Soldering Temperature

[Rich G.]

I recently picked up a soldering station with a temperature control.  What is the recommended practice for using the temp control??

For example, when using 63/37 solder what temperature do you set the iron at?  It melts @ 361 deg F, so do you set it at say 400 or do you crank it to 700 for a quick in/solder/out job.

[niftydog]

it depends on the thermal mass of the device being soldered. If you're soldering tiny transistors onto very fine tracks, you want it quite low. Somewhere around the melting point is a good start.

If you're soldering a wire to a potentiometer case for example, you want it a bit hotter so that you can keep the heat to a localised area so as not to damage the mechanisim.

It also depends on your technique. Turning it up is not a way to assist your bad technique! Also, some devices will specify the maximum soldering temperature and a time limit in the datasheet.

[Mike Burgundy]

too hot screws up your iron's tip, too cold and you'll fry components. You set the temperature so you can solder fast (1-2s max) but not too high. I prefer 250-300 C for regular electronics (higher temp for larger leads), 350C for pots and 400C for jacks.
hih