My new-and-improved equipment has finally arrived! In fact, I can’t believe I haven’t been using some of these.
First up—some multi-core wires. Regular breadboard jumper wires aren’t very good for soldering, and I’m pretty sure I busted most of my pots trying to re-solder them. So give it up for these wires, everybody.
And then we got this scissor-thing. I think it’s called a hemostat, but I don’t use it for surgery. Instead, it works as a heat sink clip. I clamp it onto sensitive components to draw 50% of the heat away.
I’m also learning to use flux! It’s one of those things feels optional…until you use it.
When hot metals react with oxygen in the air, they form an oxide layer. Solders hate that, because the layer is in the way and can’t stick to the metal surface. Flux removes that annoying layer.
I also got some new probes for my multimeter, to check the connectivity between two components — or rather, between two components that SHOULDN’T be connected.
Also, these things are sharp.
Finally, the most significant improvement by far. MY NEW HEAT-CONTROLLED SOLDERING IRON!!!
This is a game changer. (Side note: it’s the title of a book by Neal Shusterman, my favourite author. It’s about racism. I thought it was overly preachy, but he’s Neal Shusterman, so I’ll allow it.)
The solder stays at 350C, so it doesn’t keep heating up. You can tweak with the knobs a bit and bring it up to a higher temperature if you’d like. It also powers off on its own when you’re not using it.
Super versatile chiseled tip. Awesome sauce!!!
