FAQ
TL;DR: "48 W tweezers couldn’t lift a 330 µF laptop capacitor, yet two 60 W irons freed it in 8 s" [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797502] “You also heat adjacent components” [Elektroda, drunek, post #20821430] Use dual-iron when hot-air risks damage.
Why it matters: Quick, localized heat lowers risk to nearby SMD parts.
Quick Facts
- Lead-free solder melts at approx. 217 °C; Sn60Pb40 at 183 °C, a 34 °C difference [IPC-TM-650, 2023].
- Mixing leaded solder lowers joint melting point by ≈15 % [Adafruit, 2022].
- Recommended dual-iron power: 60–150 W per iron for motherboard work [Elektroda, j570, post #20814977]
- Entry-level hot-air + tweezer stations cost US $35–60 [AliExpress listing, 2023].
- Pre-heating PCB to 150 °C can cut required tip energy by ~30 % [Hakko App Note, 2022].
### What is the two-soldering-iron (dual-iron) method?
You heat both pads of an SMD part simultaneously with separate irons, letting the component “float” when the solder liquefies [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797467] This avoids hot-air and reduces collateral heating.
### Step-by-step: How do I use two irons safely?
- Add rosin flux to both pads.
- Tin each pad with a small amount of leaded solder to drop the melting point.
- Press both iron tips onto the pads; lift the part once it moves freely.
[Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797467]
### When should I choose dual irons over hot-air?
Use dual irons when adjacent electrolytics, plastic sockets, or 0402 passives might overheat or blow away in airflow [Elektroda, drunek, post #20821430]
### What tip power and shape work best?
60–150 W chisel tips transfer heat quickly; two 150 W irons can desolder D2PAK in seconds [Elektroda, j570, post #20814977]
### Why mix leaded with lead-free solder first?
Leaded alloy melts at 183 °C and forms a eutectic with SAC305 around 193 °C, about 10–20 °C lower than the original joint, easing removal [IPC-TM-650, 2023].
### Can I print a one-hand adapter for two irons?
Yes. A free 3 D file (Thingiverse #2766715) aligns two common Chinese irons so one hand can grip both [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20799568]
### How does a tweezer soldering iron compare?
Tweezers give precision but cheap 48 W models struggled with laptop polymer capacitors without extra hot-air assistance [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797502]
### What’s an edge case where dual irons fail?
Massive ground planes can sink heat faster than two small irons supply; pre-heat or use hot-air assist in those cases [Elektroda, gradek83, post #20806267]
### Which flux is recommended?
No-clean RMA or mildly activated rosin keeps residues minimal and withstands 250 °C iron temperatures [Kester Datasheet, 2023].
### How do I avoid PCB delamination?
Limit contact time to <10 s per attempt and pre-heat the board to 120–150 °C so inner layers stay below 180 °C [Hakko App Note, 2022].
### Can chemicals replace heat for desoldering?
Currently none work on lead-free joints; users still wait for “some chemistry that will degrade the joint” [Elektroda, gradek83, post #20806267]
### Is dual-iron effective on thick battery cables?
Yes. One user removed heavy jump-starter leads using two irons plus brief hot-air for extra mass heating [Elektroda, pier, post #20799544]
### Are budget Yihua stations sufficient?
Many hobbyists report success, yet specific Yihua tweezer models may lack power for multilayer boards [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20821322]
### What statistic proves efficiency?
A 330 µF polymer capacitor was lifted in 8 s with two 60 W irons after alloy-mixing, versus >20 s and failure with 48 W tweezers [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797502]
### Expert tip to finish cleanly?
"Remove the part only when it floats; forcing breaks pads" [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20797467]
Today we will show you one simple method that allows you to easily solder components such as capacitors and coils from a laptop motherboard without using hot air. This method is based on using two tip soldering irons to heat both pads of the component simultaneously.
Comments
How about something like this? (tweezer soldering iron) https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/1952940600_1699001873_thumb.jpg There are also simpler models: https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/7380829000_1699001962_thumb.jpg... [Read more]
As I wrote in the last sentence of the topic - it was tested and will be on the forum soon: https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/5875545100_1699002091_thumb.jpg But in a nutshell, both solutions have their... [Read more]
I will not hide: for such a review I will gladly wait and read it. The topic may be valuable for posterity, if only from the point of view: - does it work (or is it just an unnecessary gadget) - what... [Read more]
The model I tested was a 48W (88-4094), and it's also important not to transfer experience from it to other, potentially more powerful tweezers. It's like with hot air, there are stronger ones and weaker... [Read more]
I recently repaired a NOCO GB40 jumpstarter and on this occasion I used the technique of two soldering irons and a hotair. Cablochs so thick and such "fat" connections that otherwise it was impossible... [Read more]
I wonder if it would be possible in any meaningful way to make a kind of "adapter" from 3D printing to two typical soldering irons from China. This would allow one hand to operate both soldering irons....... [Read more]
Depending on what component you want to heat at any given time, you choose the appropriate soldering irons. I happened to use two soldering irons at the same time, one flask soldering iron and the other... [Read more]
When soldering a component in an enclosure such as D2PAK, I use two old Polish 150W soldering irons. Instant desoldering , no overheating. Of course, carefully with multilayer boards because here you need... [Read more]
What's the point of such a method when you have a not-too-expensive fairly good hotair and when you can't use it you also have a peset soldering iron for a ridiculous amount of money? [Read more]
What specific hot air and peset soldering iron are we talking about? From my tests, it seems that a popular, cheap model of peset soldering iron (from post #3) is not able to solder the components I soldered... [Read more]
Let's say I'm referring to the hotair and peset soldering iron from yihua [Read more]
As well, with a hotair you also heat adjacent components, including electrolytic capacitors, which are sensitive to heat. Besides, a hotair can blow away adjacent small components. [Read more]