Soldering is one of the most useful skills to have when doing DIY electronic repairs around the house. It’s saved me hundreds of dollars in electrician bills, and one particular soldering tool, the heat sink, helps me save on components too. When soldering, make sure the heat sink is clipped between the joint and the … Continue Reading
Arduino is a great open-source developer of software and hardware, providing an ideal entry point for someone who wants to get into electronics and create some really cool things. In this article, we’re going to look at how to solder header pins to an Arduino whether it’s a Nano or an Uno. With a few … Continue Reading
Any time you work to combine two pipes together through soldering, you need to find a way to prevent oxidation from occurring. Since oxidation is a natural process, using something like flux is necessary to prevent oxidation at high temperatures and with lots of moisture. But which type of flux is more effective: tinning flux … Continue Reading
In general, people know that soldering can be a demanding and hazardous process. Because it involves super-heating the metal, soldering usually is only performed on dry metal to avoid creating steam and stopping the metal from reaching the desired temperature. But, what if you need to solder copper pipes with water in them? This article … Continue Reading
Soldering is a common form of repair for all different types of projects. By melting the solder material, you can use it to bind together two other metal wires or pipes. Solder gives you a powerful bond between the different components involved, which is why people prefer it. However, it can be challenging to know … Continue Reading
Welding joins two or more metal parts together with heat, pressure, or both to form a joint as the parts cool. MIG Welding units require a shielding gas to protect the melted wire used to form that joint from particles and contaminants in the air. MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding tanks have gauges that measure … Continue Reading
MIG or Metal Inert Gas has been used for nearly 80 years and is a favorite among new welders. A great feature of MIG welding is that it can melt different sized metals together, though it is mainly used for thicker pieces. Setting the gas on a MIG welding set can be simple, requiring limited … Continue Reading
MIG welding machines are the most popular piece of equipment for repairing car parts, specifically car panels. However, getting the MIG welder’s settings just right is key to a successful weld. For filler metal selection, the electrodes in the ER4xxx and ER5xxx are most suitable for welding auto body panels. The panels’ aluminum’s chemical properties … Continue Reading
Nearly every electronic device uses a motherboard. Motherboards are inside computers, tablets, cellphones, digital cameras, and all kinds of other electronics. Capacitors are small pieces soldered onto motherboards that prevent electricity from spiking and frying other components. Sometimes, these capacitors need to be replaced. What steps are needed to solder a capacitor to a motherboard? … Continue Reading
Soldering involves heating metal at a high temperature and requires precision at every turn, meaning proper maintenance is a must. Most importantly is the maintenance of the soldering iron tip, a crucial step in retaining optimal performance, cleanliness, and safety. Soldering iron tips wear out over time due to the construction of the tool. To … Continue Reading