In the work of an electrician or radio electronics, one of the important tools is a soldering iron. It can be made in the shape of a pen. Such devices are sold in specialized stores. If for some reason you cannot use a conventional soldering iron, you can use a portable model. And you can do it yourself.
A self -assembled battery-powered soldering iron will look different from the purchased tool. However, in terms of functionality, it will not be inferior to the equipment models presented for sale. How to create such a soldering iron, it will be interesting to learn for every electrician.
Purpose of a portable soldering iron
A battery powered mini-soldering iron is designed for almost all types of electromechanical work. If other types of such equipment have a clear specialization, this device is capable of performing many different operations. So, with its help, it will be possible to solder the wires, work with the radiator, restore the functions of the network connector, etc.
A portable soldering iron is especially convenient when carrying out electrical operations with small parts. It can be microcircuits, small electronic devices (clocks, timers, etc.). It is also used to create home-made chargers for phones, tablets and other gadgets. In electronics, many operations are also performed using a small portable soldering iron.
With the independent manufacture of the presented equipment, you can achieve high quality soldering iron. Also, the cost of a portable soldering iron will be much less than that of purchased models.
Features
A homemade battery- powered soldering iron will have little power. This indicator will not exceed 40 watts. However, for full-fledged work this is enough. It can be used in a small workshop where there is no place for using a stationary tool. Such equipment is useful in conditions where it is not possible to connect the soldering iron to the mains.
Portable devices are also suitable for operations with sensitive parts and elements of various devices. Soldering irons of this type are used in their work by jewelers, watch repair masters and even dentists. The battery charge is usually enough for more than 300 rations.
The only drawback of homemade portable soldering irons is their appearance. He will not compete with the stylish design of purchased appliances. However, in many functional indicators, such an instrument will win.
Materials and Tools
To make a mini-soldering iron with batteries yourself , you will need to prepare some tools and equipment. This will be a simple device that is useful in the process of soldering wires, microcircuits, etc. Its power will be about 25-40 watts. To create the tool yourself, you will need the following:
- pliers;
- stationery knife and scissors;
- copper wire;
- copper foil;
- nichrome thread ;
- insulating tape;
- metal cavity for the heater body;
- silicate glue;
- handle made of wood or plastic, resistant to heat;
- talc;
- 2 finger batteries.
After the preparatory phase, you can begin to work.
All its stages must be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions of professional masters. In this case, the quality of the soldering iron will be high.
If you could not find a thin sheet of copper, you can do without it. It is replaced with foil fiberglass. For this, the sheet must be heated with an iron. The edge of the foil must be screwed onto the rod. As the iron moves along the plane of the sheet, the metal sheet is wound in the form of a tube. The foil must be wound carefully, avoiding its breaks.
Making a sting
Creating a soldering iron from batteries with your own hands, you should start by making its main element (tip). This will require a sufficiently thick piece of copper wire. On the one hand, its end must be sharpened at the optimum working angle. This procedure is carried out using a clerical knife. The edge of the wire can also be processed with a file of fine grain.
The shape of the sharpening usually takes the form of the tip of a screwdriver (resembles a spatula). The working surface has a dihedral configuration. Its bevel should be about 45º. Typically, the thickness of the tip is about 5 mm in the area of the working surface.
If you want to create a miniature soldering iron, the thickness of the presented element can be only about 2 mm. Such a needle sting should be sharpened in the shape of a cone. If special work is required, the wire size may be different. The shape of the sting may also vary. For example, the tip may have any configuration or thickness.
The working surface must be covered with solder (thin layer). Over time, in the process, such a layer will have to be applied again.
Electrical insulating mass
Considering how to make a mini-soldering iron on batteries, you should pay attention to the procedure for making an electrically insulating mixture. To do this, glue (silicate) is required. It is mixed with talcum powder. You should get a mass with a viscosity similar to liquid sour cream. This solution must be applied with tweezers to the cylindrical part of the sting. This action can also be performed with an inert plate of sufficient rigidity.
The mixture of talc with silicate glue is very sticky. This complicates the work a bit. Therefore, on top of it should be poured a little powder of talcum powder. This will avoid sticking the solution.
The first step in creating a heating element
Do-it-yourself soldering iron from batteries has a special heating element. For its manufacture, a tube made of copper foil is put on a previously prepared sting. Its length should be 3 cm. A sting should exit the tube. Its open part should not be more than 1 cm.
This design should be coated with a thin layer of the previously prepared electrically insulating mass. The structure must be dried over a gas or electric burner. The temperature should be about 150º. The layer of applied material will bake and become hard.
Then a thin nichrome wire 0.2 mm in diameter must be wound around the heating element. It will take about 35 cm. A spiral of wire is wound very carefully. The coils should fit snugly together.
The straight ends of the wire extend beyond the heating element. One of them should have a length of 3 cm, and the other - 6 cm.
The second stage of creating a heating element
A battery-powered soldering iron needs a heating element with the required technical characteristics. The work of the equipment will depend on the quality of manufacture of this part. After the winding, it is covered with an electrically insulating mass. The drying process over the hotplate is repeated.
When the glue solution with talcum powder dries, the left end of the wire 6 cm long must be placed behind the body of the heating element. It is tightly attached to the body of the tube. Next, an electrically insulating layer is again applied. The drying procedure is repeated.
On this, the manufacturing procedure of the heating element is almost complete. The only thing the master has to do is cover the outgoing ends of the wire with an electrically insulating mixture. It is applied to the wire at half length. Then the solution is dried over the hotplate.
Tool assembly
There is a certain assembly sequence of pre-prepared items of portable equipment. It must be carefully considered before making a soldering iron out of the battery and the above tools.
The ends of the heating element must be connected to the batteries. This can be done with two small copper wires. The joints must be wrapped with electrical tape. The connected batteries should be placed in the prepared case. It can be wooden or plastic.
To work with such a tool was more convenient, you can make a stand for it yourself. Before you begin, you must check the build quality. This model can be made with a power cord. In this case, a step-down transformer 220 / 12V will be required.
User reviews
A homemade battery- powered soldering iron, reviews of which are provided by users, is made quickly enough. There are other methods for creating the presented equipment. The above procedure is one of the simplest. Therefore, it is suitable even for a novice master.
Creating a portable mini soldering iron will cost relatively inexpensive. If all materials are at hand, it is not difficult to assemble a tool. However, for those who do not have enough time or skills, it is recommended to purchase a ready-made soldering iron in a specialized store.
Users note that when performing all points of creating a portable tool, the finished product is an order of magnitude different from purchased counterparts. The device will not have an elegant appearance, but its functionality, durability and quality will be higher than that of average models of equipment sold for sale.
Stand Materials
A homemade battery soldering iron will be more comfortable to use with a stand. To make it, you will need a metal box or lid, as well as pieces of rectangular plywood. It is necessary to prepare wooden glazing beads, self-tapping screws, nails, as well as a W-shaped bracket.
The table on which the stand will be assembled needs to be covered (recommended by the newspaper). From plywood you need to cut the slats. One of them will be wide, and the other two narrow. The first bar will serve as the base of the stand. Two narrow strips of plywood are necessary for fixing the box.
If desired, holes can be drilled in one of the strips. Jars with improvised materials (soldering flux, rosin, solder) are inserted into them.
Stand assembly
When creating a battery- powered soldering iron , you should also properly assemble the stand for it. The metal box must be fixed with self-tapping screws on narrow plywood slats. Fasteners cut into the side walls.
The created structure must be firmly fixed on a wide bar of plywood. A W-shaped bracket made of tin is fastened opposite the jar openings with improvised materials. Here in the process, you can put a soldering iron.
A row of wooden glazing beams should be mounted under the plywood with a bracket. These will be stiffeners. A sponge made of special cellulosic material should be placed in the iron cover. It will be required during the soldering process to clean the tip.
Soldering iron stand ready. In it, you can install jars with rosin and solder. Using a homemade soldering iron in this case will be much more convenient.
Having considered how a battery-powered soldering iron is created, everyone will be able to independently assemble such equipment. If there is enough free time, even a novice master can perform this procedure. This will create a high quality device. It will function long and efficiently.