Iron mighty
The soldering iron has come a long way from the days of a pencil you plug into the AC.
From cordless operation to temperature adjustment and induction heating, you're sure to find a soldering iron with the exact range of features you need.
What's the powerplant?
Curie-point heating is arguably the most advanced method of reaching operating temperature. It relies on electromagnetic induction, making the tip itself the heating element.
An 'ordinary' soldering iron simply uses an AC heating element to warm up the tip. They are designed to reach a preset temperature, and are available in various wattage ratings.
Cordless electronic models can be powered by either standard AA cells or a built-in rechargeable battery.
Butane-fuelled soldering irons have a catalytic heater in the head that ensures a more stable temperature than ordinary flame combustion. Many are supplied an interchangeable blowtorch head for a high-temperature flame up to 1300°C.
How do you tweak the heat?
Soldering stations allow temperature adjustment by regulating the power supplied to the heating element.
Analogue units are the simpler variety, often incorporating a variable power control (similar to a light dimmer) to select the temperature, and a thermostat to keep it constant.
Digital stations offer greater precision thanks to microprocessor control, and include an LED readout showing the tip temperature.
For a self-contained alternative, gas soldering irons have an adjustable throttle that adjusts the flow of fuel to the catalytic heater.
See below to learn more about soldering irons.