The biggest one being that you can customise it to fit your needs which will also help you save money as you will only be buying components that you need.

If you haven’t built a computer before, it might seem like a daunting task and you might have a million questions, like what tools you might need to build it.

Be rest assured building a computer does not require a bachelor’s degree or fancy tools.

But, do you need a soldering iron to build a computer?

No, you do not need a soldering iron when you are going to build a computer. Computer parts are designed to snap into place without the need of a soldering iron. A tool that will come in handy when you are going to build a computer will be a screwdriver, as certain parts will need to be screwed in. 

Why you do not need a soldering iron to build a computer

Let’s take a look closer at the process of what is involved in building a computer which will help you understand why a soldering iron is not needed. 

Maybe you are creating the ultimate gaming computer, or maybe you just need to build a computer with the basics so you can save money.

Whatever your reason, the process of building one is the same. 

Main components of a computer

Before you start assembling a computer you are going to need the components that make up the anatomy of a computer.

Below are the common components that you will need to build a computer;

• Case
• Power supply
• Motherboard 
• CPU (Central processing unit)
• RAM
• Graphics card
• Hard Drive
• Display and Peripherals (Computer screen, Mouse, Keyboard etc)
• Operating system

Each of the parts mentioned above are pieces of a puzzle that make up the entirety of the computer. Omitting either one of them from the build will end in your computer not working or not functioning as it should.

Also these components come in a variety of specifications which plays a role in the performance of the computer.

So, why don’t you need a soldering iron for these components to build the computer?

The great news for you, me and everyone else on their journey of building a computer is that the individual components of a computer come assembled for us. 

The main component of the computer is the Motherboard. This is the main board where all other components get placed.

The beauty is in how the motherboard as well as the other components are designed so that no soldering iron is needed.

To better understand this, let’s take a closer look at the motherboard and one of the components that gets placed onto the motherboard.

Below is what a motherboard looks like.

In the picture you can see arrows pointing at many different slots/sockets in the motherboard. 

The slots come empty when you unpack the motherboard. 

What are these slots for? 

As you saw earlier, there are many components that make a computer. The motherboard is the main board that all the other components (RAM, Graphics card, power supply etc) get connected to. 

So, the slots are designed specifically for each component.

Now let’s take a closer look at one of those components, in this case a RAM chip as seen below.

You can see the RAM chip is created so that it can slot into one of the designated slots of the motherboard. They have circuitry at the ends which when connected to a slot become part of the motherboard circuitry.

The components are placed into the socket by applying a force (a gentle one of course), and snap together like LEGO.  

This is why you do not require a soldering iron when you build a computer. 

What tools will you need to build a computer if no soldering iron is needed

But, surely building a computer isn’t just snapping things together and will require some tools, right?

Yes, you will need some certain tools.

The tools, along with other materials that will come in handy in the build of a computer include;

• Screwdriver
• Cable Cutter or Scissors
• Cable ties

Screwdriver – No matter what the build, a screwdriver will most likely be needed, as there will be screws involved. Building a computer is no different. There are many instances when screws are used to secure things in place, like the motherboard to the mounting holes on the case. So, have a screwdriver as part of your arsenal.

Cable tie – There are a lot of wires involved in the build of a computer. Things can get messy fast. Trust me! While not entirely necessary, cable ties will save you a lot of stress by managing those wires and making things tidy. I strongly suggest them. 

Cable cutter / Scissors – All these parts are going to come in some sort of protective packaging that always seems to be easy to pry open with your hands but prove otherwise. Scissors will give you the ability to slice through the packaging with ease. 

Also, if you are using cable ties, cutting the excess with scissors is near impossible. A pair of cable cutters will be a much better option for the job. 

When you might need a soldering iron when you build a computer

While a soldering iron is not needed, there might be possible scenarios where you might need it to lend a helping hand. 

Life throws curve balls at us now and then and sometimes things do not always go as planned. 

It is very rare, but sometimes wires do break, or come loose from their connections. 

Having a soldering iron will be beneficial to fixing these issues as re-soldering will be needed. 

But, to reiterate, it is very rare for this to happen, so have no fear, you do not have to go and invest in an expensive soldering iron to rectify this issue.

If you do come across something that is broken, or come loose from its connection and do have a soldering iron, contact the manufacturer and let them know that there is an issue. 

They will either send you replacement parts or will have their technicians rectify the problem for you.

However, if you do have a soldering iron, and are skilled enough to sort the issue out by yourself, do so.

The post Do you need a soldering iron to build a computer? appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

But, do not be fooled by its size, this little board has the same capabilities of a desktop computer. 

A raspberry pi is essentially a small sized computer that you can connect to a computer monitor/ Television screen and operate it using a standard mouse and keyboard. 

It is a great way to learn about the world of computing, as well as programming using languages such as Scratch and Python. 

This board comes ready to use not requiring much physical setup.

But, do you need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi?

No, you do not need a soldering for a raspberry pi. When starting out using the raspberry pi for simple projects that do not require a lot of inputs or outputs, you will not need a soldering iron. Also, you can set up circuits on a breadboard which again does not require a soldering iron. 

However, there are certain instances when you might need a soldering iron as well as the skill of soldering. 

If you are using the Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W, these two types of boards will require a soldering iron. As well as when your projects get a bit more advanced and include more inputs/outputs like buttons, lights, sensors etc. 

Reasons why you do not need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi

If you are just starting out on your journey with the raspberry pi, you might have plenty of questions and concerns as to what you need.

One of those questions is if you need a soldering iron. 

Here are a couple of reasons why you will not need a soldering iron if you are just starting out with a raspberry pi.

Reason #1 why you do not need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi: No physical setup required

If you have ever had the misfortune of having to assemble something when you buy it, like a dining table, or computer desk, you know how frustrating it can be.

It may look like an easy process, but it never goes as planned.

The less you have to do for setting up the better!

Lucky for you and me, if you have just acquired a Raspberry Pi, there isn’t any physical setup required. 

This means that you will not need a soldering iron when you first unbox your raspberry pi before using it.

All components and header pins are already soldered.

However, the raspberry pi does require some software setup. But, this is a less annoying process than having to solder.

Reason #2 why you do not need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi: Less complex projects

We all have to learn to crawl before we walk. 

I’m sure you have heard this many times before. 

Whether you are learning how to skateboard, play the guitar or program a raspberry pi, learning the fundamentals is key to building a solid foundation.

When you start out with the raspberry pi, the projects that you will be learning will mostly be software based and will not require many inputs/outputs. 

Therefore you will not need a soldering iron in the early stages of learning and creating with the raspberry pi. 

Connecting components to a raspberry pi without a soldering iron

What if you get to the stage where you need to connect some inputs and outputs so you can interface with the outside world? 

Will you need a soldering iron then?

No, even if you do need interface inputs and outputs to the raspberry pi you will not need a soldering iron.

The raspberry pi has 40 dedicated General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) header pins where electronic inputs and outputs can be connected to without the need of a soldering iron.

Connecting electronic components to the raspberry will require a few other things;

• Breadboard
• Female-Male jumper wires. 

Breadboard – a breadboard is a tool used to help set up temporary circuits during the prototyping phase of your project. 

Electronic components, inputs, outputs etc, can be connected to the breadboard without the need of a soldering iron. 

Female-Male jumper wires – You will need a way to connect the raspberry pi GPIO pins to the breadboard. Since the header pins are male, you will need a female to male jumper wire.

When you might need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi

While you can get away with no using a soldering iron in the early stages of using a raspberry pi, there will come a time when you will need one. 

As you get better, the projects you will undertake with your raspberry pi are going to get a bit more complex requiring many more wires, components, inputs and outputs. 

Also, using a breadboard is good for prototyping initial ideas but, if you need to create more permanent fixtures, the breadboard is not really ideal.

So, there is a point in time when a soldering iron might come in handy. 

Below are some possible scenarios where you will need a soldering iron when using a raspberry pi. 

Scenario #1 when you might need a soldering iron for your raspberry pi: Soldering wires to components

As mentioned earlier, as you advance in skill, the projects you undertake are going to get a bit more complex and require a variety of electronic components. 

While some of these components can be placed onto a breadboard without any hassle, there are going to be certain inputs and outputs that will have terminals that are a bit too big for the breadboard. 

To combat this, wires will need to be soldered to their terminals to make it easier to connect to the breadboard.

Sure you could twist the wire, but from experience this can get quite annoying as a permanent electrical bond is not created. 

Also, you might need to extend some sensors, or buttons away from the breadboard which will require soldering on longer wires. 

So opt for soldering them. 

Scenario #2 when you might need a soldering iron for your raspberry pi: Permanent stable setup

Say you are designing a project that has a lot of motion. The raspberry pi and other circuitry are going to undergo some forces. 

These forces could cause connections to come loose when they are set up on a breadboard (as the breadboard is designed more for temporary setups).

To avoid this, you will need a more permanent stable setup.

A Stripboard (or veroboard), is a premade circuit board with copper tracks where you can set up a more stable circuit. 

You will need a soldering iron to solder components onto the veroboard. 

Which type of raspberry pi might need a soldering iron

When it comes to the raspberry pi, you are not limited to one board.

Over the years the company has developed many different boards that vary in speed, weight, memory, Inputs/Outputs, networking and more.

Each type of raspberry pi will have its own advantages for different applications. So choosing the right raspberry pi comes down to the application as well your skill level.

The Raspberry Pi Model A and B are the boards you will typically use when you start out so you won’t need a soldering iron as you can set up circuits using its pre-soldered header pins and a breadboard.

However, there are two models of the raspberry pi that will require a soldering iron.They are the Raspberry Pi Zero and the Raspberry Pi Zero W models. 

This is because they do not come pre-soldered with header pins. 

So, header pins will have to be soldered onto them. 

Do you need an expensive soldering iron for a raspberry pi?

So, you can get away with not using a soldering iron when starting out. 

However, as you saw above there are certain scenarios where the soldering iron can lend a helping hand. 

But, do you need an expensive soldering iron?

No, you will not need an expensive soldering when using a raspberry pi as there isn’t a lot of soldering involved. 

Saying that, I wouldn’t recommend buying the cheapest soldering iron you get your hands on. Cheap soldering irons do not provide an even heat source to melt solder.

There are soldering irons which bridge the gap between quality and price which will a better option. 

Final thoughts

I hope this article shed some light on whether you need a soldering iron for a raspberry pi.

• If you are starting out your journey with the raspberry pi, you will not need a soldering iron as you can set up circuits using a breadboard, and jumper wires.

• When you advance in your skill, and your projects get a bit more complex, a soldering iron will come in handy especially when you need a more permanent stable circuit setup.

• Also, the Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi Zero W will need a soldering iron as its header pins do not come soldered.

• You do not need an expensive soldering iron.

The post Do you need a soldering iron for raspberry pi? appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

You might have heard of these two terms before. 

But, are they interchangeable? 

While very similar, they do have their differences as both the processes are used to join metals together. 

Welding bonds two pieces of metal by melting them together, whereas Soldering uses a filler bonding material known as Solder to bond two or more pieces of metal together.

But, can you weld with a soldering iron? Using a soldering iron to weld depends on the application. If you do not require a high mechanical bond between the metals then using soldering iron is just fine. 

However, if you require a strong bond between the two metals, using a soldering iron to weld will not be applicable as the soldering iron will not provide a strong enough bond between the metals. 

It all comes down to the application where you will be using the soldering iron to weld. I will discuss these in more detail in this article. 

What is involved when you weld

To understand when soldering can be used to weld and when it cannot, it will help to understand the two processes a bit better. 

Let’s start with Welding.

Welding is the process where two pieces of metal are fused together using high heat and pressure. 

While mostly used with metals, welding can also be used with thermoplastics and wood. 

It can be performed outdoors, indoors (in certain areas), underwater as well as outer space!

How are metals joined together when you weld?

Welding uses high temperatures (up to 3500°C / 6332°F) in order to melt the metals which are then fused together. In some instances, there is a filler material used to help with the bond.

The pieces of metal that are joined together and known as Parent Material. 

The molten pool of the two parent materials when cooled, can be stronger than the individual materials themselves. 

Not all metals can be welded though. 

Weldability defines how easy or difficult it is to weld certain metals. The easier the process is involved in welding, it is said to have high Weldability. 

If the metals require special procedures like preheating, a specified heat input, controlled cooling, and postheating then they have low Weldability. 

Also, there are certain metals that just cannot be welded together. They include;

• Aluminum and Steel
• Aluminum and Copper
• Titanium and Steel

Different types of weld

Welding has been around for many years, and like most things has seen an evolution in its process in the 19th century.

Below are some of the most common welding processes;

• MIG Welding – Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
• TIG Welding – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Stick Welding – Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Flux Welding – Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Energy Beam Welding (EBW)
• Atomic Hydrogen Welding (AHW)
• Gas Tungsten- Arc Welding
• Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)

Unfortunately there isn’t a single welding machine able to perform each of these processes. Each of these processes requires a certain type of welding machine which can include; 

• Mig (metal inert gas) welding machines.
• Thyristor Control Mig welding machines.
• Tig welding machines.
• Spot welding machines.
• Shielded metal arc welding machines.

Common applications where you weld

Welding is a process used in many applications.

It can be used to make a fence in your home or used to build a tall skyscraper. 

The applications are endless. Below are some of the most common.

• Shipbuilding
• Automotive
• Construction
• Mechanical
• Sheet metal welding
• Fabrication
• Aerospace and Aircraft construction 
• Railroads

A deeper look at soldering

Now we have seen what is involved when you weld, let’s take a closer look at soldering.

Soldering is the process of joining two pieces of metal using a filler material known as Solder. 

Unlike welding, soldering does not melt the metals that are going to be connected together. It relies on the Solder to create a strong bond between them.

The solder is usually a metal alloy made of Tin(Sn) and Lead(Pb).

Soldering is most commonly used in the Electrical and Electronic industry for joining wires and components to Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). 

The main purpose being to create an electrical bond so that current can flow freely. 

How metals are connected when soldering

The process of soldering uses a tool known as a Soldering Iron, to melt the filler material (Solder), when connecting two conducting materials.

A soldering iron can be heated to temperatures up to 400°C (752°F). 

The temperature at which the soldering iron is set to, depends on the melting point of the solder and not of the metals being connected together. 

The metals (wires, components etc), are first placed together. The solder is then positioned at the intersection of the metals while simultaneously applying heat using the soldering iron. 

Once the solder cools, it creates a strong electrical and mechanical bond. 

With welding, you have many different types available. However, there is only one type of soldering and almost always uses a soldering iron. 

What metals can be soldered

Just like welding, not all metal types can be soldered. There is a limited range.

Also, the bond between the two pieces of metal depends on the solder being used. So, depending on the parent metals, the right solder alloy composition will have to be chosen. 

The common metals that can used in the soldering process are;

• Gold
• Silver
• Copper
• Brass
• Iron

Common applications of soldering

I mentioned earlier that soldering is most commonly associated with the electrical and electronic field. 

But, it is not restricted to just that. It has many applications which include;

• Jewelry repair
• Automotive
• Arts and crafts
• Plumbing
• Stained glass work
• Sheet metal work
• Computers

When you can weld using a soldering iron

Ok, so we’ve covered what is involved when you weld, and when you solder. 

I briefly mentioned at the start that using a soldering iron to weld really depends on the application. Let’s dive deeper and really understand what that means. 

Since both processes involve joining pieces of metals, you cannot be blamed for thinking they are interchangeable. 

But, of the two processes, welding creates a stronger mechanical bond.

So, if you need to use a soldering iron to weld, you will need to be aware that the bond created will not be as strong.

A note to be made is that if you use a soldering iron to weld, you are not welding, you are soldering.

The end result is going to be a bond that is less stronger.

For structures that are smaller in nature, and have less loads placed on them, soldering would be fine. 

Things like metal sculptures, plumbing, jewelry repair etc. Using welding in these applications would be overkill.

Also, using a soldering iron to weld comes is more advantageous when using non-ferrous metals such as copper and brass are being connected

When you cannot weld using a soldering iron

Imagine you are constructing a building that requires a very strong foundation as it will be subject to forces and stresses from things like weather and humans. 

Using a soldering iron to weld the structure would not be a great idea.

You need links between metals beams that can withstand these high forces and stresses, so welding would be the most suitable process to use. 

Also, if there are high temperatures involved, welding again is the better option as the solder has a lower melting point and the bond will be broken when temperatures exceed the solder’s melting point. 

I have learnt this from experience! 

So, the rule of thumb is to not use a soldering iron to weld when high forces, stresses and temperatures are placed on the bond between two pieces of metal. 

Advantages using a soldering iron to weld

If your application allows for you to use a soldering iron to weld, then it might be more advantageous.

This is because using a soldering iron is cheaper, has a faster learning curve, is smaller (so can be stored easier), can be done indoors (in your bedroom), only needs one kind of soldering iron, and requires less to set up.

But, again this only depends if you can actually substitute soldering for welding which is determined by the application.

Are they any other alternatives other than soldering if you cannot weld?

Brazing is another process that is used to join two pieces of metal (but not limited to just metals as ceramics can be joined as well).

Similar to Soldering, a filler material (known as the braze alloy) is used to join the metals.

The temperatures involved with brazing are above 450°C (842°F), so it sits in the middle of soldering and welding.

Similar to welding, the metals being ‘brazed’ together should be similar in composition to allow for a smoother and stronger bond. 

So, this can be another alternative if you need to weld and do not have the equipment necessary to weld. 

The post Can you weld with a soldering iron? appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

It is predominantly used in Electronics and Electrical applications to solder components to Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s) or joining electrical wires.

But, soldering irons are used for many other applications that include Jewelry, joining stained glass and wood burning (for design purposes).

The main purpose of a soldering iron is to melt the solder. 

However, sometimes the soldering iron might have problems melting the solder. 

So, what could be the issues that can prevent a soldering iron from melting solder?

Below are some possible problems:

• Heating element of soldering iron broken
• Soldering iron temperature not hot enough
• Soldering iron has not had enough time to heat up. Also, sometimes the soldering iron plug is not plugged into electrical outlet properly
• Low wattage soldering iron (especially cheaper soldering iron)
• Tip has been oxidized
• Using the wrong solder

For a more detailed explanation for each reason read on.

I will also highlight ways to fix the issue, as well as how you can avoid this happening again.

How a soldering iron melts solder

Before we dive into the details of why your soldering iron is not melting solder, it will help to have a quick look at the different parts of a soldering iron.

While there are a wide variety of soldering irons that range in complexity, there are a handful of parts and components that each of them share.

Below is a list of the common parts of a soldering iron. 

• Cord
• Handle cover
• Handle
• Terminal Board
• Heating element
• Tip
• Tip enclosure

The two parts that we are concerned with are the Tip and the Heating Element, as these are the two main parts that could be the reason why the soldering iron is not melting the solder.

Heating Element – this part of the soldering has the job of heating the tip through the means of electricity.

Tip – The Tip is the part of the soldering iron that heats up and makes contact with the solder and surfaces to be adhered together. Soldering tips come in a range of sizes and shapes. 

6 reasons why your soldering iron is not melting solder

Ok, let us dive into the possible reasons a soldering iron is not melting solder. 

Reason #1 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Heating Element is broken 

So, we now know that the heating element of the soldering iron has the job of heating the tip which then melts the solder.

It is a crucial component as it converts electricity into high levels of heat. 

If for some reason the heating element has stopped working, it will not be able to heat up the tip and therefore will not be able to melt solder. 

Reason #2 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Not plugged in outlet properly 

This might seem like a silly reason why a soldering iron is not melting solder, but trust me it has happened to me many times.

It could be that you haven’t pushed the plug in far enough, or you possibly might have mistakenly knocked the plug causing it to not make full contact with the outlet.

If you notice that your soldering iron is not melting solder, first check to make sure that the power cord of your soldering iron is securely plugged into the electrical outlet. 

Many, if not all soldering irons have a status light (for safety purposes), that indicate that it has power. So another way to ensure there is a proper connection is to check that the status light is on. 

Reason #3 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Not enough time to heat up

It would be nice if a soldering iron could reach its maximum set temperature as soon as it’s powered on.

Unfortunately, this is not possible. A soldering iron takes time to reach its maximum temperature. Also, each soldering iron will have its own start-up time. 

So, if you are impatient like myself and try melting solder 10 seconds after powering the soldering iron, you might have some problems. 

Most manufacturers will specify how long it will take a soldering iron to reach a certain temperature which you can check and know how long you will have to wait for. 

If there are no specified times, you could always time how long it takes and eliminate any future anxieties.

Reason #4 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Wrong Solder

When it comes to the soldering process, there are typically three types of soldering ; Soft Soldering, Hard Soldering, and Brazing. 

Each of these types of soldering has its own specific application that it is used for. 

Also, each soldering process uses a specific solder that requires a certain temperature to be able to melt it. 

Soft soldering – typically uses temperatures between 90 – 450 °C ( 190 – 842 °F). The types of solder used tend to be an alloy that contain Tin and Lead. 

Hard Soldering – uses temperatures that are greater than 450 °C (842 °F). This type of soldering uses solder that is either Brass or Silver. Blowtorches are used to reach these high temperatures to melt the solder. 

Brazing – also uses temperatures that are greater than 450 °C (842 °F). It is very similar to hard soldering.

So, if you are using the process of soft soldering with solders that are used for hard soldering or brazing, your soldering iron will not be hot enough to reach those temperatures and melt the solder. 

Another issue could also be the thickness of the solder you are using. The thicker the solder the higher the temperature that is required to melt it. 

Reason #5 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Cheap soldering iron

Whether buying a new house, car, phone etc, we all want to save money and get the best bargain.

But, sometimes opting for the cheaper option can cause more harm than good. 

This holds very true for soldering irons. 

I had initially purchased a decent soldering iron which cost a decent amount. Unfortunately, it decided to call it quits after serving me for many years. 

Being the cheapskate that I am, I decided to buy a cheap soldering iron which has caused me many problems.

It takes a long time to heat up, does not get hot enough, has bad heat distribution and oxidises far too quickly.

So, to avoid these problems, fork out some cash and invest in good quality soldering iron. 

Reason #6 A soldering iron is not melting solder: Oxidation 

The last and most likely cause that your soldering iron is not melting solder is because the soldering iron tip has been oxidised. 

You will know when your soldering iron has been oxidised when the tip turns black.

Oxidation of a soldering iron happens when the iron plating of the tip becomes iron oxide. This process happens naturally with the metal used. 

It happens at room temperature at a very slow rate, but the heat of the soldering iron speeds up the process.

I will highlight how to reverse this process, as well as avoid it below.  

How to fix a soldering iron that is not melting solder

Just knowing the reasons why a soldering iron is not melting solder is quite redundant. Knowing how to reverse or fix the problem will be beneficial as well.

Also, having a plan on how to avoid this happening in the future will save you time, money and stress. 

The solution obviously depends on the problem. So, you will first need to identify what problem your soldering is having. 

Below are possible solutions to the reasons that a soldering is not melting solder as well as ideas how to avoid them happening in the future. Some of them are pretty self explanatory, but I thought I’d still give my input. 

Heating Element Broke – If your soldering iron tip isn’t black (not oxidised), is plugged in properly, has had enough time to heat up, and you are using the right solder, the heating element of the soldering iron is probably broken.

Unless you are comfortable with opening up your soldering iron and seeing what is wrong with the heating element, I recommend you take your soldering iron to a professional who can fix or replace the heating element for you.

Possible issues why a soldering iron heating element might stop working could be that water could have seeped in and short circuited it. 

To avoid this, do not use the soldering iron around water, or moist areas. 

Soldering iron cord not plugged properly – The best way to fix this problem is to plug the soldering iron cord back into the power outlet.

Here are some tips on how to prevent this problem from recurring. 

If the soldering iron cord is placed in a path where people walk by regularly, it is going to increase the chances of someone tripping on the cord (which is a safety hazard in itself), and disconnecting the soldering iron’s cord from the power outlet.

So, place the cord out of the path of constant foot traffic. 

If your soldering iron is placed on a desk but the power outlet is higher or lower, this can be an issue when connecting the power cord (especially if the soldering iron has a shorter power cord).

If the cord has no slack and has to reach awkward angles it is not going to make a proper connection with the power outlet. 

Where possible try to connect your soldering iron power cord to a power outlet that is not too far away, and allow for some slack in the soldering iron power cord. 

Not enough time to heat up – Fixing this problem requires a bit of patience ( I know sometimes it is hard!)

But, to avoid rushing to use the soldering iron before it has heated up, time how long it takes your soldering iron to reach the temperature where it starts to melt solder. 

That way next time you turn it on you will know exactly how long it will take eliminating your frustrations. 

Wrong solder – Buying the right type of solder for the soldering application will rectify this issue.

You will first need to know what kind of soldering you are doing (Soft, Hard or Brazing). Then accordingly when you are buying solder, you will have to check what kind of soldering applications it is used for and its melting temperatures. 

Also, try buying solder that is smaller in diameter which is easier to melt. 

Cheap soldering iron – Buy a good quality soldering iron! 

Oxidation – If your soldering iron is heating up and still not melting solder, oxidation has most likely occurred to the tip of the soldering iron (you might notice this visually as the soldering iron tip will be black). 

To fix this issue scrape or sand off the oxide off the tip (while it is off) using an exacto knife or 800 grit sandpaper till it has regained its shine. 

Once the tip is shiny, give it a good coat of flux (if you have some. If you don’t that is fine just skip this step), and turn the soldering iron on. Once the soldering iron has heated up, coat the tip with some solder. 

If for some reason you cannot reverse the oxidation process, you might have to replace the tip of your soldering iron.

Below are some good practices to follow to avoid oxidation of the soldering iron tip. 

• Do not leave your soldering iron idle for long periods of time . If you are not using it for more than 15 mins, turn it off. 
• Avoid high temperatures (340 – 380°C) (644 – 716 °F)
• After every use, wipe the soldering iron on a wet sponge, then coat the tip with solder. Do this before turning it off as well.

The post 6 reasons your soldering iron is not melting solder appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

It is an open-source hardware and software company that manufactures many different single board microcontroller kits.

Different Arduino boards use a variety of microcontrollers, and include input/output pins as well. 

You might be considering getting yourself one and are wondering do you need a soldering iron for the Arduino? The Arduino is a development board that comes ready to use, with all components already soldered on, so you do not require a soldering iron for an Arduino. It is a plug and play device that is ready to use straight out the box. 

It has male and female header pins that allow you to connect expansion boards, and shields to further enhance its capabilities.

However, there are instances where you might need a soldering iron for the Arduino. While not essential, it can come handy in some places. I will discuss these later in the article. 

Reasons why an Arduino does not need a soldering iron

You might be just getting started in the field of electronics, or you might be a seasoned veteran who wants to get your hands on an Arduino. 

However, you might be concerned whether you need  a soldering iron when it comes to using the Arduino.

If you do not have a soldering iron, be rest assured as you will be able to use the Arduino to its fullest capabilities without needing to use the soldering iron. 

Reason #1 why an Arduino does not need a soldering iron: It comes assembled for you

You might be familiar with electronic kits that come disassembled, and you need to solder all these components to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Unlike those electronic kits that come disassembled, an Arduino comes assembled for you. All the components come pre soldered onto the PCB

As you can see below, all the components have already been populated on the PCB.

It is a plug and play device that can be used straight out of the box, which saves you the hassle of going through the process of soldering which can be quite annoying as you might just want to get started working on your project.

Reason #2 why an Arduino does not need a soldering iron: Male and Female header pins 

The Arduino is a development board that comes packed with many different functions and capabilities which include Serial Communication, Analog to Digital Conversion, Digital and Analog input/outputs etc.

But, how do you interface inputs and outputs with the Arduino without a soldering iron?

The great thing about the Arduino is that it has male and female header pins that allow you to connect inputs and outputs without needing to have to use a soldering iron.

Much like a breadboard, which has holes for you to plug components into for quick prototyping, the Arduino has these header pins that allow you to interface input/outputs quickly and easily. 

Reason #3 why an Arduino does not need a soldering iron: DC plug for power

What about powering up the Arduino? Do you need to solder a connection onto the board to power it up?

No. The Arduino has three ways that it can be powered without needing a soldering iron. The three ways you can power it are:

• DC Power Jack ( 7- 12V)
• USB connector (5V)
• Vin female header pin (7 – 12V)

All these connections are already present on the Arduino Board and do not need any sort of soldering. 

As well as having dedicated ports for power, the Arduino has a port (USB) for programming it as well.

Are they any versions of the Arduino board that need a soldering iron?

Arduinos come in a variety of shapes, sizes and specifications. Depending on your expertise level and application need, there is an Arduino board that will suit your needs. 

They vary in Memory, Micrcontroller, Digital input/outputs, and analogue input/outputs.

Below are some of the most commonly used Arduino boards today.

• Arduino Uno
• Arduino Due
• Arduino Mega
• Arduino Leonardo
• Arduino Micro
• Arduino Nano

All these versions of the Arduino come with components soldered, so you do not need a soldering iron. 

However, there is a note to be made. When buying an Arduino board, you have the option of buying one without any male headers. In this instance, you will need a soldering iron to solder these header pins.

Do you need a soldering iron for expansion boards/shields of an Arduino?

While the standard Arduino board is capable of many functions, sometimes it lacks certain abilities. 

The good news is that this is not the end of the story. Arduinos can upgrade their capabilities using something known as Arduino Shields.

Arduino Shields are boards that ‘expand’ the functionalities of a standard Arduino.

Below is a list of the most common Arduino Shields:

• Ethernet Shield (allows the Arduino to connect to the internet)
• Relay Shield (gives Arduino ability to control high voltages)
• Motor Shield (control motors with ease)
• LCD shield (add a display to your next project with a Liquid Crystal Display)
• Capacitive touchpad shield (add a capacitive touch interface to your project)
• Smoke detector shield (need to detect a gas or smoke, this is your shield)
• 64 button shield (add up to 64 buttons to your shield)

There are many more shields available, but here are some common ones.

These shields come assembled just like the standard Arduino. It has male header pins which slot into the Arduino board’s female header pins. So no soldering is necessary.

Scenarios where you might need a soldering iron for an Arduino

I have mentioned why you do not need to use a soldering iron for an Arduino. 

However, there are some scenarios when you might need a soldering iron. 

Scenario #1 when you might need a soldering iron for an Arduino: No headers

When buying an Arduino board, you have the option of buying it with or without headers. 

While the price difference is not that much, the Arduino board without headers is a cheaper option. So, you might opt to choose one without headers as you have some lying around at home. 

In this scenario you will need to solder the headers onto the Arduino Board. 

Scenario #2 when you might need a soldering iron for an Arduino: Replace components that are not working

We all want things to go perfectly with no problems. 

However, things are not perfect. Sometimes you might have components on an Arduino board that stop working and need replacing. 

To replace these parts, you will need a soldering iron and use a process known as ‘desoldering’. 

Scenario #3 when you might need a soldering iron for an Arduino: Protoshield

I have talked about shields that enhance the capabilities of a standard Arduino. There are many different shields available for different applications.

You might want to create your own custom shield that enhances the Arduino according to your needs and specifications. 

This is where the Protoshield comes in. It is a board where you can create your own custom circuit on. It is great for prototyping and testing ideas you may have.

In this instance you will need a soldering iron to solder components onto the protoshield. 

Scenario #4 when you might need a soldering iron for an Arduino: Connecting external components

As you now know, the Arduino has female headers pins where you can connect external input and output components such as LED’s, buttons, motors, sensors etc.

Most of the time you can connect these input/outputs with no issue as they have leads that can plug into the female header pins. 

But, sometimes you might want to extend the leads of these input/outputs so you are not restricted to placing them on the Arduino.

Here you will need a soldering iron to solder wires to extend the leads of the components so you can place them away from the Arduino.

Do i need an expensive soldering iron for an Arduino?

You might not have a soldering iron and have run into one of the scenarios above where you need a soldering for an Arduino.

So, you might be wondering if you need an expensive soldering iron to do the job.

If money is not an issue for you, it is advisable to get a decent soldering which will cost a bit. This is because it will benefit you in the long run. 

A decent soldering iron will have a range of temperatures and provide good heat at the tip of the soldering iron that will make the soldering process much easier.

However, I myself have got a $30 soldering iron that I have owned for years and it has done the job just fine.

Due to the fact that an Arduino does not really require a soldering iron, you can get yourself a cheaper one which will be just fine.

How do you connect external components to the Arduino without a soldering iron?

If you have many components to connect to the arduino and are cramped for space, you can use a breadboard along with jumper wires.

You can place the components on the breadboard, and use the jumper wires to make connections to the Arduino female header pins without the need for a soldering iron. 

There is also a breadboard shield (as seen below) that you can place on top of your Arduino.

Arduino Basics

Below is great video explaining the basics of an Arduino

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