Whether you’re building an arcade cabinet, working on a DIY car or making the latest robot, soldering is one of the most crucial maker skills and the right tools make all the difference. A good kit includes a hot iron, solder wire and a stand, plus desoldering and safety tools to help you get started.
A Soldering iron stand soldering tool is a chisel shaped iron that heats quickly and has a variety of tips to help you solve your problem. You can also find a soldering station that is ideal for electronics projects and kits. It gives you full control over the temperature and often comes with a set of replacement tips. The stations are more expensive but give you the power to produce the best results.
The Weller 140W soldering gun is a great choice and can reach 480 degrees Celsius in just six seconds. It has a wide range of different tip sizes and is perfect for large power connections like those on a robot or vehicle. It has a hot air rework gun which is great for reworking solder on more intricate connections.
When you’re ready to tackle a new project it is important that your iron and work area are clean and free of debris. It is also important to use the right kind of solder. There are two types, lead based and lead free, both have their benefits. I prefer to work with rosin core solder, which has a flux inside and improves the flow of the solder and bonding between the metals.