Question Soldering advice

[egderic]

Hi there,

I'm looking to replace some broken USB ports on my case. I have: Replacement USB ports, solder wire, desoldering wick, and a soldering iron. Do I need anything more?
I saw on some videos, some people use a heat gun. It this absolutely necessary?

What about safety precautions? Is there toxic fumes I need to worry about?

 

[USAFRet]

Do I need anything more?

Practice, on non essential components.

 

[egderic]

I figured I'd practice on two of my tower's front USB ports: They're broken, and I'm switching to a new tower anyway. After which, I can fix a front USB port on my partner's computer.

 

[kanewolf]

I figured I'd practice on two of my tower's front USB ports: They're broken, and I'm switching to a new tower anyway. After which, I can fix a front USB port on my partner's computer.

Remember that the metal you are soldering has plastic all around. Very easy to melt plastic by overheating the metal to be soldered.

 

[TerryLaze]

What about safety precautions? Is there toxic fumes I need to worry about?

Yes, you should use a fan that blows over the aerea you are working on to not breath in the fumes.
Doesn't matter that much for once in a while and short durations.

With an iron you could have a really hard time getting things done, depending on the PCB it can soak up a lot of heat which is why many use a gun.

You need a lot of experience with soldering to change a usb port without screwing everything up.

 

[egderic]

So I should use a heat gun instead of a soldering iron?
Edit: I'm thinking I need some kind of project with cheap materials to practice with, I'm just not sure what that would look like.

 

[kanewolf]

So I should use a heat gun instead of a soldering iron?

For something as small as USB, a soldering pencil would be the best choice. As low wattage as possible.

 

[TerryLaze]

Yeah, if it's on a small break away pcb than a small iron/pen will work fine.

 

[USAFRet]

So I should use a heat gun instead of a soldering iron?

And this is why practice is key.

Iron, pen, gun, heat gun....all different, and all have their place.

 

[Ralston18]

And a nice, solid, secure holder for what ever heat source you use.

Not fun when the hot tool moves on its' own when set aside for a moment......

 

[digitalgriffin]

For something as small as USB, a soldering pencil would be the best choice. As low wattage as possible.

I agree. A narrow point 15W will do the job.

Clean the tip, tin it. Have a wet sponge ready. You can pick away the material with a wick strip. Or you can use a suction gun. I have both.

Heat guns are useful for removal of old work. But you have to be judicious with their use. It depends on the component.

When putting on the new piece use a toothpick anf apply non corrosive flux to the solder point. If it's surface mount pre-tin and use a heat gun. Otherwise hold on place with self closing tweezers to hold the component through the holes. Add wet cotton balls around the sides if you might burn other components. Magnifying glass/second hand clamps will help. $5-$15

Everyone is right though. Practice. It's a skill. I've burnt a few pcbs in my time. They have practice boards on Amazon/fleebay on the cheap.

 

[TerryLaze]

Everyone is right though. Practice. It's a skill. I've burnt a few pcbs in my time. They have practice boards on Amazon/fleebay on the cheap.

You (we all) have even cheaper practice boards in your own trash, just take apart any broken device you have and have at it.