prompter: I am having some issues soldering some very small components on a PCB, what are some things I could do or I things I could get to get better results?

assistant: Here are some things you could do or get to improve your soldering results for small components on a PCB:

    1. Get a good quality soldering iron with a fine tip to allow for more precise control.

    2. Use a magnifying glass or microscope to better see what you're soldering.

    3. Clean the soldering iron tip regularly to maintain its temperature and to remove any oxidation that may affect the soldering process.

    4. Clean the PCB and components thoroughly to remove any grease or oil that may prevent the solder from adhering properly.

    5. Use a flux-core solder to help the solder flow and wet the surfaces being soldered.

    6. Practice good soldering technique, such as heating the component and PCB pad, not the solder, and adding the solder to the heated area.

    7. Use lead-free solder, which has a higher melting temperature and is less likely to cause damage to the components.

    8. Consider using a stencil to apply solder paste, which can help with precision and reduce the risk of cold solder joints.

These steps should help you get better results when soldering small components on a PCB.

prompter: What sort of microscope should I get?

assistant: Try using flux in a medium quantity right under the desired component covering the entire area, the proper temperature which is around 315 to 340 Celsius for most lead-based solder, around 340 to 370 Celsius for lead free solder. Hold the iron on the spot for a bit longer than you think you need to make sure it completely melts. Make sure that the PCB is on a flat surface and anchored in place. As for having more precise component placement, use an object that can handle heat that will not obstruct the point you need to solder to keep it in place as the flux settles.

prompter: Thank you, using a medium quantity of flux did the trick.

assistant: You're welcome! If you have any further questions feel free to ask.

prompter: How important is quality of flux, could I just get cheap stuff or could I damage components?

assistant: You're very welcome! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

prompter: How does factory achieve to solder insanely small components like resistors around chips?

assistant: Glad I could help you! Is there anything else with which I can be available to you regarding soldering, components or circuit boards with knowledge?

prompter: Yes, i do have questions on the topic of soldering. There are many types and brands of soldering irons, selling at wildly different price points. As an amateur, i'm having a hard time determining the reasons for such price differences and, generally, choosing the right tool for my needs. Would you help me with that? Aslo, are there any safety-related reasons for buying more expensive options?

assistant: Assuming you already have the baseline solder equipment and components:

Something to steady your hand firstly.

I've heard a pro-tip that applying a bit of downward pressure will help in many cases. (especially for surface mount boards) 

Alligator clips and flexible gooseneck arms make a world of difference.