Soldering Iron Methods - The traditional tool for soldering is the soldering iron with a copper tip* which may be heated electrically or by oil, coke or gas flame. Electric irons may vary in size from a 15 watt iron used for printed circuits to a 500 watt iron used for large electrical equipment. Soldering iron tip is sometimes iron coated to minimize wear and solution by the solder.
The tip of the soldering iron stores and conducts heat from the heat source to the components being joined. It stores and conveys molten solder also. Soldering iron is a simple, efficient and inexpensive tool. Hand held irons are generally used when joints are few in number, when they can be made one at a time or when they are so varied that another method is not as versatile.
Soldering irons certainly are not limited to electrical soldering. Large cans and similar assemblies are also soldered. Soldering irons are particularly advantageous in applications where fire hazard prevents pouring molten solder over the work or the use of flame.
