Discussion
@Unixbigot / @s0 / @projectgus / @jpm / @abrasive any opinions on https://sparksoldering.com/?
This seems like it would actually let me solder.
(fedi needs like groups or topic tags so I can have #ElectronBotherers or something. No, subscribing to hashtags isn't good enough)
@voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @projectgus @jpm while everyone is here, what do people think of leaded vs. lead-free solder, particularly for beginners?
I switched from PbSn to SAC305 when I had a toddler in the house, just out of an abundance of caution. my understanding is that as long as you aren't chewing on it the health risks and waste stream of domestic PbSn use are negligible - and I certainly remember it being wayyyyyyy more forgiving (especially oxidising much slower). am I rose-tinting?
@abrasive @voltagex @Unixbigot @projectgus @jpm that’s my position. I still use leaded because I find it more reliable and effective and don’t solder at industrial levels.
@s0 @abrasive @voltagex @Unixbigot @projectgus Even though SnPb does work easier than other blends (except for maybe SnBi which you probably won't use outside of re-work), I try to avoid it given the kids in the house and the high toxicity. These days I'm usually working with paste on SMT components so there's little difference between using SnPb and SAC305 apart from the higher temperature required. For wire-work, I find Sn99Cu is easier to use than SAC305 wire.
@s0 @abrasive @voltagex @Unixbigot @projectgus The major factor is the flux core in solder wires. Use a touch extra flux and it gets much easier.
@voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @jpm @abrasive It looks interesting. However my experience is similar to abrasive's: the things I've found have helped me for soldering with a tremor have mostly been technique, practice, figuring out arm and wrist supports and the best way to orient the work, a beta blocker prescription, and accepting finished jobs that look terrible but work ok. 😆
@voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @jpm @abrasive A good iron does make a huge difference over an "ok" iron though, and there are big differences in how different ones feel to work with
@projectgus @voltagex @Unixbigot @jpm @abrasive a stabilisation system would be interesting to look at. Tiny flywheels??? Active gimbal setup?
@s0 @projectgus @voltagex @Unixbigot @abrasive Now I'm thinking something like a micro-surgical robot that translates gross movements into fine movements with a low-pass movement filter to remove tremors, but with a soldering iron on the end
@voltagex @s0 @projectgus @jpm @abrasive seems to be the same as these that have existed forever? Hand for some jobs, infuriating for others. I suppose if I had to use one for everything I could get better at it.
@Unixbigot this one appears to be no trigger, think mechanical pencil feeder @s0 @projectgus @jpm @abrasive
@voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @projectgus @abrasive yeah, electronic feed. From memory @timixretroplays was designing a solder feeder similar to this without the iron?
@jpm @voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @projectgus @abrasive yup, here's roughly where that got up to: https://digipres.club/@timixretroplays/116225424181996390
It's a pen you hold in the opposite hand to your soldering iron and two tactile buttons feed the solder out or back in.
Adam, maybe we should meet sometime and see if I can build you something useful?
@voltagex @Unixbigot @s0 @projectgus @abrasive cool if it works, would be nice if I could read the ᵀᶦⁿʸ ᵗᵉˣᵗ in the images though. I’d want more detail about the “integrated solder capsule” - is it refillable or a consumable? If it’s a consumable, how much for how much?
@jpm I would ask them if they weren't obscuring their company/contact details - in itself probably enough of a red flag for me not to touch this.
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