by There are different types of soldering irons available. The nature and complexity of your soldering project will determine which type of soldering iron you choose to use. Your selection also depends on how often you perform soldering projects in the first place. If you only do a minor soldering project every once in a while, then you may want a simpler and cheaper soldering iron. Therefore, consider your basic needs carefully before coming to a decision on a soldering iron.
Below are the 5 main types of soldering irons.
1) Soldering Pencils
The cheapest soldering irons on the market are soldering pencils. These are the most commonly chosen soldering irons because they can perform simple do-it-yourself projects without any hassle. They’re also very compact, so you can store them away somewhere safe without them taking up much room.
On the downside, soldering pencils do not have any way for you to control the temperature of the iron tip. You are forced to use the preset temperature generated by the device. The temperature of the heat is enough to reach the melting point of most solder metals, but it may not be enough for the solder metals used in commercial applications and projects. That is why soldering pencils are best used for personal or recreational projects only.
2) Soldering Gun
Soldering guns are a step up from soldering pencils, but they’re still meant for do-it-yourself projects and home-based applications only. However, it may be worth spending a little more money on a soldering gun because they can heat up faster than a soldering pencil. This is possible with its transformer component, which can generate an electrical current that is hundreds of amperes. With a current of this magnitude, the soldering iron tip can heat up very quickly.
3) Soldering Stations
Soldering stations are a combination of a power station and soldering pencil. The power station is used to adjust and maintain the temperature of the iron tip on the soldering pencil.
As you just learned, a soldering pencil by itself does not give you the ability to control the temperature of its iron tip. But if you use the soldering pencil in conjunction with a power station, then you will have the ability to control the temperature of the iron tip. Some of the newer soldering station models have electronic temperature control as well.
You can expect to pay considerably more money for a soldering station than a soldering gun or soldering pencil. But if temperature control is what you need, then a soldering station is the best investment for soldering that you can make.
4) Soldering Tweezers
When you need to solder small components, such as the diodes, resistors, and capacitors on a circuit board, then soldering tweezers are the best type of soldering irons that you can use. The two tips on the tweezers are heated by the connected soldering station. You can control the temperature of the tips from the station too.
The tips are mounted onto two arms. You hold and squeeze the arms in order to squeeze the tips safely. There is a spring force within the arms that allows you to be gentler with your squeezing. That way, you can melt solder very carefully in between the necessary components of the circuit board.
Read also:
- Soldering Iron: Working Principle and Proper Temperature Tips
- Top 5 Best Cordless Soldering Iron for Your Electronic Hobbies
- 5 Difference Types of Transistors and their Applications
5) Hot Knife Soldering
Hot knives are special types of soldering irons that have a double-edged blade on top of a heat source. It is possible for the blade to reach as much as 1,000°F, which is approximately 538°C. Hot knives are usually used for personal and industrial projects that involve carpeting applications, automotive applications, and marine applications.
