Hot Air Rework vs. Desoldering Stations: Which One Should You Choose?

There are a few key differences between hot air rework stations and desoldering stations. First, and most notable, is the size of the two different stations. The hot air stations tend to be much larger than the desoldering stations. Thus, to work with hot air, you will need to bring the defective parts to the station. In comparison, the desoldering station can be brought to the parts, which offers much more flexibility. Another noticeable difference between the two stations is their price tag. A hot air station will often carry a heftier price tag because it includes more features and extras than desoldering stations. The key is to find the specific tool that is best for your application needs. Choosing the right tool for the job will save you countless time and money in the long run.

A hot air rework station has many benefits. Because it uses hot air, the station is great for very quick and easy jobs where, perhaps, just one component needs to be removed from a printed circuit board (PCB). The opposite is also true, adding a single part to a PCB is also extremely simple by utilizing hot air to quickly and efficiently return the board to working order. This tool can also be used to fit heat shrink onto wires making it an extremely versatile device.

A desoldering station also offers many benefits for specific applications. These stations provide a great deal of precision with their many features. Their compact size allows these stations to be much more mobile and makes for easier clean up at the end of a job. The simplicity of a desoldering station also makes it an asset to some. Why pay for all the bells and whistles when you only need the device for its basic uses? Desoldering Stations help make reworking PCBs an easier task.

Both types of rework stations offer a variety of benefits and shortfalls. By doing your research you can discover which device fits best in your specific day-to-day needs.

QSource.com offers a wide selection from JBC Tools and Weller®.

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New Brady Infographics Focus on Traceability

We're always looking for new sources of informational and entertaining resources to share with you. Today, from our friends over at Brady, we have two new infographics focusing on traceability and polyimides/ESD.

Brady's "FIND THE VALUE OF TRACEABILITY IN MANUFACTURING" focuses on the process you need to take to be able to track a part, product, or component through a manufacturing routine. (Click the image for the complete, full-size graphic.)

The second information-packed infographic, "PCB LABELS: PROPERTIES YOU NEED FOR YOUR PROCESS," provides details about the label properties you will need for a PCB traceability process. (Click the image for the complete, full-size graphic.)

We hope these beautifully done infographics will help you learn all you need for your traceability applications. If you have questions about traceability please let us know and we’ll get you the answers.

Q Source has been an official distributor for Brady products since 1984. If you have further questions about these products, or need help placing an order, you may also contact us at 800-966-6020 or via email and one of our Brady experts will be happy to assist you.

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Weller's New Consumer Soldering Irons: High-Performance Soldering PLUS Lights!

How do you make a Weller high-performance soldering iron even cooler? You add LED lights to it! Among the impressive specs of the new "red dot" Design award-winning Weller High-Performance Consumer Soldering Irons are the three built-in, temperature-resistant LEDs that deliver light to the application.

Available in four wattage models (15, 25, 40, and 80) and six packages (the 25- and 40-watt irons are available in kits), Weller's new soldering irons offer light-, standard-, medium-, and heavy-duty solutions. The new irons offer a low-cost entry into soldering for DIY and hobbyists.

Weller added the superior-life LED technology to their Consumer Soldering Irons to respond to customer feedback for application illumination. The three high-intensity LEDs provide 30-degree focused light at 25 Lumens/ft² light intensity with no tip shadowing. With a flashlight strength beam length, these powerful LEDs eliminate the need for an alternate light source.

These innovative new products, the Weller SP15NUS 15-Watt High-Performance Light-Duty LED Soldering Iron, the SP25NUS 25-Watt High-Performance Standard-Duty LED Soldering Iron, the SP25NKUS 25-Watt High-Performance Standard-Duty LED Soldering Iron Kit, the SP40NUS 40-Watt High-Performance Medium-Duty LED Soldering Iron, the SP40NKUS 40-Watt High-Performance Medium-Duty LED Soldering Iron Kit, and the Weller SP80NUS 80-Watt High-Performance Heavy-Duty LED Soldering Iron all share the following common features:

• Three high-temperature, long-life, 5 mm LEDs (at 25 lumens/ft²) that provide enhanced soldering accuracy and application illumination
• A co-molded, soft-grip ribbed handle design that reduces slippage and maximizes comfort
• The round handle and triangular area work together for ease of tip rotation and greater tip control
• Stainless-steel, high-performance heater technology
• An industry-leading 7-year warranty
• A cord strain relief for extended life
• UL Listed – cUL available

The irons differ in their heat ratings (the 15-watt and 25-watt models provide heat up to 750° F, the 40-watt goes to 900° F, and the 80-watt reaches 950° F), and in their recommended application use. Please see the chart below for tips on Choosing the Right Soldering Tool:

Part Number:	SP15N	SP25N	SP40N	SP80N
Duty:	Light Duty	Standard Duty	Medium Duty	Heavy Duty
Power:	15 Watts	25 Watts	40 Watts	80 Watts
Soldering Wire Connections:	<18 AWG 0.04" dia	<12 AWG 0.08" dia	<8 AWG 0.13" dia	<4 AWG 0.20" dia
Compatible Tips:	S5 (included), S3, S31, S32	MT1 (included), MT2, MT3, HK11	MT10 (included), ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, HK12	MTG20 (included), MTG21, MTG22
Microcomponents, Electronic Kits, Low-Voltage Wiring:	•	ο	x	x
Printed Circuit Boards, Radio Controlled, Indoor Lighting:	ο	•	ο	x
Hobby Models, Small Applicance, Small Engine Repair, Crafts:	x	ο	•	x
Audio Systems, Electrical, Marine, Jewelry, Automotive:	x	x	ο	•
Heat Sink, Ground Plane, Metal Art, Plumbing:	x	x	x	•
Choose the Right Soldering Tool: • = Recommended, ο = Acceptable, x = Not Recommended * IMPORTANT: Use only Weller tips

Weller Consumer Soldering Irons include an appropriate tip, iron stand, and user manual. The two kit versions include those items plus a soldering aid tool, lead-free solder, and two spare tips.

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