Guide to Field Soldering

Stone3408 writes: "This is a kit that will allow you to do many soldering tasks in the field, cost about $8.00, and it all fits in an Altoids tin! I've used this same set of stuff for years now and was inspired to share it based on a recent instructable on soldering (an outstanding one). This instructable goes one step further in building a portable helping hand, solder dispenser, and assembling all the other tools that you will need to get things done in the field. Let me add at this point I know this not the best way to solder and this method has its limitations. It is however the best way to fix surveillance equipment at 3 a.m., in the back of a van, in the dark. I can testify to that. Good times. I was a tech for an undercover narcotics unit for five years and this method came through for me many times." - Link. Related:

• It's Learn To Solder Month! - Link.
• Soldering Tutorial PDF - Link.
• Soldering Tutorial - Make Video Podcast - Link.
• Soldering how-tos, tutorials and more @ MAKE - Link.

From the pages of MAKE:

• Soldering and Desoldering. Step-by-step instructions for making (and unmaking) the perfect solder joint. MAKE 01 page 166. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition or get MAKE 01.

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It's Learn to Solder Month!

The folks at Instructables have declared that it's Learn to Solder Month! Make sure to watch the Make video podcast about soldering and then head on over to Instructables to catch the soldering action! Make your own soldering instructable and get a patch!

Make: Soldering Tutorial - Link
Gareth's Awesome How-To PDF - Link
How-to solder - Link
Tin the Tip - Link
What NOT to Do When Soldering - Link
Soldering Maintenance - Link
Soldering Paste Stencils - Link
Hot Air Sodering Iron - Link
Soldering Underneath Chips - Link
Solder Exhaust Fan - Link
Improving a 3rd Hand - Link
Super Simple Soldering Arms - Link

Homemade Nearly Free Soldering Iron Stand - Link

Check them out as more people submit soldering instructables through the end of the month - Link

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Soldering Tutorial - Make Video Podcast

Joe Grand and I got together last year to shoot this 19 minute video that teaches you how to solder and desolder. This is required watching for anyone wanting to get into DIY electronics.

In this video you'll learn lots of tips and tricks that will make you a much better solderer. I grew up teaching myself to solder and since making this video with Joe, my soldering skills have improved a lot! I don't overheat parts, I make less cold-solder joints, and in general my soldering is significantly neater.

In this video, you'll learn the three ways to desolder parts too, which is a really important skill for circuit bending and hardware hacking. Learning how to use solder-wick, a solder sucker, and the Chip Quik kit will give you extra skill points and make you an awesome electronic deconstructionist.

Here's an mp4 that plays on pretty much everything. Here's a bigger mp4 for the HD fiends. Here's a 3gp and 3g2 for people who like to watch on their phones! Of course if you subscribe in iTunes, the videos and accompanying PDF get downloaded automatically for you, no muss no fuss.

Note: This video is too long to go on YouTube or Revver and so you'll have to go check it out on blip.tv or on the weekend projects page at your leisure! - Subscribe Link

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Soldering Tutorial PDF

This week, to go along with the Make: Video Podcast Soldering Tutorial, we present a PDF of Gareth Branwyn's Street Tech soldering guide with illustrations by Mark Frauenfelder, which was published in Gareth's book Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots.

Between the video, Gareth's guide, and the Primer in Make: Volume 01, there is no excuse for people not to pick up a soldering iron and get busy. The barrier to entry is now so low, that Heathkit is rolling over in its grave for missing out on all the action!

Download the PDF or get it automatically delivered in iTunes. - Link

The soldering Primer is required reading and can be found in Make: Volume 01 or digital subscribers can go read it online. - Link

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The Basics of Soldering, Photo Gallery

EPE Magazine has a good gallery and text on the basics of soldering: "These photos illustrate the basic steps in making a perfect solder joint on a p.c.b. If you're a beginner, our advice is that it's best to practice your soldering technique using some clean, new parts with perhaps some new stripboard (protoboard). Be sure to avoid using old, dirty parts; these can be difficult if not impossible to solder." - Link.
Related:

• Basic Desoldering Guide - Link.
• HOW TO Solder - Resources - Link.
• Soldering Guide (PDF) - Link.

From the pages of MAKE:

• Soldering and Desoldering Step-by-step instructions for making (and unmaking) the perfect solder joint. MAKE 01 - Page 162. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition or get Volume 01.

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DIY Hot Air Soldering Iron

Charper writes: "This project stemmed from the desire to remove (and perhaps one day re-solder) surface mount components. In it's entireity (pictures and all), it took less that two hours and $20. Even if you have to buy everything, I believe the cost could easily be kept under $30. Comparatively, I could not find a hot air soldering iron retain for under $200. Every entrepreneuring young electrical engineer needs to work on some project to satisfy curiosities and take things apart... right? Well, at least I do!" - Link.
Related:

• Join the MAKE Instructables Group - Link.
• $45 Hot Air Pencil - Link.
• HOW-TO: SMD Soldering (surface-mount devices) - Link.
• Looking for a good soldering iron? - Link.
• Solder surface mount parts with a toaster oven. - Link.
• HOW-TO : Hand-solder teeny tiny chips! - Link.

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