When it comes to Soldering, most professions are often familiar with this process. Jewelers, metal workers, roofers, and electronic technicians are all familiar with solder. Solder is a metal alloy that has a low melting point and can fuse two metal pieces. What is used to melt this metal alloy is what is known as a soldering iron.
Soldering metal alloy is mostly different depending on the profession.
- When it comes to jewelers, the metal alloy used is mostly silver.
- Electronics industries use tin alloy.
- Sheet metal and roofer workers use 50-50 alloy. The alloy is a solder that contains an equal amount of lead and tin.
Lead solder is a traditionally used alloy, but not preferred in modern days. The lead alloy due to its health hazard has not been in use by electronics technicians, home hobbyists, and plumbers.
Other tools like a solder gun or a solder pencil can melt solder. The soldering iron, unlike its counterparts, is the most preferred and used tool by many professions.
Soldering iron
A soldering iron is a tool used when soldering. The soldering iron supplies heat that melts the solder to ensure it can flow between joints of two workpieces.
Considering the soldering iron is accurate and does not ignite materials near the joints when soldering, it is the most preferred tool.
Different uses of a soldering iron:
1. A soldering iron is used in Soldering Metal Gutters.
Most homes are equipped with metal gutters. The metal gutters in your home are mostly joined and held together by solder. Like the tool used by roofers, the soldering iron is the most used in this type of work.
2. A soldering iron is used in soldering wires to Circuit Boards
For electrical continuity to take place, two wires need to be in contact. A soldering iron is used to connect these wires using solder and also attach these wires to the circuit board. A soldering pencil can also perform the work.
3. A soldering iron is used in Soldering Roofing.
For two galvanized metal to fuse, solder is used by roofers for flashing. Roofers use soldering iron to melt the solder that is used in combining copper components in roofs. Since accuracy is not essential, the roofing soldering irons contain broad tips that heat up faster and can retain heat during windy conditions.
4. A soldering iron is used in Soldering Mosaic and Stained Glass
Workers in the Stained-glass trade have, in the past, used solder made of lead, but currently, lead-free solders are becoming more common in stained glass, mosaic sculptures and window making. The primary tool, usually in use, is a soldering iron (100 wats).
5. An electrician uses a soldering iron in Soldering
Since electrical continuity is guaranteed, most electricians regularly use solder in splicing wires when performing commercial wiring. They also use a soldering iron to melt solder infusing of wires inside electrical devices to electrical terminals.
Most of us wonder if the soldering iron can be used in other ways apart from Soldering.
Can Soldering irons be used on leather?
Well, the answer to the questions is yes.
The use of soldering iron on leather
Leather
leather is a durable and flexible material, made by tanning animal’s skins and rawhide.
Leather has so many uses in both traditional and modern days. Some being:
- Bindings
- Cuir Bouilli
Cuir bouilli, is a French word meaning boiled leather, was traditionally used in creating body amour. It can also be used for:
- Making of Saddles
- Making of clothing
- Making of Furniture
- Making of Watch wrist straps
- Making of Sports equipment
- Making of Bags, purses, and wallets
- Making of Accessories
With all these uses, leather is one of the most used products.
Have you ever wondered how these leather products have imprinted art in them? Do you wonder how writing or drawing of leather products is possible?
If you have, this process of burning leather to make art is known as Leather Pyrography.
LEATHER PYROGRAPHY
The method of burning leather to make art usually is satisfying to an artist. There lies various aspects in art, which depends with an artist. various tools are used to highlight the differnt aspects. A simple tool like soldering iron can help in creating numerous effects, and tones can be created on leather easily!
Process of leather pyrography
1. Selecting Leather
This process of Leather Pyrographing requires selecting the best type of leather to work with. Tooling leather, also called Vegetable-tanned leather, is the best in art burning.
This tooling leather, unlike other leather types, is the most preferred as it does not produce harmful gas when burned.
Tooling leather also has the right thickness. If you use leather that is too thin, you will observe wrinkles which are as a result of the heat.
2. Using the soldering iron on the leather
The soldering iron can get to high degrees, but when using on leather, it is advisable to use low heats. Next, you should build upon the heat in a circular motion while working on the tooling leather. Slow-moving will create a darker burn; thus, the soldering iron should run on the tooling leather at the same pace.
Since it is quite hard to make lines as you would do with a pen, it is advisable to move at a quick pace, creating a circular motion, to slowly build the tones. This way, you can make an imprint and art that you desire.
For those not great at calligraphy or drawing, don’t worry.
- First, you need to find a paper to write or draw on.
- Second, you need to find the fonts you desire and start drawing/writing.
- Next, you need to print it out or trace the drawing/ writings on your tooling leather.
- Use your soldering iron to curve up the traced drawing on your leather.
Final Thoughts
You do not have to be an electrician, roofer, or jeweler to use the soldering iron. Anyone with a liking to art can also use this tool on leather and even on wood burning.
