Soldering Gun: A soldering gun is a brute force tool, used for larger solder joints. If you are soldering heavy duty cables, speakers or terminals, then a soldering gun has the power you need. For finer, detailed work they are clumsy and awkward, so you will still probably want a soldering iron to go with your gun. The heat at the tip of the soldering iron is generated by a component called the “heating element”, which consists of a resistor. Resistors are materials that have low electrical conductivity, causing them to restrict the flow of electric current. Of course, you can also consider using grid current, but remember that this is the most dangerous power source. Be extremely careful and use it only if you have experience working with high-current. So, making a homemade soldering iron is about considering what power source to use, for example, an old PC power supply, a USB charger, or a car’s battery.

MoxNix said:These are very far from "the best" they're cheap junk. For simple soldering stations you really can't beat Weller. Sure they're more expensive but not excessively so and they're far better. Your so called "professional" rework station is a joke. If you want to see an actual professional rework station take a look Pace products. https://paceworldwide.com/product-catalog/rework-systemsAs an additional step, consider attaching a small metal tubing to the tip, because the lead tends to fade with heat. Remove the handle or any non-metallic material surrounding the stud to prevent it from melting or burning by the heat. Soldering Station: If you need a soldering iron with precise temperature control, along with the best thermal balance, then a soldering station is for you. Stations have an external control unit which contains the power circuitry necessary to deliver precise thermal output. The soldering iron is typically housed in a separate stand giving the user flexibility on the bench. It’s essential to ensure that the material you choose to make your heating element (resistor) can handle the electrical and heat load. This will prevent overheating and ensure safe and efficient operation. Homemade Soldering Iron Examples

isn’t a lot of money in the world of best soldering irons. It can buy you a cheap kit, loaded with accessories to sweeten the deal. Or it can buy you what is probably the most useful soldering iron a maker could have.We loved the Pinceil v2 so much we gave it an Innovation Award.Still enjoying my Hakko FX888D. While there are higher end units with better performance, in terms of long term costs, it is one of the best value units. The main reason for this, is the cheap replacement tips, and the wide selection. It’s important to remember that if you connect the positive wire with the negative without zero or minimal electrical resistance, you will create a short circuit. Basic Soldering irons: If you are just trying your hand with soldering then perhaps an advanced soldering setup is not for you, yet. A simple soldering iron heats up to a set temperature, giving you the confidence to start soldering without having to tweak the settings. All this being said, it’s important to highlight that the core of your homemade soldering iron will be a resistor, and you should know the electrical properties of the materials you will be working with to be sure that you are using a proper resistance and won’t be creating a dangerous tool. Approximate Wattage Calculation Just like an artist has their favorite brush, pencil etc, makers have their favorite type of soldering iron. Some prefer a full station with precise temperature control, hot-air rework and a built-in stand, some prefer a smart soldering iron, others just want a cheap soldering iron that gets the job done. There are also times when a soldering gun is required for large joints.

After letting it heat up, touch the solder with the screwdriver’s tip. If it gets melted, voila, your soldering iron is working! Some Considerations: Smart Soldering Irons: If space is at a premium, but you need a temperature controlled soldering station, then smart soldering irons are for you. Typically powered using USB C or DC power supplies, these irons provide precise temperature control without dominating the bench. In this article, I will give you some ideas to make cool homemade soldering irons. Let’s get started!Hot Air Soldering Station: These stations offer a temperature controlled soldering iron, along with a hot air gun that is used for surface mount soldering, reflowing circuits and desoldering components from boards. The iron is light in the hand and features a dial to set your temperature. Tips can be easily changed, and the kit comes with a selection of precision and chunky tips. Changing a tip involves unscrewing the collar and sliding the cold tip off, reversing the process to secure your choice in place. Soldering irons are accessible, relatively affordable tools; however, sometimes you don’t have one handy or want to make your own just for fun. In the kit we get lead free solder, spare tips and a folding stand (which works but isn’t the nicest). Sure all of these aren’t the best quality, but if we are starting out they will do a good job until we move onwards. Before you start making a soldering iron at home, it is essential to know the basic working mechanism of the tool. Soldering irons’ working principle is straightforward, but let’s go over it one more time.