by admin on April 26, 2010
We know you guys like videos and most of the time, it’s easier to learn from a video as opposed to a blog article or white paper.
While trolling YouTube for interesting videos, I found the YouTube channel for BEST Inc. It turn out they frequently upload how-to soldering videos to their YouTube channel. The topic of the videos range from repairing a damaged PCB corner to PCB pad repair using epoxy.
Not only does BEST Inc supply PCB repair products, training kits and repair kits but they also offer solder and rework/repair training courses through their IPC Master Certification Solder Training Center. BEST Inc offers both instructor and operator classes as well as customized classes, plus their training courses are trusted by corporations such as IBM, Rockwell, Northrop and more.
Here’s an example of one of their informative videos…the video demonstrates how to repair PCB laminate.
If you’re looking to repair a PCB, we do carry some BEST Inc PCB repair parts including circuit frames and eyelets…we also carry a few repair kits.
by admin on July 17, 2009
From time to time we find handy lists of tips and tricks about soldering, and these lists seem to be fairly popular. Since Weller knows soldering, I thought I’d pass on a list we recently found. You may have seen several of these tips in our other posts (here’s a list of articles regarding soldering tips and tips for soldering) but it’s always a good reminder; plus there are a few new ones. This helpful list not only explains what not to do but also why and what could happen.
1. Do not remove the soldering tip from the iron while the power is on…this causes the temperature of the element to rise which results in thermal shock and shortens the life of the heater
2. Keep a damp but not soaking wet iron sponge…using a sponge that is too wet will reduce the temperature of the tip too quickly and cause damage to the tip
3. Avoid disconnecting the iron from the base unit while the power is still turned on…this could cause a short that will damage either the iron or the base unit
4. Keep a nice coat of solder on the working part of the soldering tip…this prevents oxidation which can shorten the life of the tip
5. This is pretty obvious and not always avoidable but do not drop the iron while it’s heated…dropping the iron can cause a bunch of problems from mechanical damage to thermal damage
6. Also common sense and related to number five…do not throw the soldering iron into the stand
7. A soldering iron does not make a good pry tool…using the iron as a crowbar can damage the tip to the point it is useless
8. Using a serrated or sharp object to remove a tip could chip the soldering tip
9. Do not plug a soldering iron that is broken into a base that is working…doing so can cause damage to the base
10. If a station is used on a daily basis, keep the temperature at the lowest setting while it is sitting at idle for extended periods of time…this prevent thermal cycling
by admin on April 16, 2009
We’ve written about tips for your soldering tips before but Cooper Tools (more specifically, Weller) recently came out with a new list of tips to get the most out of your soldering tips…and some of the tips are ones we have not addressed in the past.
Soldering tips are a consumable item meaning that they are designed to be used and worn out so it’s important to get the most soldering time out of one tip. Here’s what Weller recommends for making soldering tips last longer.
- This may seem obvious but it is important to use the correct tips to get the most out of your soldering iron
- Invest in “intelligent” tools i.e. safety rests and stations. These new tools use technology to include a setback function to lower the temp. of the tip when it’s not in use. The same is true for the safety stands that reduce the temperature of the tip when the iron is placed in the stand
- Use a heating plate to reheat a board to reduce the risk of overheating
- This tip is one of the most common but it is important… use the lowest possible temperature to get the job done
- When choosing a tip, select one with the largest dimension and shortest length that will work for the task
- Make sure the tip is well “wetted” (Wondering what wetting a soldering tip means? Here’s a good
basic soldering guide)
Cleaning is also important when it comes to the life of a soldering tip, keep this tip in mind:
Lead-free soldering = dry cleaning
Leaded soldering = wet cleaning
by admin on October 6, 2008
Not too long ago we added American Beauty soldering products, but American Beauty products aren’t just used for typical soldering but rather resistance soldering. We figured there might be some confusion about what resistance soldering is and the benefits of resistance soldering so we’ve spelled it out for you.
Resistance soldering is a type of soldering that uses special equipment to allow the user to solder faster while creating reliable joints and reducing the chances of thermal damage. The heat used in resistance soldering is both instant and localized.
Here’s how it all works…
A standard 110-120 (or 220-240) AC line voltage passes through a step-down transformer which is then converted into a low-voltage, high-amperage, AC output current. The intense heat is generated when the current passes through a resistive material. The amount of heat produced can be controlled by varying the output current as well as the type of resistive material.
Three things must be present for resistance soldering:
1. A resistive material to generate heat
2. Step-down transformer that can generate an appropriate current
3. Capability of completing an electrical circuit
So you’re probably asking what resistance soldering offers that conventional soldering can not…
- Resistance soldering equipment heats up fast and cools down fast which prevents injury to the user and minimizes thermal damage to the application
- Consumes less energy…the current is only used during actual soldering and there is no idle time
- Consistently solid solder joints…improved soldering also means reliable joints and less time and money spent on rework and repairs.
For more about the details of resistance soldering visit the American Beauty website or their informational resistance soldering website.
by admin on September 8, 2008
Everyone and everything seems to be going green these days; from packaging and clothes to houses and communities, the future of the environment seems to be on everyone’s mind.
Weller, known world-wide for their soldering products, is no different. They have recently announced their tip recycling program. I think this program is a great idea and it’s pretty easy. Just save the tips you are already throwing out to receive a voucher toward the purchase of new Weller soldering and desoldering tips.
Wondering how it works?
- Obtain a tip recycling box from Weller or from All-Spec Industries
- Collect two pounds of soldering tips and desoldering tiplets from any manufacturer
- Send the box with all 2 pounds of soldering tips to:
Cooper Tools
1000 Lufkin Road
Apex, NC 27539
- Cooper Tools will recycle the tips and send you a numbered and dated voucher in the amount of $75
- Use the one-time use voucher to purchase new Weller soldering tips at All-Spec Industries
The goal of this program is to protect the environment and conserve natural resources by recycling the iron and copper used to make the tips. Yes, the soldering tips collected by this recycling program are just a drop in the bucket but every little bit helps.
Of course recycling soldering tips isn’t the only way the electronics and manufacturing industry is going green. Switching to lead-free solder is another relatively easy way to protect the environment. Be sure to check out our extensive selection of lead-free solder and green workstation equipment.
Have questions about the tip recycling program? E-mail us
