Page 173 - Make Your Own PCBs with EAGLE from Schematic Designs to Finished Boards

FIGURE 7-3 Low-cost soldering station.

When you are buying your soldering station, bear in mind that eventually the tips (also called bits)
will need replacing. Make sure that replacements will remain available, or buy them when you buy
the iron. With the trend that components are getting smaller and smaller, you probably will want a tip
of perhaps 2 mm. There are many different tip shapes, and choice is a matter of personal preference.
Many people prefer a chisel-shaped tip. A simple conical tip is another popular choice.

If you plan to use lead-free solder, then temperature control is a must. You can get away with a
simple low-cost soldering iron if you are using solder with lead in it because this type of solder is
much easier to work with (see next section).

WARNING It should go without saying that soldering irons get hot enough to burn your skin. Be
very careful, and always put the soldering iron back into its holder as soon as you have

finished with it. Do not leave it on the desk to roll off, triggering the automatic instinct to try
to catch it when inevitably its lead gets snagged and it falls off the desk. Soldering also
produces fumes from the rosin flux. It is a good idea to solder next to an open window or use
a fume extractor.

Solder