Microsoldering
Contents
Background information
Uses the same skill set as Soldering just on a smaller scale typically with the aid of magnification such as a microscope or Trinocular len
due to the precision often required for mircosoldering.
What tools you will need
Items are not listed in any particular order
Required
- Adjustable temperature soldering iron
- Extraction fan for solder fumes
- Soldering wire (lead free or leaded)
- Soldering flux
- Non-magnetic Tweezer set
- Digital microscope
- Set of soldering iron tips
- Solder iron tip cleaner
- Soldering iron holder
Optional but useful
- Desoldering wick
- 99% isopropyl alcohol
- Squeeze bottle
- Cotton buds(q-tips)
- lint free cotton pads
- Latex-free gloves
- Heat-resistant mat
- Heat-resistant helping hands
- Non-magnetic Tweezer set
- Digital microscope
- Set of files (rounded, circular and flat)
- Desk vice
Uses of this skill
- 1. Replacing broken or damaged connectors
- 2. Soldering bridging wires in order to bypass components
- 3. Desoldering/removal of damaged small components
- Reference 1: (free)Ifixit mircosoldering school day 1
- Reference 2: (free)day 2
- Reference3: (free)day 3
- Reference: (free)day 4
Step-by-step guide with images
Step one, Enabling the fume extractor to ensure any hazardous fumes are removed (if you are able to smell the fumes then your extractor is not working correctly).

Step two, Set the tempreture of your soldering iron to 200C/395F for lead-free 183C/361F for leaded solder (these are not exect numbers you may have to adjust according to your needs and tools).

Step threeAlign the mircoscope to the are you going to be working on

Step Five, Completely cover the tip of the iron with fine layer of solder to "tin" it(this will help with heat transfer and protect the tip).

Step Six, Place the item your soldering in the postion you want to solder it to.

Step Six, Gentlely place the solder wire on the area to be soldered, then touch the tip of the of the wire till the connection is covered in molten solder.(for hot air and IR soldering please see Hot air gun)

Step Seven, Clean up the area with desoldering wick or lint free cotton buds and 99% isopropyl alcohol.(this just ensures the area is clean and less chance of issues)

Step Eight, Check the connection is secure by gentlely pulling or pushing on the soldered item, to see if it moves.(soldered items should not move)

Flow chart of order of operations

Troubleshooting/tips and tricks
Q: Im struggling to place the the part or tip exectly where I want it?
A: Traditional microscopes lack depth perception(similar to closing one eye)
this can be fixed through the use of Trinocular microscope or by practice)
Related Topics
Topics such as desoldering to chip off or firmware dumping for disk PCB repairs
Further reading
External references in wiki references can just be cited through the keyword link
all of these links with will have backup internet archive links, they are able to be created.