Using a Soldering Iron Temperature Controller

As you become more skilled at soldering you may find that the number you have been setting you temperature control on no longer works the same.

Things that affect the temperature are:

1. Voltage of your iron.  That is all I can say about that.  Voltage is electricity and electricity is magic.  No one can explain magic!

2. Speed at which you solder.  More below.

3. Size of area or seam you are soldering.  Common sense.  (the least common of the senses!)

4. Cleanliness and overall condition of the tip. More common sense. 

So, I am referring to #2. As you get faster, your iron will operate differently.

Your temperature controller is similar to a dimmer switch. By dialing the control to a higher or lower setting, more or less electricity is fed to the iron. This increases or decreases the iron temperature.

The numbers on the dial are a reference scale to indicate higher or lower temperature settings.

To begin, adjust the dial to the 1/2-way setting. Wait approximately 15 minutes. If the solder flows quickly into a smooth puddle, your iron is probably operating at the correct temperature. Adjust accordingly. As you become faster, you may have to set the temperature control to a higher number as you are releasing the heat faster.