The 9 Essentials for Microsoldering

If you're new to the world of microsoldering, I want to help you get started by going over what I've found to be the most essential tools. After almost a year of (trying) to repair consoles, these are the 9 things I use on almost every repair. Below are affiliate links to everything I talk about should you decide to look into them more.

The 9 Essentials + 1 (affiliate links):

00:00 Intro
00:50 Soldering Station
04:03 Hot Air Station
06:35 Desk
07:18 Solder
07:49 Flux
08:27 Solder Wick
09:34 IPA
10:18 Tweezers
10:59 Microscope

[borrtube]

You should have at least an inexpensive Multimeter as your first tool for any electronics soldering! This is useful to make sure that the soldering you are doing has conductivity where it is expected and not shorting other unexpected conductors. One of the first tools I utilize in electronics troubleshooting is the multimeter. You will also need a good set of assorted shapes and sizes of hex driver bits to be able to get to the PCBs where the electronics soldering will take place.

[rongray]

The fairly expensive microscope arms that NF guy sells is very solid and works great. Buy once, cry once.

[jimvashro]

Thanks for your list of 10 things for micro-soldering. I have been soldering for over 60 years and now find the need/desire to be able to work with SMDs. I had thought of all the items you mention with the exception of fume extraction, I always had some type of reaction to rosin core solder... Good idea to extract it. Being of limited means, I appreciate your running the gamut of tools and I am investigating what can support the basic needs to micro-solder, Thanks again

[weepme]

You also need to pick up Dental picks, Vacuum Pen for removing chips, and low melt solder, essential to ground yourself with a ESD wrist strap

[gtx.blackeaglelive]

I would like to ask you about these links you added below, can I order them and if the prices are still the same, please answer me. I live in Greece.👍

[zerotrustcartel]

That "better than factory" reminds me of NorthridgeFix. 😅

[ronrader]

When doing hot air station soldering, do you keep your board elevated or can you lay it on a piece of metal for example. I was concerned if I just lay my board on a plate to work on it that it'll absorb my heat from the board.

[tnug]

I feel the hot air station is definitely nice but not necessary if you know how to use a butane torch (note the butane torch is very hot and requires a Fair amount of practice to get good results). The addition of hot tweezers makes removing surface mount component's alot easier and faster.

[omicah]

Thanks a lot man. This was very helpful

[striker]

I would suggest thermal camera. With regards to multimeter even a cheap multimeter will do

[takmk]

I want to change my soldering + desoldering + hot air stations with Hakko but my wallet disagrees with me everytime I try to XD That plus having them here in Europe it's a bit more difficult given that we don't have that many distributors.
+1 to "flux is just magic, it helps too much while soldering to even try to understand why as a mere mortal" :D
I guess I have the worst solder wick that exists because I haven't been able to use it at all; it just never gets solder attached to it... :(
I tried a microscope (an Andonstar one) but I hated when the "pillar" of it was in the middle always and the "base" of it was too small... so in the end I returned it (and bought an oscilloscope... And for microsoldering I use one of those glasses with magnifiers that you could put on them; not the best, but works for me I guess. I'll try buying one like yours that I could put away with an arm and connect it to the monitor, I think it'll be the best option.

[neilritchiecaguioa]

You can use cheaper HotAir Station, Just use Low Temperature Soldering Lead, It will remove easy

[anthonysunay]

Actually you can remove surface mount ics and other components with a gas soldering iron with the hot air tip no need for a soldering hot air station

[barnyardstory]

Fume extractor should be 2 or 3 on that list, especially if you're using lead solder. That is bad $hit to breath.

[jackipiegg]

6:20
TBH the main difference of your choice is "fan in nozzle" vs "air pump in machine". "Air pump in machine" cheap ones are relatively affordable, below $100 AND will do thick boards just as well.
You just didn't do your research when you got the cheap station lol, just add $20 or 30 is the difference between the fan nozzle type.

Also 3:57 is a bad idea in 2024, there's a bunch of cheap irons built in that support JBC c115/c210 cartridge.
Get that instead of ancient T12.

[Georgeofthejunglee]

Solder iron
ipa
Flux
Soldering station
Twezer
Thats about it, be a man.