How to Solder

How to Solder – Learn how to solder when repairing mobile phone. You will need good quality soldering iron, solder wire, flux, solder paste for BGA, Hot Air Blower.

Soldering

Soldering electronic components by hand is a very important part of mobile phone repairing or repairing and rework of any PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Good soldering can increase the life and performance of any PCB. Poor soldering can lead to failure of the PCB. This basic hand soldering guide is a tutorial on how to do hand soldering like a professional.

Tools and Consumables Needed for Hand Soldering

You will need following mobile phone repairing tools and equipment:

1. Soldering Iron – Always try to buy a good ESD-Safe soldering iron. A 50 watt soldering iron is good for soldering any electronic component to a PCB.
2. Soldering Station – If you are a professional, try to get a good quality branded ESD-Safe soldering station. It will have a separate unit (Station) to control temperature and a soldering iron plugged into the station.
3. Flux Cored Solder Wire: It is always better to use flux cored solder wire. Flux will help to remove any oxide and contamination from the surface of the PCB and leads of the electronic components. This will help better soldering.
4. No Clean Liquid Solder Flux: This will help to remove any oxide from the surface of the Board and the Leads of electronic components.
5. Other consumables that may be needed are Desoldering wick, desoldering pump, PCB holder, conductive pen, flux pen, cleaning sponge etc.

Safety and Precaution

While soldering, there are some safety measures to follow to avoid any damage and injury:

• Never touch the tip or bit of the hot soldering iron. Temperature of the tip can be as high as 500 degree Celsius that can lead to serious burn and injury.
• When not using the soldering iron, always keep it on the iron stand or iron holder.
• Avoid breathing in the fume or smoke during soldering. Use a smoke absorber while soldering.
• When soldering is done, always wash your hand properly.

Preparation of Soldering Iron

1. Always keep a piece of wet solder cleaning sponge on the iron stand.
2. Place the soldering iron on its holder or stand and switch ON the plug in the power cord.
3. Switch ON the power of the Iron or the Soldering Station.
4. Wait for few seconds while the desired temperature is reached.
5. Put some solder wire at the tip of the iron. If the wire melts immediately then it means that the iron is ready for soldering.
6. Clean the tips of the soldering iron with wet cleaning sponge before and after soldering.
7. When soldering is done, clean the tip using the cleaning sponge and leave some solder on the tip. This will prevent the tip from oxidation and increase its life.

How to Solder

1. Hold the soldering iron like a pen near the handle base. Make sure not to touch the tip or the metal part as they are too hot.
2. Place the electronic component at the desire place. Apply some solder flux.
3. Bring down solder wire and soldering iron tip together to the point where the component lead and the Copper Track of the PCB meets. Melt enough solder at the junction. Make sure there is no bridging.
4. Soldering should be shiny and well shaped. If you are using lead-free solder then the soldering may not look shiny even if the soldering has been done properly.
5. Do not touch the PCB track with hot iron for too long. Remove the iron as soon as the solder melts.

I hope now you know the proper way of how to solder by hand like a professional. Do share your thoughts and ideas via comments.

Also Read

• PCB Holder / PCB Stand for Mobile Cell Phone Repairing
• Solder Wire for Mobile Phone Repairing
• Thinner / PCB Cleaner / IPA for Mobile Phone Repairing
• Jumper Wire for Mobile Phone Repairing
• Hot Air Blower for Mobile Phone Repairing
• Digital Multimeter Guide and Tutorial with Instructions on How to Use a Digital Multi Meter