Dry Solder Tip Cleaners

"Tip cleaner / tinner is good for the regeneration of oxidized tips, but the cleaning of your tips with one of these metal sponge stuff makes it almost superfluous in the first place. Rant # 25 692: Water rust / oxidize metal. Oxidized metal is not good heat transfer. Why the hell would you ever touch your soldering iron with a sponge and cold...

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The Tools For Soldering

The heat sources normally used for soldering are the electric soldering iron and the gas blowlamp. The once popular traditional flame-heated soldering iron is now rarely used.When deciding which tool to use you should remember that it is a waste of time trying to solder with a tool that is not powerful enough for the job. Equally well, one which is too powerful may heat up the solder too much and weaken the joint. For very delicate work, you will most likely need to use an electric soldering iron....

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Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet If you’re a welder — even an amateur — you probably already own a great welding helmet.  But what about friends who come over and want to “help?”  Do you have a helmet for them?  That’s a perfect time for a cheap-ass tool, and Harbor Freight has some deals that might interest you, like this auto-darkening...

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Vinyl Flooring Welding

988 Vinyl Welding Kit  960 Heat Weld GunThis industrial-quality electronic gun features precise heat, and comes with a pencil-tip nozzle 9#963), Triangular tip (#961) and round tip (#962). Our pencil tip nozzle and tips are standard size to fit other common guns, and are sold separately. The #979 is a universal tip for both Crain #960 or previous...

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The History of Welding Tools

In 1885, Nikolai Benardos and Stanislav Olszewski were granted a patent for an electric arc welder with a carbon electrode called the Electrogefest. Nikolai Benardos (Russia) and Stanislav Olszewski (Poland) are considered the inventors of modern welding apparatus. Definition of Welding According to Encyclopedia Britannica:"Welding is a technique...

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Universal Grinding Gauge

Made from heavy-duty 14ga stainless steel, the grinding gauge can check 55°, 60°, 90°, and 120° internal and 60°, 90°, and 120° external angles.  Silverline manufactures their tools for the UK so the etched graduations read in metr...

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What's the Difference Between a Soldering Iron and Gun?

Soldering is a technique that has many applications both industry related or recreational. Essentially, it is the process of melting a tin and copper mixture, called solder, so that it binds with other metals, but the tools can also be used to melt or cut other materials. The unique techniques for these applications involve a high level of craftsmanship, but can be learned quickly and perfected with practice. The two main tools used for this will be either a soldering iron or a soldering gun. Although...

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