cold heat soldering iron? how does one of those things work?


On 6/03/2008 6:30 PM, the old scribe known as Frederick was able to 
impart this pearl of wisdom:
>     Hi
>      I used to have one of those cold heat soldering irons. I remember it
> ran through the batteries quickly. Is there a way to create a 110 adapter
> for one?
> 
> God bless,
> Mark
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:04 PM
> Subject: Re: function box project update
> 
> 
>> yep very similar to how I learned as well.
>> I am self taught, if that is possible.
>> I don't use plyers anymore because for some things they create too much of
>> a
>> heat sink and the component or wire doesn't get hot enough to melt the
>> solder properly, thus causing a cold solder joint.
>> For things that aren't adverse to an extra heat sink, i use a bench vice
>> to
>> hold the components and this works well.
>> I have heavy callases on my left hand from playing guitar, so i can touch
>> the hot parts for short periods without burning or pain.
>> This said, i am limited.  for instance, i find soldering those multi-pin
>> jacks where there are 8 pins all tight together a real challenge.  I tend
>> to
>> use too much solder and it usually ends up shorting pins together when i
>> don't want them to be.
>> I think the wahl cold solder iron, which only gets hot when you short the
>> tip peaces together on a metal surface might be a great tool for small
>> tight
>> work.
>> I use a couple other methods as well...holding the soldering iron/pen in
>> my
>> teeth to keep it in one place while i use both hands.
>> placing the handle of the iron in a vice and bringing the components to
>> it,
>> such as when i'm splicing wires.
>> I also use a heavy duty glass jar to set the iron in while i'm not using
>> it
>> and it is still hot.
>> I can't say how many times I have knocked the silly thing off the desk or
>> table and onto a foot or the floor while i'm working.  the glass jar
>> prevents this from happening, and prevents accidental burns as well.
>> There are a few really great articles on soldering as a blind person, from
>> the smith kettlewell institutes magazine that used to circulate.
>> I may have the URL for all the articles in my favorites...if i do i'll
>> post
>> the links up here.
>> I think there were 3 in total and they were all very informative and
>> helpful.
>> Another thing is having the right tip on the iron or gun.  If the tip is
>> too
>> large, you can heat up portions of the work that will melt and cause
>> problems.  If it is too small, you won't get enough heat transfer and the
>> solder won't melt quickly or properly.
>> When soldering small contacts, a very small tip works best.  when
>> soldering
>> big stuff, like the tip of a PL259 connecter, you need a big tip that will
>> transfer lots of heat and melt the heavy solder that you have to use.
>> Of course, the best thing to use with a pl259 is a flame
>> torch....something
>> with a very very narrow flame and that gets really hot...you can get them
>> from nearly any hardware store...they take a regular lighter, sanns the
>> flint.
>> anyway, i'll see if i can find those articles if no one beats me to it.
>> 73
>> Colin, V A6BKX
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:02 PM
>> Subject: Re: function box project update
>>
>>
>>> Actually, no one would show me how, luckily my fingers are so tough they
>>> don't burn easy but really, I started by holding my work with needle nose
>>> pliers and just following them to the work until I got comfortable. I'm
>> not
>>> saying I'm great at it, but I have seen a lot worse jobs than mine and
>> I've
>>> even done a few PL-259 connectors that looked professional. If I could
>> only
>>> do it consistently I'd be happier with it but oh well. I like being able
>> to
>>> do that stuff for myself but it's not for everyone, even some sighted
>> people
>>> won't touch it, some for good reason, others have never tried.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "CHRISTOPHER SCHULTE" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:52 PM
>>> Subject: Re: function box project update
>>>
>>>
>>>> That has to be the one thing that as a ham, I feel ashamed to admit I
>>>> don't
>>>> know how to do is solder.
>>>>
>>>> I got my license back in 1996 through studying a "Now You're Talking"
>> book
>>>> that I purchased through radio shack and someone reading it to me over
>> and
>>>> over again.  I have never taken the time to learn how to solder, and to
>> be
>>>> quite honest, I'm a little afraid of burning my fingers in trying.  How
>>>> did
>>>> people on this list learn to do this?  Were there just sighted Elmers
>> that
>>>> were patient enough to bear with the mistakes?
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Chris, w8cjs
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:07 PM
>>>> Subject: function box project update
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> hey all:
>>>>> well, so far, I am making good progress.
>>>>> I found out that the 22K and 100K resisters from pin 3 and pin 4 to
>>>>> ground
>>>>> on the mike jack, do indeed control all four PF buttons, on the ts2000
>>>>> and
>>>>> tm455 anyway.
>>>>> And of course, the same without a resister controls the up/down
>>>>> functions.
>>>>> So, we have that question out of the way.  Now, I wonder if its
>>>>> universal.
>>>>> I suspect that if it works on the ts-2000, its probably going to work
>> on
>>>>> any
>>>>> of the other kenwood radios that utilize the mc45DM or utilize pf
>>>>> keys.
>>>>> I mean, the instructions i got were for a TM455, which i believe is an
>>>>> older
>>>>> radio?
>>>>>
>>>>> So, now it is just a matter of putting everything together.  That is,
>>>>> soldering up all the connections with resisters, and mounting the
>>>>> switches
>>>>> and connecter in the project box...and then the most fun, soldering an
>> 8
>>>>> wire cat5 cable to the 8 pin microphone connecter....yay.
>>>>> I am willing to bet that the electronics place i went to the other day
>>>>> will
>>>>> make up custom cables for a not too exorbadant cost.
>>>>> Perhaps i'll get them to solder those tiny little things instead of me
>>>>> fighting with it.
>>>>> 73
>>>>> Colin, V A6BKX
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.4/1313 - Release Date: 3/5/2008
>> 9:50 AM
>>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> __________ NOD32 2925 (20080305) Information __________
> 
> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> http://www.eset.com
> 
> 
>