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Advice on tools/essentials

post #1 of 14
4/8/11 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
I am finally about to attempt my first DIY Build: the AMB Y1 (Gamma1). I have the parts list and everything all set up, and all I really need to figure out is some good tools for the job. I know i'll need a better soldering iron than what I currently have (radioshack bullcrap w/ broken tip). I know I need liquid flux and I know it would help greatly to get those Helping Hands things.

Is there any recommendations for a good beginner's soldering station (variable temp control preferably) and some good liquid flux and helping hands? Is there anything else i'll need?
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post #2 of 14
4/8/11 at 4:27pm

I like sharp pointed needle nose tweezers, so I can see what I'm doing while placing an IC or part.

 

I use the Kester Flux-Pen, #186 Type RMA or #951 No-Clean. Can't remember which for this project but I think it was the No-Clean. Liquid flux in a bottle with a syringe is just as effective. I would recommend not buying a large amount of flux, as this project will require only a dab, and liquid flux has a limited shelf life.

 

Helping hands are kinda cool and definitely useful for DIY, but I prefer just laying the pcb on a sponge for this project. It allows me to poke the lead of the part through the hole and adjust a little before soldering. Adjustments can be made by only soldering one pin and then tweaking before you finish soldering other pins on the part.

 

The soldering station can be somewhat limiting for me. The cord to the soldering iron isn't long enough to twist about like I would like without scooting the whole station over closer to the work. I prefer a corded non-adjustable Weller SP-40 for most work these days. I don't find the adjustable temp thing to be all that desirable for me, instead just focusing on making the joint as quickly as possible and not dwelling too long on the joint. Using flux with pre-tinned pads, it's surprisingly quick to make a good joint using a clean soldering tip with a small amount of solder on the tip. Look around for some videos from Tangent as well as others online. Use good flux and a eutectic solder. Have something nice set up to keep the tip on your iron good and clean after each joint. I use Radio Shack tip tinner and cleaner(in the small metal tin) and try to keep my tip clean and lots of solder applied before unplugging the iron.

 

A lead forming tool is quite nice for resistors, but by no means necessary. 

 

Watch some online tutorials if you can, and a little practice on something wouldn't hurt at all.

 

You will enjoy listening to the Y1. It's a very nice dac.

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post #3 of 14
4/8/11 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
I'll go ahead and get the tweezers and flux pen instead of the bottle of liqid solder. I'll definately still be looking to build the Gamma 2 when this project is done, and possibly also the Crack OTL headphone amp depending on how much I have saved towards a good set of full size cans. Right now ive given my turbines to my GF so I have only the bose on ears to go by until then.

For the soldering station I figured adjustable was the way to go simply because im not terribly great at soldering, though it could have just been the fact that my soldering iron blows. All i have right now is that radioshack one from about 7 years ago. Its gotten such bad oxidization of the tip that I had to sand it down to make it heat the solder. Now theres nothing left on the tip except pure copper. Also I want to be able to keep the temp low enough as to not harm certain parts.

ALso i'll check radioshack and look into the tinner/cleaner.
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post #4 of 14
4/9/11 at 9:56am

I would use a nice clean tip to begin a project like this.

 

I would not use the Rad Shack tinner stuff as a substitute for good tip cleaning practices, but as something to help re-tin the tip after a thorough cleaning.

 

One more thing I forgot, that you might also find useful, would be a very small pair of side cutters. A pair that cuts flush on one side, and with small cutting ends to get into tight places if need be.

 

You might want some desoldering braid, just in case you mess something up. Careful planning and attention would make this less of a concern. Here I like the Chem-WIK Rosin SD, size .030.

 

I'm quite sure I'm forgetting something.

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post #5 of 14
4/9/11 at 5:01pm
Flush-cut clippers are a must, as well.
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post #6 of 14
4/9/11 at 5:15pm

From AMB's Y1 "instructions page":

 

 

Quote:

 

Due to γ1's small size and close approximity of parts, as well as the surface-mount device (SMD) integrated circuits, you should have the following tools and supplies to help you work on the board and case:

  • A good soldering iron with fine tip, preferably with adjustable temperature. For example, a Weller WLC100 with ST6 tip. A more deluxe soldering station such as the Weller Weller WES51 or Hakko 936 is nice, but not necessary.
  • Liquid flux or flux pen (e.g., this or this)
  • Thin gauge solder, such as 0.025". Your choice of 60/40 or 63/37 tin/lead. Avoid silver solder as it requires high heat. Lead-free solders also require higher heat and their durability is still in question.
  • Fine tweezer with sharp points, such as those from Wiha
  • Desoldering braid
  • Chip Quik® SMD desoldering kit (if needed).
  • Vision aid, such as magnifier lamp, loupe, magnifying eyewear (e.g., Fisherman Eyewear Flip-n-focus), etc.
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Diagonal cutter
  • Cotton Q-tips
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Emery board or thin file (for black Hammond or Box Enclosures case only)
  • Imperial #6-32 or metric M3.5 tap (optional, if not using stock screws)
  • Multimeter with sharp probes

 

 

 

I would go with one of the Hakko clones before I would buy another weller station but that's just me. ;)

 

Link--------->

 

http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-936-AOYUE-Soldering-Station/dp/B000VINMRO

 

 

 

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post #7 of 14
4/9/11 at 10:02pm

I have a Weller WLC100 but if I had to buy anew on it would be a Hakko or an Edsyn.  Flux is a must for the smd stuff.  The list above covers all the basics.  There are some good tutorial videos at curiousinventor.com. 

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post #8 of 14
4/11/11 at 9:06am

I have a Weller WLC100 and like it very much.  It's been a hobbyist staple for years, if not decades.  One important consideration is availability of tips, and Weller tips can be found everywhere.

 

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post #9 of 14
4/11/11 at 9:36am
Thread Starter 
I found a weller 15 watt soldering iron for about 11 bucks at home depot. I think this should be perfect for me because the low heat should make it difficult to damage any components. It sucks that its recommended to start with the semiconductors because that is the one thing i am scared of damaging in the first place. The resistors are cheap enough that I can order a pack of 10 of each and it will only cost about 7 bucks more.

I'm gonna hit up radioshack to see what flux pens they have and to see if they have good solder. I'm definately gonna go with a thin conical tip instead of the chisel tip that some SMD soldering tutorials use.

Can someone explain the difference in usage of liquid flux, flux paste, and flux pens?
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post #10 of 14
4/11/11 at 10:03am

Hi , wannabe diyer here too, i would like some advice about the theoretical part of electronics. Do i even need them ? I mean knowing the electrical laws, components,etc...Is it worth it ? where should i start, are there good books to read for a clean start ?

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post #11 of 14
4/11/11 at 10:19am

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

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post #12 of 14
4/11/11 at 10:54am

@castlevania32

Check out Practical Electronics for Inventors. This seems a very comprehensive book with a strong theory section (quite heavy on the maths but even if you struggle with algebra, etc., you can still glean something from it) and a very detailed practical section. One of the best 'beginner' books I've looked at, I don't think this book misses anything when it comes to the fundamentals of electronics.

 

@shrimants

You may actually want something with a little higher wattage than 15W. If you're soldering cables, jacks to boards or components with thicker leads you might find that a low wattage iron runs out of heat, so to speak. I have the Aoyue 937+ (I imagine the 936 will do just as well and is cheaper) - it's a cheap temp. controlled station and is a god send. The other big plus is the ability to swap tips. SMD work, etc., is easier if you have a very fine tip on hand, and there are a whole host of tips available for Aoyue irons.

 

In my admittedly limited DIY experience I've learned three things for certain: get a good iron, get a variety of tip sizes and buy some 63/37 solder with a rosin flux core. These things will make your life so much easier.

 

RE flux, I don't think there's any difference between a flux pen and liquid. The pen just provides a more convenient means of application. A rosin flux is good, just be sure to clean your boards after using it as it's quite corrosive (which is obviously what makes it a good flux!).

 

 


Edited by jr41 - 4/12/11 at 12:37am
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post #13 of 14
4/11/11 at 7:17pm

 

Quote:

I found a weller 15 watt soldering iron for about 11 bucks at home depot.

 

 

You are going to need more heat then that (iron can produce) to solder the pads that connect to the ground planes on the Y1 board.

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post #14 of 14
4/11/11 at 7:52pm
Thread Starter 
well, i guess i;ll just save me the money then and just use the 30 watt radioshack one i currently have. That means all i gotta do is figure out the differences between types of flux and what sort i would be best off using for this project, get the tip replaced, and figure out where im supposed to get 80 bucks (my dad said he'll only cover half)
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