The use of a soldering station may also be needed at home (for beginners), for different needs and situations. But choice can become a problem - not everyone knows by what signs, characteristics and nuances to do this. In order to deal with this issue, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical potential of the soldering iron, namely: functions, heating capability, power, etc. In this article we will try to tell you in detail about how to choose a soldering station and which one is better in 2017. year.
Content:
- What does the kit consist of?
- Equipment classification
- Technical features
- Operation of soldering stations
- Control type
- Main selection criteria
- What else is important to know?
- The best manufacturers and models
What does the kit consist of?
When carrying out soldering work, not only a soldering station is needed, but also complete parts: a control, monitoring module and a spring holder. All this will be able to provide the required temperature, protect against overloads.
With the specifics of the operation of the soldering station, the kit may include:
- tweezers (soldering and removing small parts);
- hair dryer for heating (additional heating of the soldering point);
- heat emitter (heating the board when soldering the group);
- vacuum tweezers;
- additional fittings.
Equipment classification
Depending on the specialization of the soldering iron, certain components are included. In order to choose the right soldering station, it must be remembered that the complete set determines the operating profile of the device.
There are four types of soldering irons:
- Hot air (completed with a hairdryer, soldering is carried out with hot air). We recommend choosing this version for repairing car bumpers and other plastic parts.
- Pulse (mounting and removing more modern circuits).
- Induction (small but very powerful apparatus).
- Infrared (easier ability to repair laptops, phones, mini PCs or tablets).
Based on this, we summarize - in order to choose one or another model, you need to know initially what will be soldered with this soldering iron.
Technical features
When choosing, you need to know that according to the type of soldering, two categories can be distinguished:
- lead;
- lead-free.
Lead devices are equipped with a module that regulates the temperature of the soldering iron tip, which makes the work more accurate and of better quality. Mechanisms based on electrics and an induction type of station, for the operation of which it generates a magnetic field. Using such a device, you get a high heat output.
When soldering inaccessible components, contactless soldering (hot air or infrared) is used. Infrared is used for circuits in computers or motherboards. Hot air (point transmission) - for heating inaccessible parts, while not affecting nearby parts. It is better to choose this option for soldering plastic, as well as adjusting household appliances and mobile phones.
Operation of soldering stations
Today there are many types of equipment for the technical part of the soldering device, and this greatly complicates the choice when buying. Because of this, before choosing a suitable model, you need to decide on the technical features and scope of use. Those who like to repair something with their own hands for the house mostly use ordinary soldering irons, but they overheat the parts, as a result of which it is not the repair of parts that is obtained, but vice versa. This is the most important reason for leaving a soldering station choice. The presence of the power supply makes the work easy and simple thanks to the ability to change the voltage and temperature.
Power plays a role, this is important when using refractory solders. Otherwise:
- high temperature - circuit overheating;
- the sting is destroyed when exposed to high temperatures;
- the heating part fails over time;
- overheating of the board tracks;
- the quality of soldering drops.
In order to avoid the above nuances, it is better to choose a station for lead-free soldering. You can also make a soldering iron with your own hands, which we talked about in the corresponding article!
Control type
Soldering Station - one of the most important devices in the manufacture of electronics. This indicates a high degree of need among the people doing this. The installation allows you to connect a pair of modules that allow soldering with and without a contact, you can also replace nozzles and tips.
In order to choose the right device, it is important to correctly determine the control method:
- digital (certain programs provide control over the heating of the tip, stability and accuracy in work, rather than analog);
- analog (devices must be constantly monitored, since high temperatures negatively affect the component parts of the device).
Main selection criteria
First-class adhesion of the elements is the most important goal of the soldering station. To choose the right device, you need to know the design and technical parameters:
- Heating element and its type. Today, the bulk of devices, among which you can choose, are of 2 types - ceramic and nichrome. Ceramic heats up quickly, but can burst with uneven heating, if there will be no heat stabilizer of all this, it will control the temperature and the device will serve longer. Nichrome quickly breaks down and is not suitable for frequent use. It costs significantly less than ceramics.
- The temperature adjustment range should be wider.
- Heating rate.
- Power. To choose a soldering station in terms of power, you must initially know the area of operation of the device: phones, laptops, tablets or household appliances, etc.;
- Voltage; weight, size, shape, etc.
And you also need to take into account such points as:
- world standards for lead-free soldering, which indicates equipment with a temperature of 250 degrees;
- The circuits are housed in a BGA chip package, making the device itself smaller and lighter.
What else is important to know?
When buying, the masters advise to stock up on spare replacement tips. They all differ in shape and area of the end, which determines the result of the work itself. Also, in order to select the appropriate version, you need to know that the larger edge provides better heat exchange during soldering. In turn, the shape affects the type of elements that will be soldered, as well as the accessibility to the soldering points and the temperature.
Another important tip is that in order to choose everything correctly, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the soldering tips are made, they must conduct heat transfer well. In addition, you need to select equipment with easy replacement of parts in case of failure of one of them.
The best manufacturers and models
Well, and the last thing I would like to tell you about which soldering station is better to choose for the home (for amateurs repair of household electrical appliances), work (electronics repair), as well as soldering of plastic car parts.
First of all, let's talk about instrument manufacturers. The best for today are the German company Ersa and the Chinese company Quick. However, for those who like to repair electrical appliances at home, choosing Ersa soldering equipment will not be the most rational solution. The fact is that the price of the equipment is quite high, so this option is better suited for professional use. At the same time, Quick has in its assortment budget soldering stations of more or less good quality.
Another popular brand is Lukey. Many craftsmen and radio amateurs claim that this is the cheapest China, which quickly breaks down and, moreover, can cause a fire. Another part of the masters recommends choosing a Lukey soldering station for novice radio amateurs, because some equipment models are quite well made and for their price they are the best option for a home workshop. To make your choice, we recommend looking at the reviews on YouTube. You can find many video reviews of new technology, which show the main functionality, equipment and disadvantages of certain soldering stations.
Yet the most popular low-cost models are the Lukey 702, 852D + and 868. From Quick, 202D ESD (for amateurs) and 702 ESD (for professionals) are most often bought.
A hot air station is suitable for repairing bumpers. A good option is Lukey 868, the work with which is demonstrated in the photo:
Finally, we recommend watching a video in which all the nuances of choosing a soldering station for home and work are discussed in detail:
Tips for beginners
That's all I wanted to tell you about this rather complex issue. We hope you now know how to choose a soldering station and which one is better in 2017!
It will be interesting to read:
- How to solder wires correctly
- Choosing a screwdriver for home
- How to solder radio components from boards
Hello dear Admin. Previously, he was engaged in the repair of household appliances (washing machines, etc.), but recently he switched to the repair of office equipment (PC system units, monitors, mobile devices, etc.) techniques) Basically, I soldered only large elements and for this reason, there was no need for a soldering station. I managed to get by with an ordinary electric soldering iron, but in recent months, more and more equipment comes with damage to small smd elements, well, eyes lit up, from the desire to buy a soldering station / system, but I am not strong in choosing a device, but after watching the video on YouTube, about metcal mx-5200, was going to buy it, but the price quickly increased by 5-10 thousand, and throwing off more than 40 thousand - the financial situation is not allows. I do not know why the station is called a system, but you need to choose an apparatus for a high-quality and, preferably, easy-to-learn soldering station / system, for working with small parts that are so easily damaged, you can help with the correct choice?
(0)I do not like
(0)
