[Coco] Run of RGB2VGA boards

[Zippster]

John,

I use one of these Chinese built rework stations…

<https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnalRXeW81U0RKY2c <https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnalRXeW81U0RKY2c>>

They were ~$100 when I bought this one two years or so ago.  I’ve been through a few
soldering wands and many tips since then, probably something over 200,000 solder joints,
but it’s still working great (yes, it’s a rare day I don’t solder something).

I see similar models on ebay now for $60 or so including shipping.

<http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=852d&ssPageName=GSTL <http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=852d&ssPageName=GSTL>>

Tips and spare wands are available cheaply on eBay from these suppliers as well.
I think they are a great value.

- Ed



> On Sep 15, 2015, at 8:41 AM, John B <trymyz at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Ed,
> 
> What soldering iron do you use?
> 
> On Tue, Sep 15, 2015 at 9:15 AM, Zippster <zippster278 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> I usually use a tip like this one for drag soldering.  <
>> https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnRmFEQURPLXV4emc <
>> https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnRmFEQURPLXV4emc>>
>> I’ve seen ones in this shape that have the concave surface, I haven’t used
>> used them, but they look like they’d
>> work well except they might have a tendency to carry too much solder.
>> 
>> I use Amtech 4300 flux in the 10cc syringes. It’s great for SMDs, and
>> somewhat tacky which helps hold small parts
>> in place when positioning them.  Fantastic for cleaning up through-hole
>> solder joints as well.
>> 
>> I tried the hot-air method when I first started trying SMT.  It worked ok,
>> but you often have to clean things up with
>> a soldering iron afterward.  Also, there's the inconvenience and mess of
>> using soldering paste (which expires and
>> becomes unusable).  After I found I could do everything with an iron,
>> there was no contest.  I want nothing to
>> do with hot-air except for removing SMD ICs and shrink tubing (which it is
>> perfect for).
>> 
>> I find that now I use only two types of tips for all my SMT and
>> through-hole soldering, the type linked above,
>> and a chisel tip like this <
>> https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnVmROZmE3dnlnXzA <
>> https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sgl615FlGnVmROZmE3dnlnXzA>>
>> Surprisingly, I don’t like the traditional conical type for anything
>> anymore, the chisel tip gives me more control.
>> 
>> SMT soldering is different than through-hole, which is what I was used to
>> as well before getting into it.
>> Mastering it basically boils down to being able to control that surface
>> tension, or capillary action as Mark puts it,
>> which is done through a combination of temperature, flux, shape of the tip
>> and how you move it.
>> 
>> It’s definitely worth learning, it will improve your through-hole
>> soldering skills as well.
>> You can do everything but BGAs with a temp controlled iron, good flux, and
>> the right tip (and any needed
>> magnification).
>> 
>> - Ed
>>