David, W4SMT wrote: I did 10 of them last night. The solder blob method works fine. I found the key is to have the soldering iron as hot as possible (wide open on my Weller station) and keep feeding fresh solder to the blob as you move along the lead. It takes about 3 seconds per lead. The enamel bubbles away and sends up a nice plume of smoke that has an affinity for nostrils. Someone mentioned that the fumes are carcinogenic. I hope not, because I got a nose full.
-------------------------------------- I found that my Hakko at 800 to 850F works that way too. Once the enamel bubbles, the lead is tinned in a few seconds. But the temperature MUST be turned up to at least 800F. 700-750 just isn't hot enough. I work from the cut end so the copper wire is exposed to the blob from the start. That helps heat the enamel from the inside. I've used a desoldering iron with success too, but it's just another tool that has to be turned on. It seems to me that what makes the desoldering tool so attractive is that it's hot enough, especially for those who don't have soldering stations with easily adjustable temperatures. My desoldering tool works just like my iron does when I turn the iron up over 800F. I've even grabbed a soldering gun when it's out and used it with the same ease. The "Moral" of the story is that for stripping quickly and cleanly with the solder blob, the underlying need is for lots of heat! I consider any fumes that make me wrinkle my nose or make my eyes tear unhealthy. (Many fumes that are barely noticed aren't healthy either.) I always try to work alongside the parts I'm soldering so the fumes rise up and away from me. Even so, if I get in real close while the heat's on I instinctively hold my breath for a few seconds while I'm close to avoid breathing the stuff. Some builders use a small fan on the work bench to blow the fumes away from themselves. I think that's a very smart idea. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
