View source for Electric Soldering Iron

[[File:Soldering iron and accessories.jpg|Soldering iron and accessories|300px|right]]
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=====Description=====

Electric [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_iron '''Soldering Irons'''] have small [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper '''Copper''']  tips heated electrically - often via a Lo-Volt transformer. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper '''Copper'''] tips are usually iron-plated to extend their life and are available in various shapes and sizes to suit the work in hand.


=====Features and Applications=====

Low power electric [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_iron '''Soldering Irons'''] are commonly in the range 15W - 25W and used extensively for electronics work. They are used together with '''Multi-Core Solder''' which ensures that a suitable non-corrosive ''(i.e. often [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_(metallurgy)#Rosin_fluxes '''Rosin Based'''])'' '''[[Flux]]''' is supplied alongside the molten soft solder.


Higher power electric [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_iron '''Soldering Irons'''] are available for larger work ''(e.g. up to 500W)'' but even these may not be able to supply enough heat when working with large pieces of conductive metals - as in '''[[:Category:Beaten Metalwork|Beaten Metalwork]]''' for example.


=====Maintenance=====

The tip, or ‘bit‘, of all soldering irons must be kept clean and coated with a thin layer of solder - a process known as '''''‘Tinning’'''''.  This is achieved with  electric [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_iron '''Soldering Irons'''] by regularly wiping them on a wet sponge ''(often provided as part of a soldering station)''  then melting on to it a small amount of '''Multi-Cored Solder'''.


{{Soft Soldering Buyers Guide}}


[[Category:Tools and Equipment]]
[[Category:Heat Area Equipment]]