Stand for thin solder wire reel - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 07:03:08 am
content: Hi,I use this cheap stand for solder reel. It's good for higher gauge solder wire, but for thin one (e.g. 0.3mm) it doesn't work as the wire comes loose and starts to wind up around the shaft. I think the stand needs some wire tensioner. What stands do you use for thin wires?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 08:59:11 am
content: A couple of things that I have found really help:1. A small rubber grommet fitted in the hole in the solder guide arm. This provides a bit of resistance and slows the solder recoil when you let go.2. Use something to increase the diameter of the rod that the reel is sitting on. Much of the problem comes from the reel, with it's big hole, rocking backwards and forwards on the small diameter rod. Use anything that comes to hand, a piece of thin hose, sleeving, drilled wooden dowel etc.The secret is to increase friction.

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 09:09:36 am
content: My take on this:

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 12:43:16 pm
content: That is not thin wire.<0.15 mm is thin wire and you can forget about reel holders.Just wrap a small amount around two spread fingers, cut wire, close fingers and use that small spool.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 01:16:11 pm
content: Quote from: Messtechniker on September 05, 2024, 09:09:36 amErr, forgive me for being dim, but doesn't that unreel the thin solder every time you pull on the thick? A bit of a problem if you're not using them at the same rate?The spindle looks much better though.

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2024, 01:47:38 pm
content: I normally use only one type at a time. No probs.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2024, 08:05:07 am
content: I modified my stand a little bit and I think this will prevent the wire to wind up around the shaft.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2024, 08:43:23 am
content: Nicely done.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2024, 09:44:39 am
content: Thanks. First I tried to fit cylindrical shaft into the hole of the plastic reel but I found that the hole inside the reel isn't very cylindrical so it will be rather difficult to have the reel - shaft coupling that will provide some resistance (acceptable friction). At least it will be difficult to define the resistance with cylindrial shaft. With this solution (cones and spring) you can adjust the resistance by changing spring or adding/removing washers. Now there is nice resistance of the reel, the rotation occurs randomly between reel/cones, cones/shaft or shaft/yellow sheet metal.The rubber piece is just an improvisation, but it works now and prevents the wire to come loose.For wider solder reel I still have to modify this solution, because wider reel won't fit in the holder. I will replace the cones with smaller ones, the spring with wave washers to save some space on the shaft and if that is not enough I will print wider base plate of the stand.

author: Accu-Sembly
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2024, 11:47:50 pm
content: I prefer the Hakko 611 series for small wire.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2024, 11:09:57 am
content: I use spent spools from solder wick for solder. They are small and compact, the "flappy side" keeps the solder normally wound up tight and the spool gives you something substantial to hold on to instead of the thin wire.