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NirK , 10-06-2024, 11:13 AM

I am Nirmal and I am working as a PCB designer intern.I am using a 50 Watt soldering iron with a Big Tip which is not Temperature-controlled for soldering male header pins into my PCB.I had a hard time soldering it & while soldering, I accidentally lifted a SMD resistor.I find it difficult to solder it back with that same Iron with its very Big Tip.My questions are:
a) Which Soldering Iron do you normally use for PCB, especially for soldering things like header pins & SMD components?Can you suggest one?

b)Do I need to use de-soldering pump to remove all those solder-bridges,as seen in the images I attached?Also,I spread a lot of solder on top of the ESP32-C3-MINI-1 processor, the Reset Button and a tiny 512 capacitor(near SDA pin).Do I need to remove all that to get the board working?

QDrives , 10-06-2024, 02:21 PM

You tip seems to be a concave one ("solder well" is another name).
A concave tip is my preferred tip.
For me to know if the tip is to big, you would need to place the tip next to components on the board and make a picture of that.
From what I see, the problem is not you solder iron tip, but the solder you are using. There is not enough flux in yours.

NirK , 10-06-2024, 04:27 PM

@QDrives Yeah,it is a Solder Well type-I checked the internet.I am attaching the photos of the tip placed next to the PCB components and the solder wire as well👇

NirK , 10-06-2024, 04:29 PM

QDrives , 10-06-2024, 06:46 PM

I see. Yes it is a big tip. 5mm?
However, it is **not** too big to solder the headers **if** you have the skill and correct solder.
The photo of the solder does not show any manufacturer or type number.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 03:16 AM

Ohh sorry about that..I had put away the solder wrapping which shows the manufacturer,grade,gauge etc. Sending it now👇

Robert Feranec , 10-07-2024, 04:30 PM

This will help you - here I show what I use when soldering. You need also flux, braid and cleaner ... these are essential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWIzhbQaZZk&t=28523s

Robert Feranec , 10-07-2024, 04:31 PM

this may help you too https://youtu.be/9jpotpIO1-U

NirK , 10-07-2024, 04:57 PM

@Robert Feranec By Braid you mean the de-soldering wick/wire right? ...and in this video you are using an 'MG Chemicals 8341 No clean Flux Paste With Syringe' which is a bit expensive..I'm considering buying a flux paste from a local trusted brand in India...And lastly, do you have any guide on how to do Soldering of a tiny SMD Capacitor that I accidentally lifted off the PCB while Soldering with my present big-tip soldering iron(I have ordered a new one by Noel-60 Watt with a pointed tip)This is the SMD Capacitor I removed by mistake👇

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 07:41 PM

You do not need much flux.
With good solder **and** technique, you do not need (additional) flux at all.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 08:23 PM

Hmm.. @QDrives
a)How can we Develop this Good Technique?

b)What would be a good solder?One with a higher lead content,maybe?

Mini , 10-07-2024, 08:26 PM

Just adding my opinion.

Mini , 10-07-2024, 08:27 PM

a) good technique is achieved with practise - like anything in life

Mini , 10-07-2024, 08:27 PM

b) 67/37 is the best leaded solder I would say. when you use leaded solder already you are fine. Having flux in core helps, but you can use external flux yourself.

Mini , 10-07-2024, 08:28 PM

Just buy a decent iron- this one is garbage and makes your life horrible.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 08:41 PM

Thanks @Mini ..So now I know I don't need to buy new solder-63/37 is also good to go and as for the Iron-yeah,I nearly faint when I see the Tip-size of my present one!Just ordered another one-One Noel 60 Watt with a pointed tip

Mini , 10-07-2024, 08:52 PM

I have had this. It is garbage as well. Buy T12 type or JBC clone or something like that. There are many decent options. Also chinese tips are all garbage. With JBC clone you can buy original JBC tips and use them. With T12 Hakko tips. Anyway that was my advice.

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 08:52 PM

"How can we Develop this Good Technique?" -- Practice, practice and practice. But somebody helping with tip can be huge.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 08:56 PM

Hmm..gotta get some Perfboards, male header-pins and practice a lot on that..By the way @QDrives,what do You think of the Noel 60Watt Iron as in the image I sent above?Is it okay?

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 08:58 PM

My 2 preferred solder types are:
Loctite 502. For new components on the board. Not for rework, nor for wires. https://nl.farnell.com/en-NL/multicore-loctite/5029075-m/solder-wire-lead-free-0-7mm-500g/dp/5091070
Loctite 309. This can be used for wires. https://nl.farnell.com/en-NL/multicore-loctite/3099075-m/solder-wire-lead-free-0-7mm-500g/dp/5090910

With the Loctite 502 there is less need to clean. 309 needs cleaning.

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 08:59 PM

And do note: both are **lead free**. I do not solder using lead.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 09:03 PM

@Mini and @QDrives,the problem with your recommendations are a)Availability in My Country..No Trusted site like Amazon,Robu or Robocraze are selling these

b)They are Very Very Expensive.. Especially that JBC iron and T12 Also..😞

NirK , 10-07-2024, 09:05 PM

This Loctite one is Hell of an Expensive one..nearly 10,000 Indian Rupees😢

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 09:06 PM

I have seen your complaint about the cost of flux. So I am not the right person to tell you which soldering iron to get.
I have the Ersa iCon 1V soldering station. I have worked with JBC and Weller. Cannot say I prefer one over the other. But a good one will cost you.
How often do you solder? What do you solder?
If you want a cheap start... can't you buy another tip for you current iron?

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 09:08 PM

Do note that it is 500g versus the one you had of 50g. So 10x the amount.
You can try many others, but so note: it is trying.
If you buy the Loctite 500 solder, it will not be better than the solder you have now. Even the 502 requires you to have a good technique. 309 is the easiest, but leaves a brown residue that needs cleaning.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 09:12 PM

@QDrives I am a complete beginner to soldering...But now accidentally,I have Driven myself to a situation where I need to have some Advanced skill/practice/technique to Correct my mistakes.. It's like a sudden jump to the middle-deep end of the Ocean I think..And as you say,I have tried searching for the tip suitable for my present Soldron 50 Watt Iron..But in their website, Only the 25Watt Tip is available..

NirK , 10-07-2024, 09:15 PM

Yeah..I understand.. Soldering Technique is All..I'll just use my current solder and instead focus on practicing more Soldering header pins on Perfboards to improve my Technique

QDrives , 10-07-2024, 09:21 PM

Added flux is the solution for your current problem. I see that flux can be bought for €7 versus €70 for a solder reel.
I have been soldering for 25 years, most of which lead free (about 20 years).
Rarely do I use (additional) flux. Only in difficult rework situations. But yes, I had plenty material to test with.

NirK , 10-07-2024, 09:25 PM

Hmm..Thank You very much for your help and suggestions @QDrives!I will buy a good-quality flux as you said,and start practicing as soon as I get my new Iron.😃