Although I like to spend most of my time flying RC Airplanes there comes a point when I am forced to land and provide maintenance on the plane. For a long time I did everything in my power to avoid having to solder anything on my planes. I was scared of soldering and admittedly quite terrible at it. But like a first kiss, there comes a time in a man's life when he must step up and grab the bull by the horns no matter how terrifying it is.
If you are just starting out in the hobby you may be thinking to yourself "why would I ever need to solder anything on my RC airplane?" I used to have that same attitude but after a few crashes and upgrades it quickly became clear that I was going to need some soldering skills. Soldering can be used on all sorts of electric airplane parts. Servos, motors, ESC's and batteries are the more popular components that often need some soldering.
Soldering Iron Gun
When it comes to soldering electrical devices in your airplane it is best to remove the device from the fuselage and solder it away from the model. Foam and balsa melt and burn very quickly when coming into contact with a soldering iron. If you are unable to take the component out of the plane then do your best to protect the rest of the plane with a towel or other covering and be very careful. Make sure the model is secure and will not roll around or shift while you're in the middle of soldering. A sudden movement could disrupt the whole operation, causing you to damage the airplane.
Choosing the right iron for the soldering job is simple as long as you think 'light'. Soldering on RC models is often a delicate ordeal so you want to have the right tool for the job. A large, heavy soldering 'gun' is awesome, but the wrong tool for the job. Precision is key and you will have a hard time being precise when your muscles are shaking and giving out during the soldering session. Choose a pencil iron that you can easily hold in one hand like a pencil. An iron in the 60-80 watt range is a good start. An 80 watt iron might be a little hot for some jobs but a 40 watt iron is much to 'cold' for most jobs. I have learned that through much experience so save yourself the frustration and get something in the middle.
The right (or wrong) solder can make all the difference in the world as well. Be sure to use something that has less than 5% silver content, otherwise the solder will take an enormous amount of heat to melt and the time to solidify will be very quick. This makes the job more difficult than it needs to be, especially for those that are just starting out.
The important thing is to take your time and arm yourself with as much patience as you can muster. Soldering is a sometimes difficult and frustrating skill to master, but once mastery is achieved a world of opportunity is opened when it comes to repairing or modifying your electric radio controlled airplane.
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Weller P2KC Professional Self-igniting Cordless Butane Soldering Iron Kit Feature
- Tips and accessories screw on easily
- Includes complete kit
- Soldering tips are iron plated for long life
- Gas capacity allows up to 1 hour of continuous use
- Automatic cut-off switch when cap is inserted
Weller P2KC Professional Self-igniting Cordless Butane Soldering Iron Kit Overview
The new Portasol® cordless soldering tool from Weller® gives you the ultimate in portable power and convenience for all your soldering jobs. Slide the fuel button forward, press the piezo switch, and the tool's super-fast heat-up lets you melt solder in under a minute. The Portasol® cordless soldering tool is powerful too, adjusting from the equivalent of 25 to 75 watts for temperatures up to 850°F. Refueled with standard butane in just 20 seconds, the Portasol® P2C lasts for up to an hour of continuous use. Kit includes tool with five tips (PPT6 3/32" double flat soldering tip, PPT12 flame tip, PPT10 hot knife tip, PPT9 hot air tip, and PPT11 hot air deflector tip), sponge and tray, tool holder, storage case, and instructions. Mfg. #P2KC. Replacement tips available.SAVE NOW on the special offers below!
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