Page 170 - Make Your Own PCBs with EAGLE from Schematic Designs to Finished Boards

CHAPTER 7

Soldering

I n this chapter, I will first give a simple introduction to soldering of through-hole PCBs and then

look at the more difficult but still perfectly possible soldering of SMD boards.

Tools

You do not have to spend a lot of money on tools for soldering PCBs. You can get perfectly good
results with low-cost equipment. You wouldn’t learn the violin on a Stradivarius, so don’t buy a top-
end Weller soldering station as your first soldering iron. Gradually improving your tools is one of the
joys of electronic construction. Where would the fun be if you had the best of everything from day
one?

General Tools

However you plan to do your construction, you will need certain tools when soldering a PCB.

Snips and Pliers

Snips (essential) are used to cut the excess leads off components after they have been soldered. They

are sharp and allow you to get close to the solder joint. They are also useful for stripping the
insulation off wire. Eventually, snips lose their sharpness and become blunt, especially if they are
abused by being used to cut steel guitar strings. I use very cheap snips (Figure 7-1) and then replace
them as soon as they become blunt enough to be irritating to use.