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Add soldering gear FAQ entry
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Hypfer committed Nov 8, 2023
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27 changes: 26 additions & 1 deletion Readme.md
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Expand Up @@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ This is just a hobby and if you're planning on picking up a hobby, you need to a
Soldering irons are cheap and there are a lot of guides on the Internets. It is impossible to be able to buy an $800
vacuum robot but don't have any more money to then pick up a used $5 soldering iron or just visit the local makerspace.

<br/><br/>
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That said, there are indeed people actually incapable of soldering on their own due to physical disabilities etc.
These are also the people I had in mind when I founded the PCB sharing group so that other users could then help there.
Expand All @@ -86,3 +86,28 @@ It also filters people who believe that every conceivable problem can be solved
And lastly, it would be a bad idea, because having bought some finished product makes people think that they're a paying
customer which can lead to attitude issues that have no business being anywhere near this project.

### Okay, fine, I'll solder myself. Can you recommend some soldering gear?

Dang, you got me. I'm probably not qualified to recommend stuff, but personally I've been using a MiniWare TS100
running the [Ralim/IronOS](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS) custom firmware which I bought because
"oh my god a soldering iron that can run a custom firmware". You might be able to relate to that.

It's neat. The digital temperature controls help me greatly and I also quite like how it's so small and can be powered
by any of the many DC power bricks lying around in my living space. Everything I need for soldering fits into a tiny box.

[<img src="./img/ts100.jpg" width=750>](./img/ts100.jpg)

Nowadays, judging by the IronOS readme, you'd probably want to buy a Pinecil V2 which has DC and USB-C inputs.<br/>
Check the readme of that project for up-to-date recommendations.

You'll then also need some kind of stand for it which will probably be an item the shop you're buying it from
will try to upsell you on anyway. Also, one of these copper sponges to take up excess solder.

For the solder itself, I'm still using an old spool with lead-based solder. You should probably **not** be doing that,
as lead is bad and there's no such thing as healthy levels of lead in your life.<br/>
The correct thing to do is to use lead-free solder with flux, which I will surely eventually pick up as well.

If you're soldering more stuff, you'll also want to look into fume extraction for which there are off-the-shelf solutions
as well as DIY ideas on the internet.
But just for this one PCB, you can probably maybe open a window, point a fan at you and hold your breath?<br/>
Just don't try to actively inhale the solder fumes.
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