Mastering soldering techniques to solder electronics is one of the essential skills that every manufacturer must learn. This article gives you a detailed insight into the soldering types, soldering irons, soldering stations, desoldering methods, and some safer measures to follow.

What Is Soldering in Electronics?

If you ever look closely at an electronic device with a printed circuit board, there you see that all the components of the circuit board are integrated through soldering methods. Soldering is a method of integrating the components and another electronic part on the surface of the circuit board by placing a melting solder mask around the components. A solder is generally a metal base that gives a strong and firm electronic connection between the components when it cools down.

Soldering Electronics Tools

One of the best things about learning soldering skills is that it is not complex and doesn’t require much from you. There are various soldering tools that help in the soldering process. Some of the most used soldering tools are described below.

· Soldering Iron:

Soldering Iron is a manual tool operated by plugging into the power supply of 120V AC. When the current passes through the iron, it heats up and melts the solder. A soldering iron is one of the important and widely used soldering tools. It is available in distinct forms, like a gun or pen, depending upon its usage. For starters, pen form soldering iron is mostly recommended between the range of 15W to 30W. Moreover, some soldering comes with variant tips that can be interchangeable and used for different purposes. A standard soldering iron can warm up to 896 Fahrenheit; therefore, use it carefully while using it. 

· Soldering Station:

The soldering station is considered the latest version of the traditional soldering pen. It is a great choice if there are a lot of components to solder. Moreover, its flexible features and controlling features make it an ideal choice. One of the biggest benefits of using a soldering station is that it allows for adjustment of the heat of the iron according to device requirements. Moreover, these soldering stations come with temperature sensors, password settings, and alert settings and give a quite safe space for work.  

· Soldering Iron Tips:

The end part of the soldering pen or iron is known as the soldering Tip. Most of the soldering irons come with an interchangeable soldering tip. These tips come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on their usage. Each Tip is specially designed to offer specific benefits and purposes. The Chisel tip and the Conical Tip are both commonly used tips in almost all electronic projects.

1. Chisel Tip consists of a broad flat pin which is ideal for soldering larger components or wires. 
2. Conical Tip consists of a fin tip which is especially used for attaining precision in the soldering process since it has a very pointed tip that ensures the transfer of heat even to smaller spaces without causing any disruption in the surroundings. 

· Brass or Conventional Sponge:

Conventional or brass sponge is also one of the most important soldering tools. It helps in cleaning the iron tip of the soldering iron. It ensures the removal of the leftover oxides on the iron tip. Due to oxidation on the iron tip, it gets black and does not accept more solder than it did before. A wet sponge can also be used though it might affect the lifespan of the iron due to contraction and expansion. Moreover, it also drops out the temperature of the soldering iron tip when it is used. Therefore, brass sponges are always a good option. 

· Soldering Iron Stand:

A soldering Iron stand is one of the basic tools, and it also gives a handful of benefits. It keeps the hot soldering iron away from the other flammable materials that might get caught fire accidentally when it comes into contact with it. This could also lead to hand injuries. Most of the soldering irons come with a built-in stand and cleaning brass sponge. 

· Solder

The soldier is a mixture of metals that is used to bond electrical components together by melting them. There are both lead-free and lead variations of solder. They also come with different diameters like 0.062” and 0.32”. Under the core of the solder, there is a flux named material that supports improving mechanical strength and electrical connection between the components. 

Rosin lead-free core solder is one of the common types of soldering for electronic devices. This solder is basically a mixture of Copper or Tin. It also comes with lead, of which 60% is tin and 40% is lead. But this soldier is losing their fame as it affects health. However, always wash your hands, and do proper ventilation before using lead solder.

Always choose a non-acid core solder because the acid core might damage the components and circuits. Solder with the acid core is commonly sold at house maintenance stores and is widely used for metalworking and plumbing.

Since solder comes in various forms and diameters, the diameter of 0.062” of solder is ideal for soldering bigger joints faster. However, it might not work well with smaller joints. Therefore, make sure to have both soldiers with distinct diameters. 

· Helping Hand

The Helping hand is a type of device with two or sometimes more alligator clips. It also contains a magnifying lens in some variations. It helps you in holding the components that you need for soldering while you manage the soldering iron. This is one of the most helpful tools that you should have in your working space.

· Soldering Safety

As you already know, what types of soldering tools and devices are used in the soldering process of electronic devices? Here are some practical safety tips that ensure your safety during soldering.

The soldering iron has a temperature limit of over 800’ Fahrenheit which is quite a lot of high. Therefore, it is recommended to use an iron stand that protects from unwanted events of fire and burning.

Always ensure to work in an open space or ventilated space. During the heating process of solder, the alloy releases toxic fumes, which can be dangerous for the lungs and eyes. That is why it is recommended to install a fume extractor. It is a type of fan that contains a charcoal filter that ensures that no harmful toxins are left in the room.

Moreover, always use glasses while working with solder as the hot solder might get a splash on your eyes. 

Last but most importantly, always wash your hands after the soldering process so that there won’t be a toxin left on your hands.

· Tinning The Tip

Before starting the soldering process, the first step is tinning the Tip of the soldering iron with the solder. This supports the transfer of heat faster from the soldering iron to the soldering components. Tinning also ensures the reduction of wear and protects the iron tip. 

1. First, ensure that the Tip is firmly attached and screwed well in place.
2. Turn on the power of the soldering iron. Leave it for a few minutes to heat up. If you are using a soldering station, then you can adjust the temperature to 400’C 
3. Take a cleaning sponge and clean the Tip of the iron with a wet sponge. Left the iron on the stand to warm up again.
4. Then hold the solder in one hand and the soldering iron in another. Touch the iron tip with the solder and ensure that the solder flows swiftly around the iron tip.

You can also repeat this process after the soldering session too. It enhances the life span of soldering.

How To Solder Electronics? 

1. Mount The Components:

First of all, start with the wires of LEDs. Put them in the drill holes of the printed circuit board. Flip the circuit board and bend the wires on the outer side at an angle of 45’. This helps in creating a better connection of the components with the copper board and protecting it from dropping during the soldering.

2. Heat The Joint:

Turn on the power of the soldering iron and let it heat up. If it has adjustable temperature control, then set the temperature to 400’C. Then touch the iron tip to the resistor lead and the copper pad simultaneously. Put the soldering iron at the exact point for almost 3 to 4 seconds to heat the lead and pad up.

3. Apply Solder To Joint:

Keep holding the soldering iron in the same position as touching copper and lead, and then touch the solder with the joint. An important thing to note here is that you never touch the iron tip directly with the solder. You have to be sure that the joint is heated enough to melt the solder right away. If the joint is cold, then it will create bad connections.

4. Snip The Leads:

Remove the iron from the joint and let it cool down the solder naturally. Don’t blow over the solder to cool it down, as it makes bad connections. Once the solder is cool down, snip the exaggerated wires from the leads. 

A perfect joint is shiny and smooth and gives a cone and volcano shape look. Just put enough solder so that the joint will be covered. Too much solder makes a solder ball which can be spilled over other joints or leads.

Desoldering

One of the good facts about soldering is that it can easily be removed through a process called desoldering. This helps in removing the component as well as making corrections in the soldering process. For the desoldering process, you just need a solder wick, also referred to as a desoldering braid.

1. Place a small piece of solder wick or desoldering braid over the solder tip you want to remove.

Heat up the soldering iron. Touch the iron tip to braid. This heats up the solder, which will be absorbed by the braid. Remove the desoldering braid and check whether the solder was removed properly or not. Touch the braid carefully, as it still might be hot.