Solder is a low-melting metal alloy used to join other metals or wires. Soldering tools include irons, stands, pliers, and safety goggles. Welding tools include guns, torches, and hot air pencils, each with unique features for different applications.
Solder—pronounced SAW dur: you don’t say L—is a metal alloy that can fuse with other metals when melted to create a joint. Solder is characterized by having a relatively low melting point. Welding means “joining or fusion by welding” and this process can be done using a variety of welding tools. Soldering is used to connect pieces of metal or wires and has applications in jewelry making or repair, stained glass window making, electrical work to make an electrical contact, plumbing to seal pipe joints, and automotive repair, for example. example. Welding is distinguished from welding mainly by the temperature (welding is a hotter process) and therefore by the tools used.
Welding tools include both those tools developed specifically for the welding task and tools designed for other tasks that can be rerouted to welding when needed. In addition to the tool that melts the alloy, a number of auxiliary tools aid in the process. These include soldering iron tips to vary the size of the area the heat is directed to, a soldering iron stand so you can safely set down the soldering iron in hot weather and clean the tip, needle nose pliers and wire strippers if you’re working with wire , clips and clamps to hold the work, safety goggles to protect the eyes and exhaust fan to remove fumes.
There are several tools used for manual welding. Soldering irons come in low-wattage and high-wattage versions, as well as a variable-temperature version that gives you control over the heat setting. Soldering irons heat up and cool down quickly and are widely available.
A welding gun is a welding tool shaped much like a hand drill, using a trigger switch for one-handed operation. The welding gun cools down so fast that it doesn’t need a stand. The tip is a wire loop, which is easy to manipulate but needs regular replacement. The electromagnetic spike caused by trigger release can also be problematic.
Welding torches, which may use propylene, acetylene, or other fuels, are also welding tools. Jewelers use welding torches for metals that require higher heat than soldering irons and soldering guns. These include copper, gold and sterling silver.
Hot air pencils are very light soldering tools. Some are designed with self-contained airflow in the one-piece set, which also has somewhere to store your pencil, so you don’t need an extra holder. The slim design helps keep the area you’re working on visible and was created for non-contact welding of precision parts, especially those that are delicate or heat sensitive.
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