Soldering Tools 101: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide for FPV Drone Pilots

Whether you like it or not, soldering is an essential part of the hobby. Things break and you will have to fix it, having the right soldering tools is essential. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best and most popular soldering tools on the market and provide insights into what makes them stand out. We’ll also discuss the different types of solder, their properties, and how to select the right one for your needs.

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New to soldering? I will show you all the basic soldering techniques in this tutorial.

How to Choose the Right Soldering Iron for Your Needs

A soldering iron is a tool used to join electronic components together by melting and then cooling a filler metal (solder) to create a permanent connection. The soldering iron is a key tool in building and repairing electronics projects, including FPV drones. In fact, the soldering iron is one of the most frequently used repair tools for FPV drones and other electronics projects.

Soldering Iron Recommendations

When choosing a soldering iron, it’s important to find one with a temperature control feature, as various electronic components may require different temperatures for proper soldering. A high-quality soldering iron should also provide a comfortable grip and user-friendly features.

If you are serious about soldering and only plan to do it on the bench (or you just don’t want to worry about getting a power supply), I’d recommend the AiXun T3A soldering station. It offers professional grade performance and features at a budget price, and it comes with its own power supply so it works right out of the box. See my review here: https://oscarliang.com/aixun-t3a-soldering-station/

Here are some other popular soldering irons that comes with their own power supplies.

What Makes a Good Soldering Iron?

When looking for a soldering iron, there are a few key features to consider. First and foremost, adjustable temperature control is a must-have. Different soldering projects require different temperatures, and being able to adjust the temperature allows for more precise work.

It’s also important to look for a soldering iron with a maximum temperature of at least 400°C, if not higher. This will ensure that you have the heat needed for a variety of tasks, such as soldering larger wires and pads.

In terms of power, a minimum of 30W is recommended, with 60W or higher being preferable for heavy-duty soldering tasks. A higher wattage iron can heat up faster and maintain a consistent temperature better, which can make a big difference in the quality of your soldering.

Other features to look for include a comfortable grip, a sturdy stand, and a variety of interchangeable tips for different types of soldering work. By investing in a good soldering iron with the right features, you can ensure that your soldering projects are completed efficiently and with precision.

Soldering Iron Tips

You need steady hands, so don’t drink too much coffee before soldering :) This is a good tip, but what I really want to talk about here is the real tip for your soldering iron!

Soldering iron tips are a critical component of any soldering project, and choosing the right tip can make all the difference. When selecting a tip, consider the size and shape of the component you’re soldering, as well as the type of soldering work you’ll be doing.

Pointed tips are ideal for precise soldering work, while larger, wider tips are better suited for larger jobs. When building or repairing FPV drones, two tips are generally all you need: a cone tip and a bevel tip.

A bevel tip is versatile and perfect for most tasks. Its large surface area makes it effective for larger jobs, such as soldering heavy gauge wire to an XT60 connector. The sharp edge is also useful for smaller jobs, which saves time and eliminates the need to switch tips frequently.

For extremely fine soldering, such as replacing micro surface mount components or soldering tiny wires to a processor on a flight controller, a cone tip is the way to go.

Most portable soldering iron comes with a cone tip, so investing in a bevel tip like the TS-BC2 is all you need to get started on your FPV drone projects. Get it here:

• Banggood: http://bit.ly/2GY0vZi
• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeoHx4Z
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YJOnyu

Understanding Different Types of Solder and Their Properties

Solder Wire Recommendations

Choosing the right solder wire is critical for any soldering project. For building and repairing FPV drones, a solder wire with a diameter of 0.6-0.8mm is ideal for the fine work involved.

There are different types of solder wire available, with varying alloys and elements. For FPV drone work, my top recommendation is rosin core 63/37 solder wire. This type of solder wire is made up of 63% tin and 37% lead, and provides good conductivity and a reliable bond.

• Kester 63/37: https://amzn.to/32hj3Oc
• MG Chemical 63/37: https://amzn.to/3h2x5XR

If you’re unable to get your hands on 63/37 solder wire, 60/40 solder wire (60% tin and 40% lead) is a great alternative. This type of solder wire is also widely used in electronics and provides a strong, durable bond.

• Kester 60/40: https://amzn.to/2ZtASrr
• MG Chemical 60/40: https://amzn.to/2C9FOc9

Why 63/37 Solder?

When solder is heated and melted, it enters a plastic phase where it takes time to return to its solid state. During this period, unwanted movement in the solder joint can create bad connections, especially when holding wires or components by hand.

63/37 solder has a shorter plastic phase compared to 60/40 or lead-free solder, which means it solidifies more quickly. This makes it a superior option for soldering, especially if your skills aren’t perfect. With a shorter plastic phase, you’ll be less likely to create bad connections and more likely to produce high-quality soldering joints.

In addition to its fast solidification time, 63/37 solder provides good conductivity and a reliable bond. While it may be slightly more expensive than 60/40 solder, the price difference is negligible when considering the benefits it provides.

Rosin Core, Clean and No-Clean Solder Differences

When it comes to solder, there are three main types to consider: rosin core, clean, and no-clean. Rosin core solder is the most commonly used type, and is preferred by many due to its ease of use. It contains more solder flux inside the solder than clean core, which helps prevent metal oxidation, especially for larger gauge wires that aren’t tin plated.

However, rosin core solder can leave a brown residue around the joints due to the larger amount of flux. This residue is not conductive and should not affect your solder joints, but it can be removed easily with alcohol. It’s up to you whether you want to clean it or leave it.

Clean core solder will not leave this residue, giving a shiny finish, but it sacrifices the oxidization-removing property of the flux.

No-clean solder is similar to rosin core, but it’s designed to be left on the solder joint without the need for cleaning. This can save time and effort, but it’s important to note that the residue can still affect the conductivity of the joint over time. As such, it’s generally recommended to clean the joint after soldering, even if you’re using no-clean solder.

Solder Wire Diameter

When it comes to soldering, the diameter of the solder wire can play an important role in the quality of your work. For fine work, such as building and repairing FPV drones, thinner solder wires are generally preferred.

A solder wire diameter of 0.032″ (0.81mm) is a good choice for most FPV drone related work. This diameter is thin enough to provide the accuracy needed for fine work, while still providing enough material for a reliable bond. Solder wires with a diameter of over 1mm can be more difficult to work with for fine work.

Avoid Unknown Brands

When it comes to purchasing solder wires, it’s important to choose a reputable manufacturer or retailer. Using low-quality solder can impact the quality of your soldering work and make it more difficult to achieve reliable connections.

Avoid purchasing solder from unknown vendors, particularly those selling cheap solder on websites like eBay or Banggood. While the prices may be tempting, the quality of the solder may be subpar.

Instead, opt for high-quality solder from reputable brands like Kester and MG Chemical. These brands have a proven track record of producing reliable and effective soldering products. Asahi is another brand that is highly recommended by many in the hobby, although it may not be as widely available as other brands.

While good quality solder may be more expensive than the cheap alternatives, it’s worth investing in for the long term. A single roll of high-quality solder can last for years, making it a worthy investment for building and repairing FPV drones and other electronics projects.

Solder Flux

Solder Flux Recommendations

• Kester Flux Pen
• MG Chemical Flux Syringe
• Solder Paste in a can: http://amzn.to/2sttBJj

What is Soldering Flux?

Soldering flux is a compound that is used to help with the soldering process. Flux is typically an acid or rosin based compound that is added to the surface of the metal being soldered. As the solder melts, the flux boils and flows to the outside of the molten solder, helping to remove impurities from the surface of the metal.

When metal is heated, oxidation occurs on the surface, which can prevent heat from being transferred effectively into the solder joint. This can cause the solder to become pasty and sticky, making it more difficult to work with. Flux helps by preventing oxidation and allowing the solder to flow more easily and stick to the surface being soldered.

Most rosin core solder wire comes with an adequate amount of flux in it, but it can be helpful to have separate flux available as well. When solder sits on the tip of a soldering iron, it can burn away the flux. In these cases, adding a small amount of additional flux to the surface being soldered can be helpful.

No-Clean Flux?

Popular fluxes are often labelled “No Clean”, which simply means there’s no need to clean the flux residue after soldering – it has no negative effects to the PCB and it won’t be electrically conductive. However, it’s possible that the slimy mess can collect and hold onto debris, some of which might be conductive, therefore it’s still a good idea to clean the residue after soldering, which can be done easily using 99% Isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip or a small brush.

How to Use Solder Flux?

Using solder flux is a simple process that can help improve the quality and reliability of your soldering work. Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Apply flux: Before soldering, apply a small amount of flux to the surface of the metal being soldered. This will help prevent oxidation and make it easier for the solder to flow.
2. Heat the metal: Use a soldering iron to heat the metal being soldered until it reaches the appropriate temperature.
3. Apply solder: Once the metal is hot enough, apply the solder to the joint. The flux should help the solder flow easily and stick to the surface being soldered.
4. Clean up: After soldering, use rubbing alcohol or a similar solvent to clean any residue from the flux off the surface of the joint.

If you find that your soldering joint is dull or grey in appearance, this is usually an indication that the flux has completely boiled away. To fix this, simply add more flux to the joint and heat it up again. This should help the solder flow more easily and create a smoother, shinier joint.

Soldering Helping Hands

Soldering electronic components often requires holding wires or components in place while soldering. Helping hands are specialized tools that are designed to hold wires, circuit boards, and other components in place while you solder them. They are also known as “soldering third hand”.

A soldering helping hand typically features multiple alligator clips that can be adjusted to hold components steady while you solder. Some helping hands also include a magnifying glass, which can be helpful for fine work, although this is less important for FPV drone work.

You can find these soldering helping hands here:

• Amazon
• AliExpress
• Cheapest worth having (Amz)

Pro tip: In addition to using a helping hand, consider using blu-tack (mounting putty) to hold small wires and components in place while soldering. This can provide an extra level of stability and make it easier to achieve accurate solder joints. Get some blu-tack here: https://amzn.to/3xexEqJ

Solder Remover

At times, you may need to remove solder from a joint or printed circuit board (PCB), such as when you’ve applied too much solder or need to remove a component or wire. In these cases, a solder remover can be a valuable tool.

Two common types of solder removers are desoldering wick and solder suckers. Desoldering wick is a copper braid that absorbs molten solder, much like a sponge. Solder suckers use a small air vacuum to suck up molten solder out of a heated joint.

If you’re not sure which type to get, desoldering wick is generally considered more versatile and effective. To use it, simply place the wick on the solder joint and apply heat with a soldering iron. The wick will absorb the molten solder, making it easier to remove the component or wire.

Solder suckers can be useful for larger joints or areas with a lot of solder, but they can be more difficult to use effectively. With practice, however, they can be a valuable addition to your soldering toolkit.

You can get both tools in a bundle here:

• • Amazon: https://amzn.to/416fbeS
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmhnsJP

Tip Cleaner

Get the tip cleaners here:

• Brass tip cleaner on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IdQdld
• Brass coil tip cleaner on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBputF7
• Solder Sponge on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lN82Qz
• Solder Sponge on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmkEbbj

Over time, the tip of your soldering iron will accumulate residues, which can make it difficult to use. A soldering tip cleaner is a specialized tool that is used to clean the tip of your soldering iron between uses. Keeping your soldering iron tip clean is important for maintaining good performance and achieving accurate, reliable solder joints.

To clean your soldering iron tip, you can use a heat-resistant sponge or a brass coil tip cleaner. The heat-resistant sponge is designed specifically for soldering and should be wet with water before use. The brass coil tip cleaner is more durable than the sponge and can be used dry.

It’s important to avoid using kitchen scourers, as these are typically made of aluminium or steel and can scratch and damage your tip. By using a dedicated tip cleaner, you can ensure that your soldering iron tip remains in good condition and delivers the best possible performance.

Cleaning Solder Joints

Alcohol and cotton swabs are a great combo for cleaning solder joints and removing residue after soldering. Some people even use an old toothbrush.

• Get some alcohol from Amazon: https://amzn.to/419vSG3
• Get some cotton swabs from AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DF3WaS1

Solder Smoke Extractor

When soldering, it’s important to protect yourself from the harmful fumes that can be released. Prolonged exposure to solder fumes can cause respiratory issues such as asthma, so it’s important to take steps to protect your health.

One option is to use an activated exhaust extractor, which draws the fumes away from your workspace and filters them out of the air. Get a soldering smoke extractor here:

• Banggood: http://bit.ly/2UnhQOo
• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DliNOc1
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SNgZFi

If you enjoy DIY projects, you can even build your own solder fume extractor at a relatively low cost. Tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/diy-solder-smoke-extractor/

Another option is to work in a well-ventilated area, such as near an open window or with a fan blowing the fumes away from you. Get a cheap desktop fan here:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdE7TDB
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xAWZfJ

Reverse Tweezers

Don’t want to burn your fingers when soldering wires? I use a pair of reverse tweezers. It’s really the best for holding small wires as they squeeze and hold on to the wire when you let go, it’s effortless.

Where to buy: https://amzn.to/2SE4R9r

Edit History

• Mar 2019 – Article created
• Mar 2023 – Updated product links