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I 100% agree. They say "a good craftsman doesn't blame his tools" but when you start out you need good tools. A non-temperature-controlled soldering iron is a

by CarVac 4y ago

I 100% agree. They say "a good craftsman doesn't blame his tools" but when you start out you need good tools. A non-temperature-controlled soldering iron is a huge impediment to learning because the temperature varies with usage and so its behavior is hard to predict for a new solderer. Even between temperature-controlled ones there can be a large difference in ability to conduct heat into a part: my Pinecil takes far longer than my Weller (I recommend the WE1010) to heat a joint to the point where solder will melt. (the Pinecil is still nice to have as a mobile soldering setup) More heating duration results in more part damage: overheated ICs and traces popping off the PCB.

TylerE 4y ago
Don't blame tools, but it's okay to blame tool shaped objects.
- snapetom 4y ago
  Kinda of like the old Chris Berman commercial, "There's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people asking questions."
bluefirebrand 4y ago
> They say "a good craftsman doesn't blame his tools" but when you start out you need good tools. Yeah, it's important to realize that saying applied to good craftsmen, not novice craftsmen.
- CarVac 4y ago
  And intentionally choosing not to blame your tools doesn't transform you into a good craftsman, either.
  - convolvatron 4y ago
    I'm a pretty good craftsman, and if the angle grinder I'm working needs to be held 'just so' to keep it running, weighs twice what my other ones do, and reeks of ozone - I have absolutely no problem saying 'screw this thing' and throwing in the trash. never understood that aphorism
    - bluefirebrand 4y ago
      I think people take it to mean "A good craftsman should be able to make excellent work even with poor tools" But maybe it means "a good craftsman should have the experience to know not to work with poor tools, and if they do work with poor tools and the outcome is bad, it's their own fault for not finding better tools, not the tools fault for being poor" As in, don't blame your tools, you're the one who chose them. And you're always free to choose better tools.

by CarVac 4y ago

TylerE 4y ago

Don't blame tools, but it's okay to blame tool shaped objects.

snapetom 4y ago
Kinda of like the old Chris Berman commercial, "There's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people asking questions."

bluefirebrand 4y ago

> They say "a good craftsman doesn't blame his tools" but when you start out you need good tools. Yeah, it's important to realize that saying applied to good craftsmen, not novice craftsmen.

CarVac 4y ago
And intentionally choosing not to blame your tools doesn't transform you into a good craftsman, either.
- convolvatron 4y ago
  I'm a pretty good craftsman, and if the angle grinder I'm working needs to be held 'just so' to keep it running, weighs twice what my other ones do, and reeks of ozone - I have absolutely no problem saying 'screw this thing' and throwing in the trash. never understood that aphorism
  - bluefirebrand 4y ago
    I think people take it to mean "A good craftsman should be able to make excellent work even with poor tools" But maybe it means "a good craftsman should have the experience to know not to work with poor tools, and if they do work with poor tools and the outcome is bad, it's their own fault for not finding better tools, not the tools fault for being poor" As in, don't blame your tools, you're the one who chose them. And you're always free to choose better tools.