Introduction to simple methods of soldering wires without using a soldering iron
Sometimes when we are conducting line maintenance outside, we may encounter the need to solder wires, but due to the lack of 220V AC power, we cannot use an electric soldering iron (sometimes it is inconvenient to solder at high altitude). Here are two simple methods for soldering wires without using an electric soldering iron.
1. Welding wires with a lighter
Weld wires with a lighter.
When using a lighter to weld wires, first use a wire stripper to strip the wire, expose the copper wire, and twist the two wire ends together. Then wrap the solder wire around the wire end (as shown in the picture above), and heat it with a lighter for a moment. The solder wire will melt and weld the two wire ends together. After welding, check if the welding is secure. Once confirmed, wrap the wire ends with electrical tape. This welding method is very simple, even if standing on a ladder, it can be welded, which is more convenient than using an electric soldering iron.
2. Welding wires with a hot iron
Fire soldering iron.
If there are many wires to be welded, a soldering iron can also be used for welding. The tip of this soldering iron is made of red copper, and the handle is made of folded steel bars. When in use, place the soldering iron on a coal fire and heat it up to use for soldering wires.
Red copper soldering iron tip.
Using a soldering iron to solder wires, the wire ends are first twisted together and wrapped with solder wire. Due to its large tip and sufficient heat, this soldering iron is suitable for welding larger solder joints. Long ago, some electronics enthusiasts used this soldering iron to solder discrete component radios. In addition, this soldering iron can also be used to weld iron water buckets or tea jars.
50 years ago, electric soldering irons were not very popular, and soldering was also available at that time. Find a copper rod (must be made of copper), use a hammer to flatten the front end, drill a small hole (diameter 8mm) in the middle of the rod, and install a handle with 8mm steel bars. The heat source can be liquefied gas or coal furnace. First, hang the tin on the flat end of the copper rod. It cannot be used without hanging the tin. The temperature of the copper rod should not be too high, around 300 degrees. If it burns slightly red, the copper and tin will become an alloy. If the tin cannot be hung, it is not easy to use. You also need to knock off or grind off this layer of alloy before hanging the tin again. Of course, it is difficult to solder high-density circuit boards with self-made soldering irons.
