durability throughout their usage. 5. Cost-Effective Solution While chrome vanadium steel remains with exceptional properties, it's still cost-effective. Its constituent elements, chromium, and vanadium, are readily available, thus making it affordable. Moreover, it benefits you from the prolonged lifespan, fewer maintenance requirements, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Factor this up, and you realize it truly justifies the initial investment. 6. Wide Range of Applications Chrome vanadium steel is versatile as it gets. To begin with, it finds its use in manufacturing hand tools, automotive parts, and industrial machinery to craft high-performance aerospace parts. Its flexibility to heat treatment and various forming processes further expands its application range, making it a preferred choice for your intricate engineering needs. Conclusion As you can see, chrome vanadium steel is a powerhouse alloy, which means strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. Considering its high fatigue strength and cost-effectiveness, it remains a favorite in diverse industries. Even so, technology and innovation are set to advance, and you can expect this alloy to be in more demand or even find more uses. Lastly, If you are in search of high-purity vanadium, try out HUBEI OUSHI METAL CO., LTD. Read Also: Is Prefabricated Metal The Future Of Warehouse Construction? Is Steel/Iron Ore A Good Career Path In 2021? Best Uses for Stainless Steel in Construction

5 Eye-Opening Reasons to Choose Certified E-Waste Recycling Agencies

Let’s see if this situation sounds familiar. You just bought the latest phone on the market. And, like any responsible citizen, you took the old gadget to an e-waste recycling center and deposited it. You walked out of the center confident that the old phone would be taken care of safely. You then forgot about the gadget altogether. Well! The story doesn’t quite end there. And, if you are an environmentally conscious person, you may want to take a closer look behind the scenes to identify what happens to the redundant and used devices once they leave your ownership. Did You Check for the Certification of the E-Waste Recycling Center? Should you check this feature on MoneyCrashers, you will come across an interesting observation. Delivering your e-waste to a recycling agency does not guarantee safe disposal. That’s because many such centers use unscrupulous methods to get rid of the gadgets. While the measures they use may comply with U.S. e-waste management regulations, they could cause severe damage to the environment in other offshore locations. The only way you can get complete assurance that the old electronics will be taken care of the right way is if you deposit them at certified recycling centers. Alternatively, you can exchange them at the original manufacturer. It might interest you to know that in the year 2015, Apple accepted and recycled 90 million pounds of electronic gadgets to extract usable materials. These materials included plastic, 6612 pounds of silver, 2.9 million pounds of copper, and 2204 pounds of gold. Choosing a certified e-waste recycling agency when getting rid of old and used electronics ensures that your gadgets will not end up in landfills and pollute the environment around your hometown. But, that’s just one good reason. Here are 4 more. 1. Recycling Agencies Choose Supposedly Economical Methods for IT Asset Disposal: You might think that you’re doing your bit to help the environment by recycling cell phones and other devices. But, keep in mind that although the recovered materials are valuable, the recycling process is not exactly economical for regular agencies. Extracting metals for reuse involves a careful process using the right kind of equipment and trained personnel. To save on the expense of dismantling old gadgets and separating the useful materials, most agencies simply ship them off to third-world countries. Would you like to know how the process works? Containers reaching the shores of the U.S. from Hong Kong and other vendor companies across the world are typically sent back empty after the goods are unloaded from them. In an attempt to cash in on the reverse transportation, the giant cargo boxes are now filled with used electronics and sent to Far East destinations under the guise of donations for philanthropic purposes. 2. Environmental Damage is Transferred to Third World Countries: When the gadgets make their way to countries like China, Ghana, and India, unskilled laborers including young children burn them in giant pits. Once the process is complete, all that remains is the precious metals that are sorted out without any regard for the toxic materials in the ashes. These poisons like arsenic, bromates, lead, and cadmium not only leach into the soil and underground water, but also cause various illnesses among the people who handle them or live around the processing plants. To know more about the extent of the damage, read this article in the Smithsonian magazine. If you’re looking for e-waste recycling procedures that protect the environment not just in your country, but also in any other location around the world, deliver your devices to certified agencies. 3. Irresponsible E-Waste Recycling is the Largest Cause of Data Breaches: Should you work with a licensed recycling company, the expert professionals will make sure to dispose of the hard drives in them securely. They may use DoD-approved multiple overwriting or shredding protocols to erase the data and make it impossible to decipher. Why is this important? According to PBS, The U.S. State Department has identified Ghana as the top sources of data leaks in the world. Hard drives from discarded electronics are easily available to hackers here at $35 apiece. Even novice cybercriminals can retrieve records of online transactions, credit cards, personal financial data, and various other kinds of sensitive information. Enoch Kwesi Messiah is a computer scientist at the Regent University in Accra. He reveals, “I can get your bank numbers and I retrieve all your money from your accounts. If ever somebody gets your hard drive, he can get every information about you from the drive, no matter where it is hidden.” A shocking incident reported in recent times involves the details of a government contract worth $22 million that were extracted from an old hard drive. When attempts were made to locate the source, it was traced back to Northrop Grumman, one of the military contractors of the country. The drive also held highly classified information about contracts with Homeland Security, NASA, and the U.S. defense intelligence agency. Think about it! If government agencies can become the targets of millions of dollars worth of data breaches, your information is a much easier target. 4. Recycling Lowers Wastage of the Earth’s Resources: Reusing gadgets and recovering reusable materials from them will help reverse some of the wastage of the earth’s resources. Should you check some of the statistics revealed by ThoughtCo., you will learn that the power saved by recycling a cell phone can run a laptop for 44 hours. If all of the 130 million phones annually discarded in the U.S. were recycled, the energy saved could power 24,000 homes for a whole year. Other than gold, silver, and copper, cell phones also contain palladium, platinum, tin, and zinc, all of which are metals that can be used and reused several times over simply by adopting the proper e-waste recycling methods. Responsible e-waste recycling is now more about protecting the environment in your country. The problem has become so huge that you need to take a step back and carefully view the big picture. Saving the earth begins with every citizen who upgrades to a new gadget. Have you REALLY done your bit? Read Also: Layman’s Guide For Improving Your Phone’s Signal Strength Best IPhone Spy Apps Without Jail Breaking

Do You Need a GoPro Nowadays? Is It Worth Buying?

The world has seen astonishing advancements in technology in the last two decades. Like other fields, photography continues to evolve with time. From lighting to cameras, everything has changed for the better. One significant progress is the GoPro camera. The invention of GoPro created a buzz in the world of photography. Everyone was thrilled to know about its incredible features. From portability to wearability, every aspect is fascinating. It has revolutionized the scope of photography and taken it to the next level. After many years of its launch, some people are still unsure whether GoPro is worth the hype or not. This blog will give you an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the GoPro camera. A. Pros of a GoPro Camera: 1. Small and Lightweight: One of the biggest advantages of GoPro is its portability. It does not require a lot of space in the luggage, and you can fit it in your pocket. Its accessories, like the charger, remote and mount, are also small and lightweight. Source: Pinterest 2. Wearable: The biggest wish of every adventurer is to capture shots of his crazy experiences. The invention of the GoPro camera made this wish come true. You can wear it on any part of your body from head to toe and capture amazing scenes. If you want to shoot moments in water or mid-air, GoPro is the best choice. Source: Pinterest 3. Durable: The GoPro camera is durable which makes it an ideal choice for daredevils. Despite its small size, the GoPro camera is quite strong and capable of bearing immense pressure. Source: Gadget Review 4. Waterproof: The waterproof feature of GoPro is a blessing for all the adventure junkies. You never know how the conditions turn out to be when you travel outdoors so this quality can be helpful. Whether you want to make an underwater video or take a photo in rain or snow, GoPro can do everything. Source: Pinterest 5. HD Videos: Even though the GoPro camera is not built for high-tech functionalities, it surprisingly has some impressive features. One such feature is the high definition video. You can make action videos of excellent image quality and color grading under different lighting conditions. GoPro cameras also come with a built-in stabilization feature to produce crystal clear streaming videos. Source: Cultofmac 6. Wide Angle Shots: Another fascinating feature of the GoPro camera is its ability to take wide angle shots. It has an ultra-wide fisheye look which enables it to capture a broader view in the frame. It is suitable for landscapes where you want to capture all the objects of the view. You have to come closer to the target to get a perfect shot. Read more about using the fisheye effect here. Source: Digital Trends 7. Wi-Fi Connectivity: Wi-Fi connectivity is a feature that enhances the effectiveness of GoPro. It comes with a Wi-Fi remote that can help you connect to the internet anytime. This will allow you to access the GoPro app where you can use helpful tools to enhance your photos. B. Cons of a GoPro Camera: 1. Battery Life: One of the most significant issues of a GoPro camera is its short battery life. If used regularly, its battery drains out within a few hours. If you are planning to use GoPro during traveling, you should carry a charger; otherwise, you are in trouble. There are ways to fix the battery problem. Like you can use an external battery pack or a battery with a longer lifespan. If you want an all-in-one solution to your battery needs, V-mount batteries are the way to go. Source: How to Geek 2. Responsiveness: Lack of responsiveness of the GoPro camera is an area of concern. Manual controls of GoPro camera are not that convenient. It has a loose shutter, and the software is not that user-friendly. The customization options of GoPro cameras are limited, and they are also not easily accessible. Source: Techspot 3. No Zoom: Another drawback of the GoPro cam is that it does not offer a zoom feature. This means that if you want to get an intimate shot of an object, you have to get closer to it. Source: Video Studio Pro 4. Color Balance: The image quality of the GoPro camera is excellent in brightness, but things can get a bit cloudy in low light. If you take a shot of sunset or sunrise from a GoPro, the result might not come up to your expectations. It does not provide a uniform blend of colors when there is uneven lighting in the shot. Source: GoPro Is GoPro Worth Buying? The main question is yet to be answered whether GoPro is worth buying or not. People will have contradicting views on this question. If you analyze all its pros and cons, you will find out that its positives edge out the negatives. Plus, its price is way less compared to other cameras in the market. Another reason which makes it a good choice is its wide scope and convenience of usage. Conclusion: GoPro is one of the biggest inventions in our generation. With its unique design and excellent features, it has made a mark in the market. It allows you to capture shots of real-time action and can be an exciting addition to your gadget collection. After considering all the aspects, it is safe to say that if you plan to buy a GoPro camera, then you should do so. It’s definitely worth buying! Read Also: What Is A CMOS Camera? Best Deer Hunting Trail Camera Tips For Scouting Wildlife How To Pick The Best Trail Camera 2019 “Best Guide For The Users”

How to Use a Soldering Iron

What Is Soldering?

Soldering Iron