Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design SMT Electronics Assembly Manufacturing Forum

Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design Forum

SMT electronics assembly manufacturing forum.


solder iron tips

Sly

#28230

solder iron tips | 25 April, 2004

I am looking for how to choose right solder iron tip for different application for example THT soldering, smt soldering. What kind of iron tips should i use? Where can i find guide with diagrams about it in internet?

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RDR

#28236

solder iron tips | 26 April, 2004

Contact Metcal.

Russ

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Steven

#28247

solder iron tips | 26 April, 2004

If you have deep pockets and wish to spend alot of money over the next few years, then yes, call Metcal. Whatever solder iron you plan to use, it is my suggestion that you take a look at the board that you are going to solder. How big are the pads? How tight is the spacing between components? How thick or how many heat sinks are on the board? Take a look at several manufacturers web sites. Metcal, Hakko, Weller (cooper tools), Ersa. You will see that they have fine pointed, screwdriver, conical, bent etc. And of course all different lengths, widths etc. It really comes down to the board you plan on soldering.

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Kirk

#28262

solder iron tips | 27 April, 2004

thank you for suggestion but i need some more basic information i mean when should i use short tip or long tip, short is better to heat transfer but what about long one, there are curved solder tips what application?

Kirk

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CC to myself

#28265

solder iron tips | 27 April, 2004

No offence, but have you ever used a soldering iron? The usage dictates the shape you need. small pads require small tips, big pads require big tips. Then you have chisel tips, cone tips, etc... that is to your preference or what you feel more comfortable with. large solder joints need more power, not more heat. If you use a ten watt at 700F for a SMT pad, you may need a 20 watt for a T/H joint but the temp is still 700F.

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RDR

#28272

solder iron tips | 27 April, 2004

Steve, I didn't say "buy metcal" I said to contact them. I agree they are expensive to operate. But they do have a pretty good website and great knowledge on how to select the right tip. The thread poster appears that he needs to start at the beginning and learn what it takes to solder you brought up great points by the way, you can only determine which tips by what you are going to do.

Sly, unless you only solder one component onto one board you are going to need several different tips.

Russ

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Jack

#28292

solder iron tips | 28 April, 2004

You can find the procedures for different package types in the IPC-7711 & 7721 manuals. These can be purchased from the IPC.[http://www.ipc.org/] You can also try Circuit Technology: http://www.circuittechctr.com/guides/guides.shtml These manuals and guides will have a procedure for each type of component and show the type of tip to use. They are not necessarily representative of all soldering iron manufacturers, but should give you a good starting point.

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