Soldering iron The main tool you will need is a soldering iron. Just like anything else they can range in price as well as power. For soldering on circuit boards, low wattage (15-40 watt) work best, while more powerful (60-140 watt) soldering irons work well joining thicker materials like braided wire. Solder There are several different kinds and thicknesses of solder available. They range from around .02” to solder that is very large and usually only used for joining copper pipe with a torch. For circuit boards .025” is recommended. It is best to use solder with a rosin core, which acts as flux when soldering and helps the connection. Solder with a rosin core is the kind that’s most available at hardware stores and electronic suppliers. Soldering iron tips Soldering irons come with a tip, however, it’s important to know the difference between them and make sure you are using the proper tip for the job. Your soldering iron tip should be smaller than the object you are soldering so you can keep better control of the project. Soldering iron holder Some soldering irons come with their own holder. Even though they aren’t necessary to soldering they are a good idea to hold the hot iron, to avoid burning or melting objects in your work area. You can either buy a separate holder if your iron didn’t come with one or make one yourself. Cleaning sponge To have complete control over your work, a sponge comes in handy for cleaning up solder that winds up in the wrong areas or collects on the soldering iron. Tools to work with wires Your usual collection of wire tools will be necessary for working with the wires you are soldering, and also for holding on to small items. Tools can include needle nose pliers, a wire stripper and anything else you would normally use for your project. Clips to hold your work Often called, appropriately, “helping hands,” these are invaluable tools to have when soldering. You will need to hold the soldering iron with one hand and the solder with the other, so using alligator clips, clamps or even tape to hold your work becomes a necessity. If you plan to solder often it is a good idea to invest in these “third hands”. Exhaust fan Soldering produces fumes that aren’t really a good idea to constantly inhale, so if you can hook up an exhaust fan or even a regular fan that will drag the fumes away from you and outside, it’s in your best interest to do so. Safety goggles These are another good idea to have when soldering. Little bits of molten solder usually fly out of the soldering joint when you are feeding the solder, the last place you want them to wind up is in your eyes. This list of tools will get you started and as your projects and skill increase you can always add some of your own or upgrade your tools as needed.
Same as with many other projects, having the proper tools for the job determines the quality of the work being done. In the case of soldering you can start out using a lot of fancy and expensive tools, or just a few simple items that can be picked up at any hardware store for a couple dollars. The main thing is to start out small and then build your selection of tools as your needs increase. Here are some tools that will be needed to get you started.
