The only soldering tools you really need to get started with soldering are a soldering iron and some solder. If you just want to get started, that’s what I recommend you get.
Even though you can do a lot with just a soldering iron, getting a few extra tools could make things easier.
In this article, I’ll show you what the basic soldering tools are.
Soldering Iron
You can’t do much soldering without a soldering iron.
But a soldering iron does not have to be expensive. You can find soldering irons for less than $10 that would work for most beginners’ needs. But as you progress and you want to make more advanced boards, you might want to invest a bit more.
I’ve written a guide on how to find the best soldering iron for your needs. Read that article if you want to solder, but have no idea which soldering iron to choose.
Even though not a “tool”, you’d also need some solder wire to solder.
Wire Cutter
The wire cutter is a very handy little soldering tool. Use it to cut long component legs, or to strip the end of a wire.
They also go under the names flush-cutters, diagonal cutters, electronic snippers, clippers, etc.
I’ve never put much money into this tool. The cheapest available is usually good enough for most things. For example this one from Hakko.
I’m old-school and prefer to use a wire cutter. But you can also consider making your life easier with a wire stripper.
Soldering Tools For Desoldering
Sometimes you make a mistake. Or you need to replace a component in a circuit. This means you have to desolder to fix it.
There are two tools I use for desoldering: The solder sucker and the solder wick.
Solder sucker
The solder sucker, or solder pump, is a mechanical vacuum pump. It sucks the solder away from the solder joint. Just heat the solder joint to make the solder fluid, then suck it off with the solder sucker. I use this tool when I need to remove a lot of solder at once.
Here’s a nice bundle with both a solder sucker and a solder wick.
Solder wick
The solder wick is another tool for removing solder. It’s made up of copper threads that will absorb the solder from the solder joint.
I use the solder wick for removing small amounts of solder. For example to remove “solder bridges” between pins on a chip. Or if there’s a bit of solder left on a bigger solder joint that the solder sucker just won’t suck.
Here’s a nice bundle with both a solder sucker and a solder wick.
Tweezers
Tweezers are great. You can use them to keep components in their place and to avoid burning your fingers when soldering.
If you ever soldering surface mount components, these are very useful for placing small components.
USB Microscope
My USB microscope has been invaluable in some debugging situations with fine pitch components. With this you can for example discover tiny solder joints between pins that are not supposed to be there. This is also very useful for people who has problems with they eyesight.
This is not something that has to cost hundreds of dollars. You can find microscopes that are good enough for less than 50 bucks. For example this USB microscope for electronics that has gotten a lot of great reviews.
Wet Sponge
A wet sponge is very useful for cleaning the tip of the soldering iron. The tip is hot which means it will oxidize very fast and get dirty. A clean tip transfers heat faster and makes your soldering easier.
A sponge is so cheap anyway, so you should always keep one together with your other soldering tools.
Note that if you buy a soldering iron stand, a sponge is usually included.
Soldering Stand
A soldering iron gets hot, so it’s important to place it in a safe way in between soldering. A soldering iron stand is very handy for this. Since it takes up a lot of space, I don’t bring mine when travelling, but I always have one at my desk in Norway.
It only costs around 5 bucks, so I think it’s worth having one. Here’s a soldering iron stand from Elenco that is perfect for a hobbyist.
Safety Glasses
A pair of safety glasses is something I really recommend when soldering. Okay, I admit that I don’t *always* use them myself. But, the consequences of getting hot soldering splashed into your eye can be terrible. So, please use them. And I will also do my best at remembering to use them from now on.
A pair of normal glasses is better than nothing. But if you want to look like a scientist, here’s a reasonably priced pair from Amston.
Where Do You Buy Soldering Tools?
The tools you need can usually be bought at your local hardware store. But you can also buy the tools from an online shop. I’ve created a list of recommended places to get tools and components for electronics.
You can find the list here: Where To Buy Electronic Components And Tools?
If there are any tools you are using that you can’t find on the list, let me know in the comments field below.
John says
You should never use wire cutters to remove insulation as you may nick the conductor and make a weak point where it might break if flexed, Always use wire strippers that are designed to not nick the wire.
admin says
Thanks for your comment John =)
I always use a wire cutter. After a while you get the feel for it.
But I agree that wire strippers are the more “proper” way to go.
Øyvind
John says
Just a fallback to my days at NASA when any conductors that were nicked were rejected.
admin says
At NASA you should definitely make sure you do it the right way ;)
joe says
pls i want to build 10v power circuit and i need help on the conpunent to use.
admin says
Hey, not sure what you mean.. You want to design a DC-DC converter?
You could start with a 10V regulator and learn from the datasheet which components to use. For example this one: http://www.jameco.com/1/1/30690-lm2940t-10-0-nopb-lm2940-10v-1-5a-220-low-drop-out-regulator.html
Cheers!
Oyvind
Kevin says
Hello..the wire connecting the battery of my tablet to the main circuit board is removed.please how do i solder it back?
admin says
Hey
Tin the wires from the battery by heating the wire with your iron and applying a bit of solder. Do the same to the pads where the wires are going to be soldered. Put the wire to the pad and heat with iron.
Cheers!
Oyvind
Julio Cesar Torres says
Next to my soldering station, I always keep these items at hand: solder sucker, solder wick, pliers, wire cutters, safety glasses and mask, and a third hand. To check out my work I usually have a multimeter and a set of magnifying lenses.
admin says
That’s a good setup!
Oyvind
Divya says
Hey, can you please help me out to find out , define and establish a standard that tells the appropriate range of Soldering iron temp with respect to different Wire AWG (12AWG to 28
AWG)
admin says
Sorry, I don’t know much about that.
pprao says
pse send any electronic circuits audio
Brekins Eyinmosan says
Hi guy,
please i need help for my project.i am working on a self power flywheel free energy generator .i need a power stabilizer unite that can supply a constant voltage to the electric motor that runs the alternator that supply the power to the motor and other source of equipment . the problem i have with this system is that if i run the system alone without external load it work very will, but with addition load the system volt drop which will reduce the speed of the electric motor .
Guy,s please i need a system that can increase the speed of the motor if there is a load on the alternator, because with load on the alternator the system slow down the speed of the motor. what i am looking for is something like a ( varactor) that will since a decrease power supply to the motor and automatically compensate the losses of power supply back to the motor.
Best Regards
Brekins.
Katie says
I’m a first year doing technology homework and I need the names of equipment but in a simple way coz I’m new to this
AT says
• soldering iron
• stand
• sponge (wet)
• solder
• wire cutter
• safety goggles
Hope this helps! (I wrote this straight from my homework)
Zac says
a free energy device will never work unless you mean solar energy, wind energy or using currents etc. a perpetual motion machine is never possible.
Howard Reynolds says
Hi there, quick question here. I am in Jamaica and our appliances operate at 50hz as against 60hz in the United States. How can it get my garage door motor i imported to work properly here in Jamaica?
admin says
Often, the hertz doesn’t matter. But if you’re seeing issues, the first thing I would do is to ask the manufacturer. It’s hard to say anything about it without knowing the circuitry inside.
Betty Hunt says
All the soldering tools are worthy to read. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful blog.
west auckland electrician says
Soldering Iron the bestfriends of every electrician or IT students.