The Art of Soldering--Contents and Introduction

CONTENTS

Section 1--CHOOSING YOUR SOLDERING IRON

Type; Portable gas; Rechargeable; Electrical Voltage 220-240V 100-120V 24V 12V

What wattage do I need?

What size iron do I need?

Section 2--ACCESSORIES

Stand; Solder sucker; De-solder braid

Section 3--FLUXES

Inert types; Active types

Section 4--SOLDER

Pre-fluxed solder Savbit 60/40 Tin/Lead 40/60 Tin/Lead Arax 95/5 Tin/Antimony Alusol Plumbers Solder paste Solder tape Low melt solder

Section 5--SAFETY

Safety and children; Fusing

Section 6--STARTING TO SOLDER

Temperature; Heat; Preparing to solder; Tinning the bit; Changing the bit

Section 7--THE DRY JOINT

What is a dry joint?

Section 8--SOLDERING AND ELECTRONICS

Equipment recommendations; Soldering irons; Solder types; Flux; Solder sucker; Small pliers

Small side-cutters; Damp sponge; Learning to solder; Tinning wires; Tinning the board; Soldering particular components; Soldering integrated circuits; Industrial methods; Solder pots

Section 9--REPAIRS AND SOLDER REMOVAL

De-solder braid; The solder sucker; The integrated circuit de-soldering bit; De-soldering and surface mount technology.

Section 10--SOLDERING AND MODEL RAILWAYS

Equipment recommendations; Soldering irons; Voltage; Wattage; Solder types; Fluxes and tools; Starting to solder; Soldering track; Soldering larger parts

Section 11--SOLDERING WHITE METAL

Section 12--SOLDERING STAINED GLASS

Section 13--SOLDERING USING A GAS FLAME

Water and other copper pipes, etc.; Car radiator repairs

Section 14--CONCLUSION

Preface

To most people soldering is a subject which has to be dealt with occasionally and in most cases the odd repair job done is just acceptable but never understood.

This guide will cover most aspects of soldering, from electronics to car radiators.

INTRO

Soldering is a subject that worries a great many people, mainly because they do not understand it or have little or no experience. Many have heard that it is very difficult to achieve good results and indeed that it s very easy to make serious mistakes.

As soldering is now part of many hobbies, especially electronics and modeling, it is essential that this myth be destroyed.

In this guide, the author has tried to dissolve the mysteries that surround the subject so that it can be enjoyed and become more a part of the individual hobby and not be regarded as a problem.

The author has covered most hobbies that involve soldering, including electronics, model railways and stained glass. Included are sections on choosing the correct soldering iron, solder, materials and tools so as to be able to get the best results from your efforts.

Many illustrations are included to help demonstrate the correct procedures and also some practical exercises are detailed so as to help you learn to solder correctly.

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Also see: Electronic Techniques--Soldering, Shop Practices and Construction (for industry, classroom, DIY and hobby; using pre-computer and CAD-less methods)