Re: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build
Chris - WHAT IS SOLDER? Solder is a metal alloy consisting of distinct percentages of two or more metals. In electrical work, the alloy is usually tin (Sn) and lead (Pb). However, Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn), and Antimony (Sb) are used for special soldering alloys. Solder that uses lead has a lower melting point than pure lead. However, some solders contain no lead. a.. Each alloy composition has unique characteristics, eg., melting point, hardness, and solid-to-liquid transition properties, and may or may not be eutectic. a.. A eutectic alloy is a composition of one or more metals that has one sharp melting point and no intermediate plastic stage. Non-eutectic compositions have a semi-liquid temperature range where the metal can be worked due to its plastic nature. For example lead has a melting point of 621 OF (327 OC) and tin melts at 450 OF (232 OC). Alloying 63% tin with 37% lead forms a EUTECTIC that melts at 361 OF (183 OC). NOTE: that this particular alloy's melting point is lower than either of the parent metals. Please do not make the common mistake with your new adjustable temperature soldering station. (Weller WES51, Hakko 936-12, Solomon series from Taiwan) Temperature is ONE of THREE aspects for good soldering. SIZE, PROFILE and TEMPERATURE Soldering Iron Tip - The tip should be small enough so that the joint being soldered can be easily seen, but large enough to quickly transfer the heat required to raise the joint temperature to the solder melting point. I prefer the prefer a chisel (screwdriver) tip profile between 1/16 and 1/8 (ETA, ETB, ETC) across the spade for general purpose soldering. Smaller tips are available and required for small pads and surface mount components. The larger tip provides more heat for large connectors, lugs and large size wire as well as for desoldering using desoldering braid or solder pump. a.. 0.020 dia. (25 gauge/.05 cm) rosin core or smaller - Very small. Excellent for soldering very small printed circuit (PCB) board pads and hand soldering surface mount components. Too small for a general purpose bench solder. It can take excessive heating time to apply sufficient solder to larger joints. I keep both a .020 and .031 1 lb roll at the workbench.. http://engr.nmsu.edu/~etti/fall97/electronics/solder.html The WES51 comes standard with the ETA - 1/16 screwdriver tip. I highly suggest all owners also have the ETB - 3/32 screwdriver profile tip. The ETB works very well with switches, connectors and large pads on PC boards. When I use this tip, I can often reduce my temperature to from 700 to 650 degrees AVOID going above 750 degrees with very small tips -- significantly reduces tip life and requires frequent tip cleaning. w9gb - Original Message - From: Koaps [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:47 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build Hi Guys, I'm getting ready to start in on my KX1 build but one thing I'm a bit stuck on is the setting for my new Weller WES51 solder station. Can anyone using one of these things suggest how I get the temp right? I read the manual that came with it, but it really didn't make much sense to me, and I thought it would come with something that says set the dial here for this temp. I did get a roll of Kester 44 solder, .020, that was suggested in the solder guide, I'm just not sure what setting to use on the dial. Thanks for the help, -Chris Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build
Chris, I find a setting of 700 degrees F about right for me. An even better indication is to see how long it takes for solder to flow. If you can achieve a good solder connection in 2 to 3 seconds, that is about the right temperature. If it takes longer for the solder to flow out to a nicely tapered edge where the solder edge is almost invisible on both the solder pad and the component lead, then your temperature is too low - if the solder flows in 1 second or less, then the iron is too hot. Take a look at the soldering tutorial on the Elecraft website Builder's Resource page to see what a good solder connection looks like. 73, Don W3FPR Koaps wrote: Hi Guys, I'm getting ready to start in on my KX1 build but one thing I'm a bit stuck on is the setting for my new Weller WES51 solder station. Can anyone using one of these things suggest how I get the temp right? I read the manual that came with it, but it really didn't make much sense to me, and I thought it would come with something that says set the dial here for this temp. I did get a roll of Kester 44 solder, .020, that was suggested in the solder guide, I'm just not sure what setting to use on the dial. Thanks for the help, -Chris ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build
I built all my elecraft stuff with the soldering iron set at about 630-660F. Bigger parts needed more heat, but for almost everything small, and the .020 solder, that heat was enough to give a nice solder connection. I had zero solder problems on all my stuff. Brett N2DTS Hi Guys, I'm getting ready to start in on my KX1 build but one thing I'm a bit stuck on is the setting for my new Weller WES51 solder station. Can anyone using one of these things suggest how I get the temp right? I read the manual that came with it, but it really didn't make much sense to me, and I thought it would come with something that says set the dial here for this temp. I did get a roll of Kester 44 solder, .020, that was suggested in the solder guide, I'm just not sure what setting to use on the dial. Thanks for the help, -Chris ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Weller temp setting for KX1 build
Thanks Don and Brett, Just the bit of info I needed. Thanks again for the help, I'm really excited about building my KX1. I spend some extra money to make sure nothing goes wrong with ESD(I got a mat, wrist strip, and Monster surge protector with coax hookups, I figured I could use it to ground me and the mat and have ground fault protection for the soldering station). I also got a nice panavise to help with soldering/desoldering. I hope to start in on the build tomorrow, only thing I lack is a dummy load, but I might be able to borrow that from a friend. Thanks again for the help, -Chris Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/ ___ 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
