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Soldering iron – from beginner's model to professional equipment
Soldering irons are almost indispensable for working in the electronic area. Do-it-yourself and professionals can perform electronic small jobs optimally with soldering irons.
Soldering irons are used by professionals, but also by hobbyists in the hobby field, in order to carry out electronic work.
Broken solder joints can thus be repaired as quickly as broken lines.
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What is a soldering iron?
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What types of soldering irons are available?
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What do you need to pay attention to when you buy?
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Soldering iron in direct comparison
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Conclusion: This is how you buy the best soldering iron
What is a soldering iron?
With a soldering iron, experienced hobbyists can repair broken solder joints, create new solder joints or repair broken wires in electronic devices. Soldering irons are available in different price categories and designs. However, all devices use heat to melt the tin of the solder wire. In addition to the jewelry production with soldering irons, these are mainly used to connect two electronic components with a soft solder.
In the professional range, apart from soft solder processes, there is also brazing. This is used, for example, when connecting heating pipes. Temperatures of over 450 degrees Celsius are used, which are only achieved by special soldering irons. Some soldering irons are also suitable for welding or cutting plastic.
What types of soldering irons are available?
Soldering irons are available in different versions and price categories. The soldering irons are mainly divided into five categories:
- Soldering pins
- Fine soldering iron
- Electronic universal soldering iron
- Temperature-controlled soldering iron
- Large soldering irons
Simple soldering irons are inexpensive, but do not offer many functions. In addition to the analogueue soldering stations, there are the digital soldering stations, where the most commonly used temperature values can be stored on pre-selection buttons. Simple soldering irons are often sufficient for beginners. Soldering pins are also suitable for filigree work. The problem with inexpensive soldering irons is often the lack of ESD safety and temperature control.
Gas soldering irons work with gas to build up the temperature. The advantage is the mobile and network-independant use. Lighter gas is normally used here.
With soldering guns, current flows through the soldering tip. Pistols offer a quick heating. Due to their design, soldering guns are not suitable for fine motor work.
Battery soldering irons use conventional batteries for heating. However, the performance here is very low. The application possibilities of such soldering irons are therefore very limited.
Purchase criteria for soldering irons – what do you need to pay attention to when you buy them?
When buying a soldering iron, it is important to know what it is to be used for. One distinguishes above all the applications of entry-level soldering irons, soldering irons for experienced do-it-yourselfers and soldering irons for professional use.
Soldering iron for beginners
- Simple soldering iron is often enough.
- LED lighting for the work area makes sense in some cases.
- Please note the operating time, entry-level soldering iron is not suitable for continuous operation.
- Observe heating power.
- Make sure it is easy to use.
- Battery soldering irons are practical and independant of the power supply, but offer little power.
- Gas soldering irons are also suitable for mobile use.
Soldering iron for experienced DIY enthusiasts
- For sensitive, electronic parts higher-quality devices are necessary
- Soldering stations are expensive, offer good temperature control and therefore stable temperature, an earthing possibility and are versatile applicable.
- Inexpensive soldering irons usually do not have temperature control and therefore their temperature varies considerably.
- LED illumination of the work area, especially when working with circuit boards. Very useful for experienced DIY enthusiasts.
- Solder tips should be changeable.
- The soldering tip should be optimally shaped for the desired purpose and not too thin.
- If plastic is also to be welded or cut, gas soldering irons are often used.
- Soldering guns are not suitable for filigree work and continuous operation, but heat up quickly.
- Battery soldering irons offer too little power for larger soldering joints.
- Soldering stations are not only suitable for professionals, but also for DIY enthusiasts who have demanding soldering jobs.
Professional soldering irons
- Observe the heating time.
- Pay attention to accessories.
- Gas soldering irons are also suitable for brazing.
- Soldering guns are useful when very fast heating is required.
- Solder guns are not suitable for filigree work due to their shape.
- Soldering stations have precise temperature control.
Soldering iron in direct comparison
When buying soldering iron, pay attention to the different versions. These offer different prerequisites and are suitable for different areas.
| Soldering iron | Application area | Advantages: | Disadvantages: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple soldering iron | Introduction to soldering | Cheap | No or inaccurate temperature control |
| Gas Soldering Irons | For all applications | Mobile and network-independant use | No temperature control |
| Soldering gun | For applications with high heat | High temperatures, quickly ready to use | Not suitable for filigree work and not for continuous operation |
| Battery soldering iron | For getting started and working easily | Mobile use, easy to transport | Low power |
| Soldering station | For electronic and flexible work | Good temperature control and therefore stable temperature. Earthing possibility, can be used in many ways | Expensive |
Conclusion: This is how you buy the best soldering iron
If you have high demands, you should use a soldering station. This offers all the advantages that one needs for professional soldering. Hobby hobbyists can also cope with entry-level devices. But: These are not suitable for soldering optimally on circuit boards. If you need a mobile soldering iron, you should choose a gas soldering iron.