Selecting a Soldering Tip

So, you’ve thought long and hard and have decided on a soldering system to purchase for your own use at home; “But, now what?”  What type of tips should you use and/or invest in having on hand for the work that you want to accomplish with your shiny new system?  Well, let me dive in and see if I can help you out. 

The first thing you should ask is this, what do I want to accomplish with my new soldering system.  Are you a beginner and just want to use it for small jobs like tinkering with RC cars, or are you a serious hobbyist, technician, or engineer that has a lab that you started up and want to become proficient as a soldering Guru?

Either way, you will have to decide what size, type, and temperature rating will be needed for the work at hand.  So, let’s go over a few of the basics on tips.

The first thing I always consider when deciding on a soldering tip is the size of the part to be soldered.  If you use too large a tip the item to be soldered could be overheated or the tip might not be small enough to fit in between other components or wiring.  If you select a tip that is too small, the temperature may be inadequate to melt the solder thoroughly, resulting in a bad or “cold”, soldered joint.

 Example of the tip to joint size

Here are few types of tips I use for my station.  As you can see, there are many different types and sizes you can use.  Each one is unique in its own application.  I am not going to name any one brand as that would be prejudicial to the aspects of this article.  Suffice it to say, I use a high end soldering station with many different types of tips that are useful for many different applications.  Here's a picture of one of my tip holders..  

  Some typical soldering tips

Tips usually come in temperature ratings starting at 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 degrees Fahrenheit.  Sizes can range from the very small at just .016 of an inch to larger tips that span up to .87 of an inch.  Some tips may be even larger than this depending on the application.  There are many various shapes and sizes. The chisel tip is the most common tip that I use.  It is good for most of my soldering jobs.

Chisel Tip

If you would like to see a list of shapes click on this link.  This vendor provides dozens of shapes, sizes, and brands of soldering tips.

http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/search-refine.aspx?f=1%3a736%2c1%3a816%2c1%3a818%2c2%3aMetcal&attribute=1337

In order to ensure that you use the correct temperature rating and tip size, you will have to do your own research.  I only have the ability to show you the difference and recommendations that I use for my own stations. 

Hoof Tip

Here's an example of a hoof tip shown above.  This tip is useful for soldering surface mount chips that have leads.  You place a dab of solder on the underside of the hoof and drag the tip over three or four legs at a time.  Observe the example short video below.

Hoof Tip Video

This introduction to soldering tips is only intended to present you with basic tip shapes, sizes, and temperature ranges.  I will go more in-depth in future articles on the application for these tips that I have presented to you today in future articles.  However, to become proficient at soldering, selecting the appropriate soldering tip is a key element in ensuring that your solder job is of the highest quality that your own skills will provide.  I highly recommend attending a soldering school if time and money are not a factor.  A skilled instructor is an invaluable asset in learning how to solder correctly and will help you tremendously when it comes to performing the job right the first time. 

There’s a saying in the industry, “The bigger the blob, the better the job”.  Those are words to live by.  It essentially means that applying more solder is not going to make for a better connection.  Utilizing the correct tip and heat range will prevent this from happening.  A cold solder joint usually results from incorrect heating and poor wetting action.  Shown below is just one example of what a cold solder joint can look like.

Cold solder joint

I know, I know, you’re wondering what “wetting “is.  We will discuss this necessary phenomenon in future articles.  – Unless you want to know what it is right now?  In that case, wiki it and I’m sure you will figure it out.  Otherwise, I will just stick to talking about tips for now.

Small wattage irons, with limited tips available, “in my expert opinion”, are not worth the time and money to use.  I would never try to solder any job utilizing such a paltry tool.  15 to 30 watts of power at the tip is not enough energy, “in my expert opinion”, to make a quality soldered connection. 

But hey, if you want to risk it and buy a cheap, crappy iron just to save a few bucks, then you will not get the outcome that you wanted when you thought it was a good idea. 

I can’t make anyone a better soldering technician by simply talking about it.  I can however, provide you with the necessary information to help guide you along to your own level of proficiency.  The rest is up to you.  Some of you out there will become very skilled and some will struggle to become even slightly good at soldering.  Everyone has a limit to their abilities.  I make no claim that I will make you a better soldering technician. 

So, hang in there and take your time to learn about what is necessary to perform a soldering job right the first time. 

Come back again and hopefully by then, I should have a new article about the uses for some of the different types of tips that I have not shown here.