7 ms·

Soldering is one of those things where the tools you use have a direct impact on the quality and enjoyment of the work. Shitty $20 soldering irons from Home Dep

Soldering is one of those things where the tools you use have a direct impact on the quality and enjoyment of the work. Shitty $20 soldering irons from Home Depot not only produce awful results but they are incredibly frustrating. I’m pretty sure most people who think they suck at soldering and hate it only feel that way because their tool sucks. A good quality soldering iron and high quality, thin solder make a huge, huge difference in output. If your experience with soldering is one of those cheap flimsy $30 dollar things from Amazon paired with fat, chunky solder… yeah you will hate soldering and you’ll never get even remotely good results. You don’t need to spend $500 dollar or anything but something like what is in this post and a $40 roll of thin gauge solder (which will last the rest of your life) will make soldering actually fun and enjoyable. …I should also mention a solid, heavy parts holder factors into this as well.

luqtas 2y ago
dunno. my first ever soldering project was a handwired keyboard. i was popcorning when i finished. it was my first time using a mechanical switch keyboard too. not bad... 2° project, right after finishing the keyboard was soldering a PMW3360 sensor to someone's board from Github. it was a freaking blast on my 40W, 40 BRL (~ 8 USD) solder i still have it & i'm selling handwired keyboards at a very cheap price (made with it), trying to set a non-profit that sells fair priced handwired keyboards with Vial & aims to teach the basics of electronics for teens... i can't see myself supplying anything more expensive than cheap solders, nor i can see what joy i would get from an expensive solder tool my wiring for reference -> https://happort.org/keyboard_example.png https://happort.org/keyboard_example.png
- timfsu 2y ago
  That's wonderful - I used to solder with a cheap iron until university. A nice iron gets a lot hotter, and it makes everything easier and faster. It may not matter for keyboards, but on a small PCB where everything is a few mm part, the precision of a good tip matters too.
- arcanemachiner 2y ago
  Popcorning: "the happy little jump that guinea pigs give when they are full of joy" In case anyone else was wondering.
  - schmidtleonard 2y ago
    Oh good. In the context of soldering "popcorning" typically means explosive steam formation that puffs up the package a part, often an expensive part because bigger / more complicated packaging is a risk factor. I was having trouble making that fit with the rest of the post.
    - aylons 2y ago
      I went through the same thing, it was a really unfortunate choice of words in the context.
kwiens 2y ago
Agree. It's kind of like a chef's knife: a better tool makes you a better chef. A sharp knife is also quite a bit safer than a dull knife. By heating to operating temperature in 5 seconds and rapidly pouring heat into the material, you don't have to hold the hot iron as long. As soon as you're done, pop on the safety cap and instantly shield the hot metal. Soldering isn't remotely mainstream, and part of that is the quality of tools. We set out to streamline the entire process to make soldering as accessible as possible.
- dpedu 2y ago
  I am completely confused by your example. Buying a better knife doesn't make you a better chef. Buying a faster car doesn't make you a better driver. Buying a more powerful laptop doesn't make you a better developer.
  - lelandfe 2y ago
    My dull chef's knife got caught when I chopping an onion and nearly lopped my fingertip off. I was not a very good chef that night.
    - dpedu 2y ago
      I'm not sure what that has to do with better vs worse tools. Expensive knives get dull too. Good chefs, on the other hand, keep their equipment in working order regardless of its value.
      - lelandfe 2y ago
        A dull knife is a worse tool. You’re getting awfully literal, though.
    - xxs 2y ago
      So you are saying tool maintenance (well any maintenance) is important?
  - jpalawaga 2y ago
talldayo 2y ago
You're correct that some soldering irons (especially uber-cheap ones) are shit, but Pinecil proves cheap can also be good. Past a certain point, soldering becomes a hobby about how dangerous you're willing to get to make things easier on yourself. You can swap out non-toxic solder for lead trace if you want a cleaner board; then there are high-wattage irons, board reflow/fluxing, and even all sorts of scale-specific hacks. When you zoom out, I think home soldering is about as effective as it can reasonably get without fumigating your house.
- 0x1ch 2y ago
  You seen knowledgeable. I've used leaded solder in my bedroom / apartments since community college, usually with a fan in the room or a window open. What damage could have or has happened?
  - kurthr 2y ago
    I'm no doctor, but if you've only done a few hours of this and you're 20+ it's probably no big deal. However, you are breathing lead vapor and it's not good for you (if you're at 100s of hours and 12yo that's really not good). If it gets on things you eat, it's also bad. The effects are permanent. We had leaded (Ethyl) gasoline in cars which was banned 25 years ago and that had noticeable statistical effects on IQ an emotional regulation (violence) for more than a generation.
    - mhb 2y ago
      You're not breathing lead vapor. You're breathing flux vapor, which is probably not optimal either. https://www.quora.com/Can-I-get-lead-poisoning-from-inhaling-solder-fumes https://www.quora.com/Can-I-get-lead-poisoning-from-inhaling...
      - getcrunk 2y ago
        Yes but lead particulate is going every where and if you touch lips, You’re ingesting it. The primary means of exposure in a lab setting is through ingestion of particulate matter by getting it on your food or clothes -> mouth
FuriouslyAdrift 2y ago
Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html
- bangaladore 2y ago
  I can guarantee it is leagues better. Frankly, I won't solder anymore unless it is with a direct-heat iron. They heat up instantly, cool down quickly, provide far better thermal transfer, and are much more comfortable to hold. Don't brush off what I'm saying before you try a direct-heat iron (Hakko sells them, Pace does, and JBC is the gold standard). They are usually expensive from the big names, but even a Pinecil direct-heat iron for $30$ would be many times better than non-direct-heat irons.
  - globular-toast 2y ago
    Is the OP one a direct heat iron?
    - bangaladore 2y ago
      Yes. The easiest way to tell is the soldering "tip" is much more than a tip. It's a cartridge. [1] [1] https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/fixhub_tip/ https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be...
  - epiccoleman 2y ago
    Oh man, I don't need to hear this. When I got my FX-888 I was blown away by the difference between it and the cheapo Radio Shack style one I had muddled through with as a teen. And now, for only $200 or so, I can get something that's another step change? I don't even know when I last soldered and that's still tempting at a deep-seated nerd level.
    - talldayo 2y ago
      I can't recommend a Pinecil enough. It's cheap as chips and basically has all the best features of other irons I've used. No complaints, I've half a mind to stockpile them and hand them out as gifts to nerd-inclined friends.
the__alchemist 2y ago
The tips make a huge difference too!
_pigpen__ 2y ago
>a $40 roll of thin gauge solder (which will last the rest of your life) I dunno, I'm 56 and I'm about to finish the roll I bought as a teenager. (Albeit bought in pre-RoHS times.)
- lostlogin 2y ago
  Hopefully your affairs are in order…
  - m463 2y ago
    should things be in flux to be in order?
- bigiain 2y ago
  > Albeit bought in pre-RoHS times. Yeah. Old high lead content solder is way nicer to solder with than modern stuff.
  - SOLAR_FIELDS 2y ago
    Was there an actual safe way to deal with this stuff besides maybe wearing a gas mask while you were working with it?
    - nemosaltat 2y ago
      we had overhead vacuum suction on all the terminals in the training environment. On the sub, not so much, but if you’re soldering^ underway, it’s because shit has hit the fan so badly that a bit of lead inhalation is the least of your worries. edit: if you’re ^soldering *Nuke* stuff underway, it’s because things have hit the fan, and that’s the whole point of ETMS. Other rates also solder underway and might also use (did use) lead, and perhaps none of our inhalation was warranted.
    - Leonelf 2y ago
      Why? Lead solder doesn't evaporate. The risk was always in recycling and maybe eating without having washed your hands. But you don't breathe in the solder, only the flux (which is even more toxic in lead-free solder applications).
russdill 2y ago
Flux, the secret is more flux.
- baby_souffle 2y ago
  > Flux, the secret is more flux. And patience. As tempting as it may be, don't think "if I double the temp, I won't be waiting for this big joint to start pulling in solder". good flux, clean/sharp tip and proper patience can take you a very long way! (a steady hand and good rubbing alcohol will take you the rest of the way)
- XorNot 2y ago
  I haven't found flux to make much a difference at all to the problems I have with soldering. It turns liquid, and nothing happens still - and I've gone through a bunch of fluxes at all brand levels.
- bigiain 2y ago
  More flux, and a stash of old lead/tin solder...
ransom1538 2y ago
I don't let my daughter date anyone that can solder (or carnival workers or clowns).
- Pr0ject217 2y ago
  lol
- aidenn0 2y ago
  If my daughter dated someone who could solder, I think she would roll her eyes and find someone else to date the first time we geeked out over hardware.
userbinator 2y ago
You can get good temperature-controlled 936-style soldering stations for less than $30. Spend the rest of your budget on solder, flux, and an assortment of tips.
SOLAR_FIELDS 2y ago
Your last part undersells how important a parts holder is. Very often soldering is a 3 handed job. Quite frequently it is a 4 handed job. Somewhat often it is even a 5 handed job. You will save yourself a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth and end up with much better results if you have a way to line everything up beforehand and hold it steady. Let’s couch it in real terms. You can try to attempt something poorly 20x because you can’t line things up and your hand isn’t steady and do a poor job with worse aesthetics and in 20x the time, risking damaging your part, or you can get it right the first time with ease and have it look great because everything was lined up and there was no real way that shaky hands might ruin it. I speak from personal experience here. Spend a little bit and save time, money, and sanity and get a better result.
RankingMember 2y ago
> …I should also mention a solid, heavy parts holder factors into this as well. I'd just like to note for anyone googling for one after reading this- the Harbor Freight "helping hands" holder and its ilk are the exact opposite of what you want, unless your goal is to have your target falling over endlessly.
tim333 2y ago
Counterpoint - I got a £8 ($10?) chinese iron including bits and bobs and solder and it works fine. (similar to https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387009386986?_skw=soldering+iron&itmmeta=01J7NXJ5ZX514N9QK5HE5PK40P&hash=item5a1b8e99ea:g:pNUAAOSw6p5m0BKG&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKm%2Fqd%2BKTS6z1UEIq6P7qFoNxScAc5zv8%2Bjy76PCMbxTyStyU6tQlsMSohKoZoo%2FEKw%2Bg4BGGhRVyGAkbFHNpCDGIhxn9yYCyuer%2F9RqFL9gNq8AjVBUv4UHuW5%2BL0DZaWDnsbcfj1rUox8Bn1N2eK7Khza3BXcyXvlLFxGPkUeQON9iU3wJ7Jm2daA88aSxt5DP%2FNYDAF%2FcV4336B8txcxL8YufnnYcLr%2FjiwpmF2n7Saql27h8ENTSnP4iyfUUqX8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4jgyL29ZA https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387009386986?_skw=soldering+iron&... ) I guess it depends how much you are going to use it.

luqtas 2y ago

dunno. my first ever soldering project was a handwired keyboard. i was popcorning when i finished. it was my first time using a mechanical switch keyboard too. not bad... 2° project, right after finishing the keyboard was soldering a PMW3360 sensor to someone's board from Github. it was a freaking blast on my 40W, 40 BRL (~ 8 USD) solder i still have it & i'm selling handwired keyboards at a very cheap price (made with it), trying to set a non-profit that sells fair priced handwired keyboards with Vial & aims to teach the basics of electronics for teens... i can't see myself supplying anything more expensive than cheap solders, nor i can see what joy i would get from an expensive solder tool my wiring for reference -> https://happort.org/keyboard_example.png https://happort.org/keyboard_example.png

timfsu 2y ago
That's wonderful - I used to solder with a cheap iron until university. A nice iron gets a lot hotter, and it makes everything easier and faster. It may not matter for keyboards, but on a small PCB where everything is a few mm part, the precision of a good tip matters too.
arcanemachiner 2y ago
Popcorning: "the happy little jump that guinea pigs give when they are full of joy" In case anyone else was wondering.
- schmidtleonard 2y ago
  Oh good. In the context of soldering "popcorning" typically means explosive steam formation that puffs up the package a part, often an expensive part because bigger / more complicated packaging is a risk factor. I was having trouble making that fit with the rest of the post.
  - aylons 2y ago
    I went through the same thing, it was a really unfortunate choice of words in the context.

kwiens 2y ago

Agree. It's kind of like a chef's knife: a better tool makes you a better chef. A sharp knife is also quite a bit safer than a dull knife. By heating to operating temperature in 5 seconds and rapidly pouring heat into the material, you don't have to hold the hot iron as long. As soon as you're done, pop on the safety cap and instantly shield the hot metal. Soldering isn't remotely mainstream, and part of that is the quality of tools. We set out to streamline the entire process to make soldering as accessible as possible.

dpedu 2y ago
I am completely confused by your example. Buying a better knife doesn't make you a better chef. Buying a faster car doesn't make you a better driver. Buying a more powerful laptop doesn't make you a better developer.
- lelandfe 2y ago
  My dull chef's knife got caught when I chopping an onion and nearly lopped my fingertip off. I was not a very good chef that night.
  - dpedu 2y ago
    I'm not sure what that has to do with better vs worse tools. Expensive knives get dull too. Good chefs, on the other hand, keep their equipment in working order regardless of its value.
    - lelandfe 2y ago
      A dull knife is a worse tool. You’re getting awfully literal, though.
  - xxs 2y ago
    So you are saying tool maintenance (well any maintenance) is important?
- jpalawaga 2y ago

talldayo 2y ago

You're correct that some soldering irons (especially uber-cheap ones) are shit, but Pinecil proves cheap can also be good. Past a certain point, soldering becomes a hobby about how dangerous you're willing to get to make things easier on yourself. You can swap out non-toxic solder for lead trace if you want a cleaner board; then there are high-wattage irons, board reflow/fluxing, and even all sorts of scale-specific hacks. When you zoom out, I think home soldering is about as effective as it can reasonably get without fumigating your house.

0x1ch 2y ago
You seen knowledgeable. I've used leaded solder in my bedroom / apartments since community college, usually with a fan in the room or a window open. What damage could have or has happened?
- kurthr 2y ago
  I'm no doctor, but if you've only done a few hours of this and you're 20+ it's probably no big deal. However, you are breathing lead vapor and it's not good for you (if you're at 100s of hours and 12yo that's really not good). If it gets on things you eat, it's also bad. The effects are permanent. We had leaded (Ethyl) gasoline in cars which was banned 25 years ago and that had noticeable statistical effects on IQ an emotional regulation (violence) for more than a generation.
  - mhb 2y ago
    You're not breathing lead vapor. You're breathing flux vapor, which is probably not optimal either. https://www.quora.com/Can-I-get-lead-poisoning-from-inhaling-solder-fumes https://www.quora.com/Can-I-get-lead-poisoning-from-inhaling...
    - getcrunk 2y ago
      Yes but lead particulate is going every where and if you touch lips, You’re ingesting it. The primary means of exposure in a lab setting is through ingestion of particulate matter by getting it on your food or clothes -> mouth

FuriouslyAdrift 2y ago

Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html

bangaladore 2y ago
I can guarantee it is leagues better. Frankly, I won't solder anymore unless it is with a direct-heat iron. They heat up instantly, cool down quickly, provide far better thermal transfer, and are much more comfortable to hold. Don't brush off what I'm saying before you try a direct-heat iron (Hakko sells them, Pace does, and JBC is the gold standard). They are usually expensive from the big names, but even a Pinecil direct-heat iron for $30$ would be many times better than non-direct-heat irons.
- globular-toast 2y ago
  Is the OP one a direct heat iron?
  - bangaladore 2y ago
    Yes. The easiest way to tell is the soldering "tip" is much more than a tip. It's a cartridge. [1] [1] https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/fixhub_tip/ https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be...
- epiccoleman 2y ago
  Oh man, I don't need to hear this. When I got my FX-888 I was blown away by the difference between it and the cheapo Radio Shack style one I had muddled through with as a teen. And now, for only $200 or so, I can get something that's another step change? I don't even know when I last soldered and that's still tempting at a deep-seated nerd level.
  - talldayo 2y ago
    I can't recommend a Pinecil enough. It's cheap as chips and basically has all the best features of other irons I've used. No complaints, I've half a mind to stockpile them and hand them out as gifts to nerd-inclined friends.

the__alchemist 2y ago

The tips make a huge difference too!

_pigpen__ 2y ago

>a $40 roll of thin gauge solder (which will last the rest of your life) I dunno, I'm 56 and I'm about to finish the roll I bought as a teenager. (Albeit bought in pre-RoHS times.)

lostlogin 2y ago
Hopefully your affairs are in order…
- m463 2y ago
  should things be in flux to be in order?
bigiain 2y ago
> Albeit bought in pre-RoHS times. Yeah. Old high lead content solder is way nicer to solder with than modern stuff.
- SOLAR_FIELDS 2y ago
  Was there an actual safe way to deal with this stuff besides maybe wearing a gas mask while you were working with it?
  - nemosaltat 2y ago
    we had overhead vacuum suction on all the terminals in the training environment. On the sub, not so much, but if you’re soldering^ underway, it’s because shit has hit the fan so badly that a bit of lead inhalation is the least of your worries. edit: if you’re ^soldering *Nuke* stuff underway, it’s because things have hit the fan, and that’s the whole point of ETMS. Other rates also solder underway and might also use (did use) lead, and perhaps none of our inhalation was warranted.
  - Leonelf 2y ago
    Why? Lead solder doesn't evaporate. The risk was always in recycling and maybe eating without having washed your hands. But you don't breathe in the solder, only the flux (which is even more toxic in lead-free solder applications).

russdill 2y ago

Flux, the secret is more flux.

baby_souffle 2y ago
> Flux, the secret is more flux. And patience. As tempting as it may be, don't think "if I double the temp, I won't be waiting for this big joint to start pulling in solder". good flux, clean/sharp tip and proper patience can take you a very long way! (a steady hand and good rubbing alcohol will take you the rest of the way)
XorNot 2y ago
I haven't found flux to make much a difference at all to the problems I have with soldering. It turns liquid, and nothing happens still - and I've gone through a bunch of fluxes at all brand levels.
bigiain 2y ago
More flux, and a stash of old lead/tin solder...

ransom1538 2y ago

I don't let my daughter date anyone that can solder (or carnival workers or clowns).

Pr0ject217 2y ago
lol
aidenn0 2y ago
If my daughter dated someone who could solder, I think she would roll her eyes and find someone else to date the first time we geeked out over hardware.

userbinator 2y ago

You can get good temperature-controlled 936-style soldering stations for less than $30. Spend the rest of your budget on solder, flux, and an assortment of tips.

SOLAR_FIELDS 2y ago

Your last part undersells how important a parts holder is. Very often soldering is a 3 handed job. Quite frequently it is a 4 handed job. Somewhat often it is even a 5 handed job. You will save yourself a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth and end up with much better results if you have a way to line everything up beforehand and hold it steady. Let’s couch it in real terms. You can try to attempt something poorly 20x because you can’t line things up and your hand isn’t steady and do a poor job with worse aesthetics and in 20x the time, risking damaging your part, or you can get it right the first time with ease and have it look great because everything was lined up and there was no real way that shaky hands might ruin it. I speak from personal experience here. Spend a little bit and save time, money, and sanity and get a better result.

RankingMember 2y ago

> …I should also mention a solid, heavy parts holder factors into this as well. I'd just like to note for anyone googling for one after reading this- the Harbor Freight "helping hands" holder and its ilk are the exact opposite of what you want, unless your goal is to have your target falling over endlessly.

tim333 2y ago

Counterpoint - I got a £8 ($10?) chinese iron including bits and bobs and solder and it works fine. (similar to https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387009386986?_skw=soldering+iron&itmmeta=01J7NXJ5ZX514N9QK5HE5PK40P&hash=item5a1b8e99ea:g:pNUAAOSw6p5m0BKG&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKm%2Fqd%2BKTS6z1UEIq6P7qFoNxScAc5zv8%2Bjy76PCMbxTyStyU6tQlsMSohKoZoo%2FEKw%2Bg4BGGhRVyGAkbFHNpCDGIhxn9yYCyuer%2F9RqFL9gNq8AjVBUv4UHuW5%2BL0DZaWDnsbcfj1rUox8Bn1N2eK7Khza3BXcyXvlLFxGPkUeQON9iU3wJ7Jm2daA88aSxt5DP%2FNYDAF%2FcV4336B8txcxL8YufnnYcLr%2FjiwpmF2n7Saql27h8ENTSnP4iyfUUqX8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4jgyL29ZA https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387009386986?_skw=soldering+iron&... ) I guess it depends how much you are going to use it.