Quick and Easy Dual Purpose Soldering Iron and Tip Organizer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Joebeazelman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2021, 08:54:17 pm
content: Quick and Easy Dual Purpose Soldering Iron and Tip OrganizerYou may either already own this ubiquitous soldering iron holder. There are available for around $10 from eBay or included as an accessory for numerous Chinese made soldering stations. They are sturdier and more stable than the typical flimsy wire or plastic ones available. If you’re looking for a cheap decent soldering iron stand, don't hesitate to buy it.I want to share how you can turn this one trick pony of a stand into a dual purpose, space T12 soldering tip organizer. I also will reveal an even easier to make tool for attaching and detaching T12 tips without burning your fingers!￼InstructionsIf you notice, the top of the stand has a series of holes evenly spaced apart on both sides. I wondered if the holes were for holding tips? I tried to insert a tip into it, but the holes were too small. I used a step bit which is designed for drilling holes through sheetmetal, and enlarged the holes so the T12 can just clear it around 5.5 to 6mm. You can add a piece of tape right at the area of the bit where it is the same diameter as the tip as shown. Try to keep the hole large enough to clear the tip, but small enough not to be too loose. Before testing your tip, make sure you gently check the topside and underside of all the holes to ensure there are no burrs. Burrs can cut you if you inadvertently rub against it and can damage your tips. You can use a piece of sandpaper or small file to quickly touch up the edges of the holes to remove them.You don’t have to purchase a step bit for this modification (I highly recommend for drilling through all sorts of sheet materials such as plastics, PCBs etc. A set of three sizes is well under $20). A regular drill bit with a diameter slightly larger than your T12 bit works too.BONUS: T12 Tip Handling ToolRemoving an inserting a T12 tip into its hand-piece is quick easy, but not when it’s red hot. I’ve observed quite a few people either wait for the tip to cool, or risk damaging it using an inappropriate tool such as a pair of pliers. It’s not surprising, since many of the T12 soldering stations don't address this issue.Well, there’s a very easy tool you can make for a couple of bucks, or for free if you already own one. I was at my local dollar store when I noticed a silicone spatula used in cooking and realized it would make a great tool for handling hot T12 tips, since silicone is very heat resistant. On many of them, the handle isn’t held in place with any adhesive or fastener, instead it is pressed fit into the socket on the silicone part. If you pull and wiggle hard enough, the handle loosen free. If possible, try and ensure the socket isn’t damaged as it serves as the insertion point for the hot tip. To use it, insert your tip into the socket, press the socket together with your fingers to pull out or insert the tip into its T12 handle. If you damaged it, no worries, you can always fold it over the silicone over the tip, albeit not as convenient.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2021, 10:38:01 pm
content: With the silicone spatula: you could cut the part of the silicon blade off that surrounds the "business part", and make the whole thing more compact?

author: Joebeazelman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2021, 12:51:03 am
content: That's not a bad idea! I will try it.You can use a piece of the spatula to scrape solder off pads by heating up the solder with a hot or a soldiering iron and immediately following the iron tip or air stream with the silicone. I found it is the best and fastest way to remove solder down to the bare pads or to flick off stubborn solder bridges.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2021, 01:20:09 am
content: Quote from: Joebeazelman on March 14, 2021, 12:51:03 amInteresting, instead of using solder braid or something? Where does the solder end up, though?