Frequently Asked Questions
|
We have organized our FAQs into 5 categories: General Resistance Soldering Solder Pot Soldering Iron Thermal Wirestripping
Are American Beauty® tools supported by the manufacturer by a warranty policy and repair service? Absolutely! Follow this link to learn all the details regarding our industry best Repair Service and Warranty Policy.
Can I buy American Beauty® tools directly from the factory? No. We sell exclusively to qualified resellers/solution providers with state reseller tax IDs. Our family of distributors includes National Tool Catalogs, Local, Service Oriented Suppliers, or Hobby Shops. We do not sell to end users.
How do I perform a continuity test? Make sure the item you are testing is not plugged in. Using a standard multi-meter, properly attach both test leads to the meter and touch the two test probes together to make sure it is reading properly. Most multi-meters will have a function setting that has either an analog needle or an audible beep to verify continuity. Touch one probe to each end of the item being tested and the multi-meter will show if there is continuity. You will find this test very useful when troubleshooting many of our products.
What is an MSDS? The letters stand for Material Safety Data Sheet. Most manufacturers of raw materials (solders, wires, fluxes, insulation, etc.) will have them available upon request.
What is desoldering & desoldering braid? Desoldering is a method of removing solder (or excess solder) from a pre-existent solder joint, using a variety of available tools or equipment. Some of the tools available include solder suckers, vacuum pumps and desoldering braid. Desoldering braid is braided copper that, when heated, pulls melted solder into it through a process called capillary action or 'wicking'. This natural wicking action is improved because of the flux on the braid. It is usually supplied on a spool or in a dispenser.
What kind of flux is in the American Beauty® Dri-Wick Desoldering Braid? American Beauty® Dri-Wick Desoldering Braid is impregnated with water-white rosin flux.
What should be done with the wick after it is saturated with solder? Cut the used wick from the spool and discard it in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Our Model 482 Desoldering Braid Wickgun has an integrated cutting mechanism that is extremely convenient and reduces the probability for contamination.
How do I apply the heat to activate the wicking action of the desoldering braid? With the end of the wick in direct contact with the solder joint, heat is applied approximately 1/2" above the joint using the tip of your American Beauty® Soldering Iron.
What is resistance soldering and how does it work? By passing a safe, low voltage, high amperage current through a resistive material we are able to generate an intense heat that can be controlled and localized. The heat that is being generated can then be efficiently used in a wide variety of soldering applications. There are three key components of resistance soldering:
What real advantages can I expect to see by using resistance soldering? Here are a few of the immediate
advantages you can expect to see.
Why should I choose American Beauty® resistance soldering equipment? American Beauty® resistance soldering products are proudly made in the USA and have proven themselves in industrial settings for over 50 years. We offer the widest selection of handpieces and electrodes, the best technical expertise and assistance and the safest and most durable power units. We understand and appreciate that you are often paying a higher upfront cost for this type of soldering system and therefore we work very hard to help you realize all of the benefits and savings involved with resistance soldering.
Where can I use resistance soldering? Most soldering applications can be performed using resistance soldering equipment, especially when you need to bring the intended joint to temperature rapidly to avoid thermal damage to surrounding components.
Is resistance soldering safe? Yes! The output voltage of all American Beauty resistance soldering equipment is low voltage AC Current. Unlike soldering irons, the elements and electrodes are only being heated during use and cool down quickly.
What WATTAGE American Beauty® Resistance soldering power unit should I use for my application? When making your purchase, it is
always a good idea to buy a unit with a higher maximum wattage than
is required for the current task in order to; A. Keep you from over taxing the power
unit. If you have any uncertainty regarding which wattage power unit is right for you, contact us with details of your application before you buy, and we will advise you as to the proper system to solve your soldering needs.
Do the electrodes used for resistance soldering require tinning? No. Soldering iron tips need to be tinned to assist in the transfer of heat into a solder joint. Electrodes (because of their resistive properties) generate heat within the solder joint. In fact the electrode materials have been specifically chosen because they do not readily accept solder.
How do I test the voltage output from my resistance soldering power unit? You can do this quite easily, using your always handy, multi-meter, with the function dial set to read AC voltage.
¡Ü Disconnect the handpiece from the
power unit, to allow access to the output receptacles or bolts.
How do I test the voltage
output from my resistance soldering handpiece? You can do this quite easily, using
your always handy, multi-meter, with the function dial set to read
AC voltage. ¡Ü Ensure that the handpiece is properly
connected to the American Beauty® power unit. If your handpiece
connects to the power unit via taper pins, make sure that each pin
is fully seated into the receptacle by turning them in a clockwise
direction while applying pressure. When ever you are operating an
American Beauty Resistance Soldering power unit at 50% of its available
output, or higher, you will need to cycle the unit so that the idle
time is equal to, or greater than the active time. For example,
if your power unit is set to 50% and it takes ten seconds to solder
a joint, you will need ten seconds or more of idle time before soldering
the next joint. This is to ensure the power unit is not over taxed
and to help keep the handpiece from over heating. You should periodically
check the handpiece and cabling for any excess accumulation of heat. You should never run the unit continuously on any setting for more than 20 seconds.
What does pre-tinning mean? Pre-tinning is the process of applying solder to metallic parts (generally the ends of wires) in order to improve the soldering process during the actual assembly application. This is often done using a solder pot.
How do I apply flux before pre-tinning? Flux is available in liquid form and can be applied by brushing, or by dipping the item into the flux. Avoid over fluxing the items and do not allow any excess flux to drip into the solder pot.
At what temperature should I set and run my solder pot? The temperature of your solder pot should be set to run at about 100-150°F above the liquid temperature of the solder you are using to make up for ambient heat loss and thermal recovery during normal use.
What type of solder should I put in my solder pot? It is best to use the same type of solder that you will be using during the assembly of the pre-tinned pieces. Never put rosin-core solder (solders containing flux) in your solder pot.
What form of solder should I put in my solder pot? The raw solder you use should be in bar or ingot form. Be careful not to splash molten solder, when you are replenishing the solder level in the pot. Never put rosin-core solder (solders containing flux) in your solder pot.
How do I know when the solder should be changed in my solder pot? Because there are such a wide variety
of materials and applications that a solder pot may be used for,
there is no simple answer to this question. However a good general
indication that it may be time to replace or clean the solder in
your pot is when you experience sluggishness or degraded performance
in your soldering application, while the operating temperature of
the pot remains correct. Why are there different wattages available for the same iron? A higher wattage iron will give you better thermal recovery than one of lower wattage. This is an important feature when you are performing an application that draws the heat out of the iron faster than it can produce it.
Why is my Soldering Iron vibrating? The soldering iron is operating on 50/60Hz, AC (Alternating Current) voltage. The vibration is caused by the Alternating Current passing through the nickel-chromium wire of the soldering iron's element and is most noticeable in the larger industrial size irons.
What is a "Paragon? soldering iron tip? Paragon Quality Soldering Iron Tips are the best tips made. The Paragon Tip is professionally machined from tellurium copper rod. It receives a heavy, uniform coat of electrolytic iron to help protect it from the deteriorating effects of soldering. The working surface is then expertly pre-tinned (the pre-tinned area is coated with “stop-off?to protect it from the finishing processes). The iron clad surface is then nickel plated and followed up with an overall special chrome-coat which, when in use, diffuses chemically with the nickel. It is this diffusion that gives the Paragon Tips shank its unique bond of a stainless steel-like alloy. All of these steps are taken to ensure you the longest operating life possible from your Paragon Quality Soldering Iron Tip.
Why is my soldering Iron no longer getting hot enough? This is usually a result of improper tip care. You must periodically remove the tip from the (cooled down) Soldering Iron and clean the oxidation from the shank. The oxidized layer slows heat transfer from the element.
Why should I use Soldering Irons with plug style tips? A plug style tip is seated inside of the soldering Irons heating element. This allows for more efficient heat transfer from the element through the tip, giving you a faster warm up and better thermal recovery.
Can I pull the tip part way out of the iron to extend my reach? No. The tip must remain fully seated into the element for efficient thermal transfer. An air pocket behind the tip can create a hot spot in the element, causing a premature failure, or burnout.
What does tip configuration mean? Configuration is the shape of the working portion of the tip. Some of the basic tip configurations available include conical, ballpoint, diamond (pyramid), chisel and spade. There are variations, or modifications of each of these families available to meet specific application requirements.
Can I modify the tip myself? That is not generally a good idea. Our (Paragon) tips go through a series of special plating processes to insure a longer operating life. Any modification to the tip would remove some, or all of the protective layers and drastically shorten the expected life of the tip.
For the most efficient transfer of heat, what is the best tip configuration to use? The standard chisel is usually the tip of choice for efficient thermal transfer from the heating element to the work. For soldering seams in corners the standard diamond tip is used in order to heat both conjoining surfaces. Lengthening, or turning down the diameter, of the tip will negatively affect its efficiency.
Can I use another brand of tip in my American Beauty Soldering Iron? Because they have not been manufactured to the tolerances and specifications of our Paragon Tips, we do not recommend using another brand of tips in our Soldering Irons. Using another brand may lead to problems with tip "freeze-up" or proper thermal transfer, caused by improper fit in the heating element.
Why do tips "freeze-up" in the Soldering Iron? The continuous oxidation of metal surfaces that occurs naturally, is magnified by the introduction of heat, flux and solder vapors. If the oxidation is not periodically cleaned from the shank of the tip and the inner wall of the heating element they will eventually “freeze-up? Once a tip freezes in the element it cannot usually be removed without causing damage.
Is there a way to regulate the temperature of an American Beauty® soldering iron? Why yes there is, thank you for asking. The temperature of any electrical heating device can be controlled, simply by regulating the supply voltage. The American Beauty® Model V 3600 was developed for just this purpose. The dial setting is marked to show percentage of input from 0-100% of the supply voltage. To verify the actual operating temperature, an external device will be needed. The Model V 3600 was manufactured for use with the Little Dandy, Pencil Style Irons, but can be used with other products as well (please direct any inquiries regarding other uses to our Technical Support Staff).
What is Thermal Wirestripping? The process of using heat to melt through the insulation on a wire to facilitate its removal.
How do your American Beauty® thermal wirestripping systems work? The elements in the thermal wirestripping handpiece are heated by the same principles as the electrodes used for resistance soldering. By passing a safe, low voltage, high amperage current through a resistive material we are able to generate heat that can be controlled. The heat that is being generated can then be efficiently used to melt through the insulation of the wire being stripped.
Can thermal wirestripping be used on high temperature insulations? Yes. As long as the insulation is not flame retardant or self-extinguishing you should have no trouble stripping it using our thermal wirestripping systems.
Why is thermal wirestripping often recommended or required by certain organizations, including the military? In some circumstances a conductor may become nicked, or crimped when mechanical stripping devices are used. This can result in unwanted resistance in the conductor, causing it to over heat during use. When stripping wires thermally the possibility of nicking the conductors with a sharp blade is eliminated.
Can the same power unit be used for resistance soldering and thermal wirestripping? Absolutely! The same power unit can be used to operate an assortment of different American Beauty® handpieces for both thermal wirestripping and resistance soldering.
Are there any precautions that I should take before thermal wirestripping? Some insulation materials emit harmful vapors when they are exposed to high temperatures. It is always a good idea to work in a properly ventilated area and to check the wire manufacturers MSDS to know what types of gases or vapors may be emitted when the insulation material on the wire is heated.
Are there size limitations to thermal wirestripping? No. If you need to strip a wire that is larger than our Model 105131 or Model 10517 will accommodate, you can use our V-Notch Style Handpieces. If the wire you need to strip does not fit into the V-Notch the element can be opened slightly, or it can be used as a hot blade to melt through the insulation around the circumference of even the largest diameter wires.
Don't see an answer to your question? Ask us today. Learn your answer tomorrow.
|
|
|