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Hand-pieces / Soldering Gun |
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This is what I refer to as the soldering �gun�. It was a pistol type soldering iron I bought years ago and never really used it, favoring the more traditional type of irons. This particular style lent itself very well for this application as I wanted to install the hand-piece control switch (SW2) into the body.
As you can see, SW2 is a micro push button N.O. switch. It was installed in the �trigger� location. This has proven to be VERY convenient for operation. The heating element was removed and replaced with a two piece turned brass conductor. The conductor consists of a main base assembly built into the housing and a removable electrode holder. The holder screws into the base using 3/8 -14 threads. It was turned from and old brass punch with a hex shank. It�s about 3/8� in diameter and 3�long. The holder is drilled to accept 1/8� carbon tips. The carbon tip is held in place with a 6-32 set screw. The two piece feature allows me to build holders for larger or smaller soldering tips. I also found some indestructible stainless steel sheathing for the wire leads. It stops the main and the smaller control wiring form tangling up. The banana plug plugs into one binding post while a simple �ground� lead plugs into the other. The ground lead has a copper alligator clip for clamping on the work piece. Also note the two prong plug for the hand-piece control switch (SW2). All fittings are custom turned brass. |
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The tips are made from carbon rods. I get from the local welding supply shop. They are called carbon gouging rods or copper clad pointed electrodes and come in several different diameters. I break a 2� length off and sharpen then in a normal pencil sharpener. |
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One last device I use in conjunction with the soldering gun is a layout or grounding plate. It was constructed from a �� thick steel plate with �fences� bolted to the top and one side. The fences are 1�� angle iron. A binding post was installed on the upper right side. The plate is then plugged into the station with a single conductor cable with banana leads soldered on each end. This is very useful when laying out frames or building boxes, etc. I bought some rare earth magnets to hold the pieces in place while soldering. |
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CONSTRUCTION HOME HANDPIECES (TWEEZERS) |
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