Manual soldering

Mass soldering has not entirely replaced manual soldering and it is possible to enumerate various applications of the latter. The basic tool for the manual process is the soldering iron, with its vital major component, the bit. Parameters to be taken into account include power available at the bit, maximum bit temperature, thermal capacity and recovery time. Considerable detail is provided on the criteria that govern the choice of soldering iron bits, and a few useful soldering aids described. Although individual styles of hand soldering emerge, following the preferred practice should guarantee reliable joints. After an outline of the optimal operating procedure, some information is given on touch‐up, desoldering and structural joints. This article is an extract from the book “Handbook of Printed Circuit Design, Manufacture, Components and Assembly” by G. Leonida, published by Electrochemical Publications Limited, 8 Barns Street, Ayr, Scotland.