Cheapest way to learn to solder

Video Description

The best way to learn how to solder is just to plough in and start doing it. One thing that puts people off is the indecision of which tools to get and how much to spend on them. In reality you can start with just a basic soldering iron, a roll of standard solder, a pair of side cutters to trim leads and something to solder together. You can get all those things for less than $15. Once you've got into soldering you can then expand your tool kit as needed, possibly with a higher power soldering iron and some other basic tools like a basic meter. There's a lot of tool snobbery on YouTube, with people implying that you need to buy premium expensive tools. But in reality, basic tools are fine. You can evolve to more specialist meters and tools as you get a feel for your chosen electronic direction. Here are some search links to find the tools I used. They are eBay searches starting at the lowest priced first, so avoid the suspiciously low cost and feedback sellers and scroll through to the ones with high levels of feedback. The side cutters. I use these routinely:- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=side+cutters&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price roughly $3.50 The surprisingly usable USB soldering iron:- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=usb+soldering+iron&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price around $7 inclusive Generic shady eBay solder. You may be better sourcing this locally or getting a few yards/metres from a friend. You're looking for a 60/40 or 63/37 tin/lead alloy with flux. 0.8mm is a reasonable diameter. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=solder+50g+0.8mm&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price around $2.50 for 50g A kit to build or possibly even destroy as part of your learning experience. (I destroyed my first kit.) https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=flashing+led+kit+suite&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price from $2.50 upwards If you go for the USB soldering iron you'll need a beefy 2.1A output power bank or phone charger to run it, noting that on a plug-in charger there will be stray AC leakage on the iron tip that may damage some delicate components. With a power bank you have a portable soldering station that can be used anywhere. Here are some other tools you may wish to add to your collection. The very handy 8-in-1 precision screwdriver:- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=8+in+1+precision+screwdriver&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price around $2 Jewellers pliers. Choose the flat narrow end type with serrated tips:- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=jewellers+pliers&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price around $3.50 to $5 For a meter you can start with a cheap one and upgrade as you get to appreciate specific features. Watch out for sellers showing a picture of a meter, but just selling the leads! https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=multimeter&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15 Target price around $5 for a basic meter suitable for bench stuff, but NOT suitable for mains/industrial electrical work. Most of these dinky meters are fairly accurate and a very good first-meter. For those of you in the UK, consider a meter from CPC as it will have extra safety features for the UK market. Remember the most important things about soldering. The iron tip should be clean and shiny and you mustn't carry solder to the component on the iron tip. It has to be melted fresh into the solder joint so that the flux can do its job before boiling off. Then it's all down to just getting a feel for it. If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:- http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.