Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Use a Weller 1400 Solder Iron

Weller, a subsidiary of the Cooper Hand Tool company, has long been known as a leader in the field of affordable, professional soldering equipment. The Weller 1400 Soldering Iron is an ideal all-purpose tool which can handle jobs of any size, from stained glass ornaments to industrial piping. While Weller soldering irons are not difficult to operate, correct use is essential to prevent injury, damage to the tool or a substandard product.

Instructions

- 1
  Attach your desired tip to the soldering iron. A medium-thick pencil tip is a good all-purpose tip, but Weller also manufactures a wide range of tips appropriate for specialized applications.
- 2
  Turn on the soldering unit and set the wattage. A wattage of 25-30 is appropriate for most tasks, but your Weller soldering iron can be turned up as high as 60 watts. To avoid damage to your project or to the iron, never use a higher wattage than necessary.
- 3
  Clean the tip of the heated soldering iron using a small, steel-bristled brush. Lightly brush to remove any corrosion or soot.
- 4
  Tin the tip of the soldering iron. Tinning creates a more even heat distribution and prevents "burnout," or premature corrosion at the tip. To tin your tip, simply apply a thin layer of solder across the entire surface area. This is the only time in the process when you will apply solder directly to the iron.
- 5
  Press the tip of the soldering iron onto the lower section of the joint you are soldering. Hold the tip in place until the joint heats up to the temperature of the iron.
- 6
  Apply a thin bead of solder directly to the joint. Allow the solder to melt, and flow out over the joint. Never "paste" or spread the solder onto the joint.
- 7
  Remove the soldering iron from the joint. Clean the tip with a brush dipped in flux and re-tin the tip.
- 8
  Work along the length of the joint, applying solder in small sections until the joint is completely soldered. Turn off the soldering iron and allow the unit to cool completely before storing.

Other Hobbies