How do we use the soldering iron correctly?
1. The first point to mention is the use of this soldering flux (solder paste). Most soldering fluxes are acidic and have a certain oxidation effect on the soldering iron tip. It is best not to use them.
Here is a recommended method for making soldering flux, which is to grind rosin into powder and pour it into an alcohol solution for thorough dissolution. This ratio is usually 40% rosin powder mixed with 60% alcohol solution, and having a little more rosin is not a problem. Please note that medical grade alcohol should not be used. Use alcohol solutions with a concentration of over 90%, and the container should be kept sealed.
2. The second point to mention is the power outage issue. Many users are accustomed to not unplugging the power plug in a timely manner after using it. When the soldering iron tip is in a heated state, it will naturally oxidize and non stick solder. Therefore, in daily use, it is necessary to cut off the power supply in a timely manner after use.
3. The third point to mention is the issue of tin plating on soldering iron tips that many people overlook. In order to save time, most soldering iron tips are not tinned after use. Even after the soldering iron tip is powered off, its temperature is still very high and it will oxidize with air. However, tinning it before power off can prevent it from being oxidized.
4. The fourth point to be discussed is the issue of soldering, which can be both good and bad. In order to save money, most people choose cheap soldering wire. Although cheap, the quality is very worrying. It is easy to produce solder slag, and even turns into solder slag when exposed to heat.
5. The fifth and final point that the author wants to emphasize is the soldering iron tip. A good soldering iron tip can achieve twice the result with half the effort. For daily use, we can use round or blade tips, but we need to choose a better soldering iron tip. For example, soldering iron tips made of purple copper are very durable and have strong antioxidant capabilities.
