Darren
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Registered: 21st Apr 02
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
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Need to replace a small push switch on a PCB, what wattage soldering iron would be best for the job? Would 15w be powerfull enough? Don't want anything to powerful as it's a fiddly job and don't want to start melting bits!
Thanks
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Sam
Moderator
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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I use a 60w soldering iron for soldering stuff on motherboards etc.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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15w is more than enough, 60w is a bit high for small electronics, I've got an 18w one I use for everything.
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adiohead
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Registered: 28th Sep 01
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I always melt the PCB 
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Theory one of the guys here has is that if you have a powerful soldering iron with an appropriate tip then it's better than a less powerful one. You spend less time heating the component so there is less heat sink into it. We've got an adjustable one and I've never used it on anything but full power.
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stubs
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Registered: 30th Jun 02
Location: Bolton
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quote:
Originally posted by ed
Theory one of the guys here has is that if you have a powerful soldering iron with an appropriate tip then it's better than a less powerful one. You spend less time heating the component so there is less heat sink into it. We've got an adjustable one and I've never used it on anything but full power.
 Sound as a pound... that's the way I always work. Try to have the iron on your component as little as possible.
Also use solder braid to remove the solder.. I find them better and easier to use than solder suckers
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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That theory works if you get it first time, it'll just melt everything if you aren't any good.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Had a go with some braid recently, it's really effective and a lot less fiddly than trying to use a sucker.
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Darren
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Registered: 21st Apr 02
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
User status: Offline
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got a 25w in the end. see how it goes tomorrow!!
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Tiger
Member
Registered: 12th Jun 01
Location: Leicestershire Drives:Astra VXR
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Get a heat shunt to soak up excess heat travel.
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Bart
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Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
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also buy a new PCB to replace the one you'll fcuk up
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stubs
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 02
Location: Bolton
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Tiger
Get a heat shunt to soak up excess heat travel.
Sounds good, what is this?
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