How to learn how to solder: step by step instructions, features and recommendations of professionals

A soldering iron is considered one of the most common tools that can be found in the home of any owner. You do not have to be an expert and do professional rations. But everyone must have a basic knowledge of basic knowledge. Wire breaks in electrical appliances, contacts in sockets, headphones, fixing the boards are frequent phenomena, faced with which, a person wants to learn how to learn how to solder.

What is a soldering iron?

It is a special heat-radiating device with a power of 15 to 40 W, sufficient for soldering wires, boards and microcircuits. There are soldering irons, whose power is higher. They are intended for small soldering - for soldering unsuccessfully connected thick-gauge wires or for removing XLR connectors. The function of the heating element in the soldering irons is performed by the nichrome wire, which is wound on a tube containing a "sting" - the working surface of the device. The sting is a copper rod that is heated from the nichrome wire.

Copper is used in the device of the soldering iron, since this metal has a high thermal conductivity. The heat supply to the wire is due to the electric current. The device of the soldering iron contains an insulator, which serves as mica. For safety reasons, it prevents the wires from contacting the metal tube and the soldering iron casing.

Which soldering iron to choose?

It is easy to learn how to solder properly, but on condition of a successfully chosen tool. Among a wide variety of these devices, an amateur master who decided to fix office equipment, it is necessary to choose an acoustic soldering iron, which is small in size and good working capacity. It has a low heat capacity, which is desirable for thin soldering in the assembly of microcircuits. It is better for a novice master to choose a device whose power does not exceed 40 W. It is important that the soldering iron is also not weaker than 15 watts, since the power in such a product will not be enough even for connecting simple office equipment wires. Buy a tool with a three-directional grounding plug is preferable. Its presence will prevent possible voltage dissipation during the movement of the electric current to the metal tube.

For the work on the connection of calibration wires, chassis and stained-glass works an industrial soldering iron is suitable.

Which sting is better?

Working parts of soldering irons, depending on the size, are of two types:

• Ordinary, the diameter of which is 0.5 cm;
• Miniature with a diameter of 0.2 cm, used for soldering very thin wires and copper parts.

The working parts of the soldering tools can have the shape of a needle, a cone and a blade. The latter form is the most common, since it makes it possible to scoop out the necessary amount of solder. In addition, for ease of soldering, the sting can be straight or curved.

What is the principle of soldering?

The procedure of soldering involves joining two metal elements using a third (solder). In this case, the melting point of the parts to be connected must be higher than that of the third element, which penetrates into the interstices of the connected parts in the molten state, and also into their structure, providing a mechanical connection. At the same time, an electrical contact appears between the parts being connected.

What do you need to work?

The soldering procedure does not represent anything complicated. The question of how to learn how to solder from scratch is solved simply. To do this, it is enough to acquire the necessary material and, following the instructions, to start training.

Where to learn to solder?

You can train at home by soldering ordinary electrical wires. The main thing is to follow the safety instructions.

In the work you may need:

• Soldering iron (according to professionals, a tool with a capacity of 20-40 W will be enough to work with small wires in electronics and radio engineering);
• pliers;
• knife;
• scissors;
• Set of files;
• sandpaper;
• Insulation tape;
• rosin;
• solder.

The question "how to learn how to solder" will be solved after several training sessions. The beginner will have confidence and experience. Help in this he can step-by-step instruction for soldering.

Where to begin?

• Preparation of the sting. To do this, using pliers and nadfili, you need to clean the working part of the soldering iron. The sting should have an angle of 30-45 degrees. In the event that the tip is damaged, it must be sharpened again, giving the necessary shape. After that, tinning of the tip is carried out - the heated soldering iron should be dipped first into rosin, and then into solder.
• It is necessary to prepare a lining for the soldering iron for safety. This is due to the fact that the device heats up to a temperature of more than 300 degrees and operates under high electric voltage. It is important to optimize your workplace during the operation of the soldering iron. It is desirable that a lump of textolite or plywood is used as a lining. Also, special trays for solder and rosin are needed.
• Cleaning of the surfaces of the metals to be soldered. To do this, you will need sandpaper, solvent or soldering acid. It is important that no residual oil, grease and other contaminants remain on the surfaces to which the solder will be applied.

Sequence of work

How to learn how to solder correctly will become clear if you follow the step-by-step instructions. It is necessary:

• Install the soldering iron on a stand and plug it into the mains.
• Pop in the rosin. This is done 5-7 minutes after connecting to the outlet. The purpose of this procedure is to check the temperature of the tip heating and get rid of the scale. The soldering iron is considered ready for operation, if the rosin boils and melts. If it only softens, the sting is not heated enough. When the soldering iron is overheated, rosin spikes and splashes. In this case, the device needs to cool down a little.
• Treat the surfaces by tinning. Molten solder covers the joints of metal products.
• The exposed surfaces should be pressed against each other. In the places where they are combined, a new portion of solder should be applied by the soldering iron. The joined parts must be pressed until the solder cools or solidifies.

Using solder

Successful soldering is possible with skillful selection of the necessary solder - alloy of tin and lead. The most common is the solder of the brand POS-40 and POS-60. They are characterized by a low melting point (183 degrees) and are used in most soldering operations to join steel elements. This standard solder has the form of a wire with a diameter of 2.5 mm, which is very convenient for working with microcircuits.

For soldering parts from aluminum, it is advisable to purchase special aluminum solder. During operation it is important to remember that when heated, tin-lead compounds secrete gases that are very harmful to humans. Therefore, it is recommended to work with them in a well-ventilated area with the use of special respirators, gloves and goggles.

How to learn how to solder wires?

So, how to connect the wires? The operating sequence is standard for all types of soldering. Peeled ends of the wires are tinned. But for reliable fastening they are recommended tightly twisting together. During the procedure, the tip of the soldering iron is guided by one hand to the junction points, and the other to this place is fed wire solder.

In some cases, twisting of the wires is impossible. Then the connecting ends of the wires must be laid parallel to each other and squeezed with pliers. Work is carried out with one hand, the second - directs the soldering iron tip with solder to the connection point. Hold the ends of the wire should be done after removing the soldering iron tip from the solder zone.

Sometimes there is a need to connect the end of one wire from the middle of the other. Screwing in this case is done by wrapping the end of the wire around the other to which it is attached.

It should be remembered that soldering wires to butt-ends is impossible, since its reliability depends on the strength of the mechanical connection.

The question of how to learn how to solder wires is one of the most relevant among Internet users. Having mastered the technique of splicing and soldering, the masters get the opportunity to independently perform the following tasks without the help of specialists:

• Seamless heating equipment;
• Extension cord for electric guitar;
• Connection of usb-cable with antenna, etc.

What is shrinkage?

During the splicing of wires, professionals recommend the use of special heat shrink tubes. Their diameter must be twice as much as the wire. The tube is put on one end of the wire. After carrying out its mechanical engagement with another wire and soldering the heat shrink is dragged to the place of their connection. It should be positioned so that there is 1 cm left at each end of the seam. After that, the soldering is carried out again. The heat shrinkage should evenly cover and heat the connection of the wires. As a result of exposure to a tube of high temperatures, it is sealed, providing reliable insulation in the joint zone, as well as the strength of mechanical adhesion.

How to learn to solder boards?

Before you start a complex soldering, for example, to work with diode bands, experts recommend that novice masters get affordable budget cards. After training on them and mastering the standard methods of soldering, after a while the beginner will learn how to solder the microcircuits.

This type of soldering consists of consecutive stages:

• Preparatory. Before you start, you need to ensure a strong connection and lower the resistance. For this purpose, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned of grease and dust. For degreasing, you can use a napkin and soap solution. Acetone is used when it is necessary to clean the surface of the circuit to a shine. As a safer solvent, methyl hydrate is recommended. It is just as effective as acetone, but it does not have such a sharp smell.
• Placing the soldered parts of the board. Before learning how to solder schemes, you need to know the location of all its elements. In the first place, flat parts are subject to soldering. This is a resistor and varistor. Then proceed to the condenser, transistor, transformer, microphone and potentiometer. This sequence ensures the safety of the board elements that are sensitive to temperature effects.
• Heating of the joint to improve the thermal conductivity of the metal. The tip of the soldering iron must be leant to the components of the circuit for a few seconds. It is important at the same time not to allow it to overheat. The bubbles appearing on the surface will testify to it. In this case, the soldering iron must be removed from the solder zone.
• Application of solder. Performed until a small elevation appears on the diagram.
• Withdrawal of surplus. It is carried out after hardening and cooling of the solder. It is recommended not to rush, but to give time for the scheme to cool down for a while. This is important, because you can disrupt the connections made, and the work will have to be done anew.

Every man should learn how to solder the scheme. This will enable you to repair the plugs, modems, etc., with your own hands.

Soldering as a process is not limited to working with copper wires and microcircuits. Having mastered the ability to use a soldering iron on wires, you can proceed to subsequent, more complex operations with the use of various solders and various metals.