Temperature Controlled Solder Station Question

[newAmpBuilder]

Newbie question here. I've always just used a good wattage soldering iron for projects but my last one took a nose dive so it was time to replace it. From everything I was reading about it I just got my first digital temperature controlled soldering station - a Hakko FX888D. I am wondering what recommendations for the optimum soldering temperature would be for both pedals and amps? I know it's a basic question but I don't want to fry something unnecessarily if i can help it.

[martin manning]

Here is a good general guide to soldering: https://www.techspray.com/ultimate-guid ... -soldering
600-650F is recommended for Pb-Sn solder and 650-700F for lead free. You can read about the pros and cons. I use Pb-Sn solder and generally have my solder station set close to 700F, and I can make tips last a long time by not leaving the iron idle for extended periods, maintaining the tip by keeping it clean, adding solder to it between joints, and treating it with tip cleaner/tinning paste regularly. With good technique, high temperature allows you to make joints quickly and minimizes heat soak into components and PCB traces.

[newAmpBuilder]

Here is a good general guide to soldering: https://www.techspray.com/ultimate-guid ... -soldering
600-650F is recommended for Pb-Sn solder and 650-700F for lead free. You can read about the pros and cons. I use Pb-Sn solder and generally have my solder station set close to 700F, and I can make tips last a long time by not leaving the iron idle for extended periods, maintaining the tip by keeping it clean, adding solder to it between joints, and treating it with tip cleaner/tinning paste regularly. With good technique, high temperature allows you to make joints quickly and minimizes heat soak into components and PCB traces.

I think that answers my question. I'm using Pb-Sn solder and I was looking at lowering the temp to around 550 but keeping it higher to make quick solder joints makes more sense. Thanks!

[xtian]

I use Sn63Pb37 Kester, and my temp is typically set to 620F for most soldering.

[maxkracht]

Mine's almost always at 666. Alligator clip or hemostat heat syncs are good for sensitive things like germanium if you're not used to working fast. This doesn't help with pulling traces, so still need to get your speed and confidence up. A small bottle of RA flux is very useful in helping things flow, even if you are already using rosin core solder.

The #1 thing to think about is thermal conduction. You need to have a blob of solder on your iron to fill the air gaps between it and the stuff you are soldering for heat to transfer properly. If everything you are trying to solder isn't getting hot, it will take a lot longer and you will have crappy solder joints.