Guides
Practical answers to buying and setup questions, with links to the relevant choices.
- Guide63/37 vs 60/40 vs SAC305 solder: melting points and which to useLets you choose between the three common solder alloys on handling, iron temperature and lead exposure, rather than on habit.
- GuideAliExpress soldering station buyer's checklist for the US and CanadaA pre-checkout checklist that catches the wrong voltage variant, unproven store claims and surprise import costs before you pay.
- GuideC115 vs C210 cartridges: when nano tips are worth itStops you buying a nano system you will outgrow on the first connector, or a precision handle that is too coarse for your smallest parts.
- GuideC210 vs C245 soldering cartridges: precision or powerHelps you decide which JBC-style handle to buy first, or whether you need both, based on the joints you actually solder.
- GuideDigital vs stereo microscope for soldering: which to chooseMatches the type of microscope to how you work: soldering under magnification, inspecting joints, or recording repairs.
- GuideDo you need a PCB preheater? When it helps and what to try firstHelps you decide whether a preheater solves your actual problem, or whether a bigger tip, more flux or hot air should come first.
- GuideDo you need an oscilloscope for electronics repair?Helps you decide whether your repairs need a scope yet, and what bandwidth and sample rate to look for if they do.
- GuideESD bench setup: mat, wrist strap and a proper ground pointGives a standards-based ESD setup for a home repair bench, the common mistakes, and when you must not wear a wrist strap.
- GuideHot-air rework station buying guide: what to check firstShows which hot-air station specs matter, which cannot be compared between brands, and how to avoid buying a 220 V-only unit.
- GuideHow to choose solder for electronics: alloy, flux core and diameterTurns a confusing solder listing into four checks, so you buy one spool that suits your work and your household.
- GuideHow to clean flux residue from a circuit boardTells you whether your board needs cleaning at all, and how to clean it without leaving a film or powering up a wet board.
- GuideHow to use a bench power supply for repair: current limit firstShows how to power a board from a bench supply without turning a fault into damage, and which supply features make that easier.
- GuideHow to use solder wick (desoldering braid) without lifting padsGets solder off pads and out of bridges cleanly, and shows when a pump or hot air is the better tool for the job.
- GuideMicroscope magnification explained: what the X numbers meanLets you compare microscope listings on the numbers that matter for soldering instead of the headline magnification.
- GuideMultimeter CAT ratings explained: CAT II vs CAT III and beyondTells you which measurement category your work needs and how to check that a meter's rating is backed by independent certification.
- GuidePinecil vs TS101: USB-C soldering irons comparedHelps you choose between the Pinecil V2 and TS101 USB-C irons, and buy a Pinecil through the channel Pine64 names rather than one it says cannot be genuine.
- GuideRosin vs no-clean vs water-soluble flux: what each name meansHelps you pick a flux whose residue you can either leave on the board or clean off reliably, instead of guessing from a syringe label.
- GuideSolder smoke absorber vs fume extractor: what each one removesExplains which kind of fume control captures soldering smoke at the source and what to check before buying either type.
- GuideSoldering tip shapes: chisel, conical, bevel and knife explainedHelps you buy the one or two tip shapes that match your joints, instead of a set of fine points you will rarely use.
- GuideT12 or C245 soldering tips: choosing an ecosystemExplains the tip-system decision that locks in which stations and tips you can use.
- GuideT12 vs T15 soldering tips: Hakko's regional names explainedExplains why US Hakko tips carry T15 part numbers and why an AliExpress T12 station is not a Hakko system, so you order cartridges that match your iron.
- GuideUL vs ETL vs CE vs FCC: what the marks on repair tools meanShows which marks on a soldering station or bench tool are evidence of electrical-safety testing, and how to check that a mark is real.
- GuideWhy ground planes are hard to solder, and how to fix itShows which fix to try first on a stubborn ground joint, and when the answer is a more powerful handle or a preheater rather than a higher setting.
- GuideWhy solder won't stick to your soldering tip, and how to fix itTells you whether a tip that will not take solder can be rescued or needs replacing, before you buy a new tip or station.
- ShortlistSoldering bench add-ons: microscope, smoke absorbers and tipsShows which add-ons are worth having after the station and what their listings leave unproven.
- ShortlistSoldering stations for a 120 V home bench: three picksNarrows the choice to three stations with US voltage options and explains the tip-system and seller trade-offs.