What You Need to Start Soldering

Soldering is a skill you can pick up in an afternoon if you have the right basics. This checklist covers the tools and materials worth having, what is optional, and how to set up safely so your first joints go well.

The essentials

1. A soldering iron or station

An adjustable-temperature iron is the most forgiving option for electronics, and a station adds a stand and a clearer temperature setting. Our guide to choosing a soldering iron goes into the differences. You can browse options in the soldering equipment category.

2. A stand

The iron must rest somewhere safe between joints. Many irons include a stand, but check, because cheap bundles sometimes skimp on stability.

3. Solder

Use solder made for electronics with a flux core. It comes as leaded or lead-free. Leaded is easier to melt and flow, but lead is a toxic metal, so handle it carefully, wash your hands after soldering, and never eat or drink at your bench. Lead-free avoids lead but needs higher temperatures. Do not use plumbing solder or acid flux on electronics, as it corrodes components and boards.

4. A tip cleaner

Brass wool or a damp sponge keeps the tip clean. A clean tip is the biggest single factor in joint quality.

5. Side cutters

Small flush cutters trim component leads after soldering. Wear eye protection when doing this, as clipped leads can fly.

6. Safety glasses and ventilation

Solder can spit and wire ends can fly. Flux smoke irritates the eyes, nose and lungs, so work in a ventilated room, keep your face out of the fumes, and consider a small fume extractor if you solder often.

Highly useful extras

• Helping hands or a PCB holder: Holds the board steady so both of your hands are free.
• Desoldering pump or braid: Removes solder when you make a mistake, which every beginner does.
• Tweezers: Hold small parts and wires.
• Wire strippers: For preparing hook-up wire.
• A multimeter: Checks continuity and finds shorts or open joints. See the test equipment and multimeters available.
• Extra flux: Improves flow, especially for desoldering and repair work.
• A heat-resistant mat: Protects your table from burns and drips.

If you would rather buy a bundle than assemble a list, look at the electronics tool kits and read the beginner soldering kit buying guide to see what a good starter set should include.

Set up your workspace

Choose a stable, uncluttered table in a well-ventilated area with good lighting. Keep flammable materials such as paper and solvents away. Place the iron stand where you will not knock it, with the cord routed so you will not snag it. Tie back long hair and loose sleeves. Keep children and pets out of the room while the iron is hot.

A basic first joint

1. Set the iron to a suitable temperature for your solder and let it heat fully.
2. Clean and lightly tin the tip.
3. Touch the tip so it contacts both the pad and the component lead at the same time.
4. After a second or two, feed solder to the joint, not the tip.
5. Remove the solder, then the iron, and hold still while it cools.
6. Inspect: a good joint is smooth, shiny (for leaded solder) and shaped like a small cone around the lead.

Common mistakes include too little heat, dirty tips, and moving the part before the solder solidifies. Dull, lumpy joints usually mean the metal did not get hot enough.

Practice before real projects

Buy some inexpensive scrap boards or a practice kit, and solder resistors and wire until your joints look consistent. Then move to a simple kit. A learning kit such as the Make: Electronics component kits pairs hands-on projects with explanation, while a solderless prototyping setup is handy for testing circuits before you commit to soldering them.

Finishing up

When you are done, tin the tip with fresh solder, turn off and unplug the iron, and let it cool on its stand before storing. Wash your hands, especially if you used leaded solder. With a safe setup and a few basics, you can start building real circuits right away.