Soldering Tip
As DIY synth kits become more complex, you’ll need a variety of soldering tips for your projects. However, with so many types available and no standard design choosing the right one can be confusing.
The best starting point is to check what your soldering iron’s manufacturer offers, though the options can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help you get a clearer picture, there are two main ways a tip is secured to the iron.
The first uses a pressure ring that holds the tip with a collar. The second relies on a fastening cross bolt. A proper connection between the tip and the iron is essential for efficient heat transfer and reliable performance.
In the end, always check which additional tips your iron’s manufacturer recommends for your specific model.
Here is a overview of different types of solder iron tips
Chisel Tip
The most versatile and widely used shape.
A chisel tip has a flat, screwdriver-like end that offers excellent heat transfer due to its broad contact area. This makes the chisel tip the best tip for people starting with synth DIY.
It's ideal for through-hole components, header pins, wires, and desoldering with braid. The flat edge allows for even heating across pads and leads. For general electronics work, a 1.2–2 mm chisel tip is often the best starting point.
Conical Tip
This pointed, cone-shaped tip concentrates heat in a small area, making it useful for precision soldering, especially in tight spaces.
It’s suitable for small pads and SMD touch-ups but less effective at transferring heat efficiently to larger joints. Beginners should use it with care, as it’s easier to damage both the tip and the board with too much pressure.
Miniwave Tip
The miniwave tip features a concave bevel that holds a small drop of solder at the end via surface tension. This makes it excellent for drag soldering SMD ICs with many legs. It allows fast, clean results even without a hot-air station but requires some skill and practice. It’s also known as a “hoof tip” and is great for soldering small gauge wires or when a pre-loaded tip is helpful.
Sizing Matters!
Regardless of the shape, the tip should be appropriately sized for the task: too small, and it won’t transfer enough heat; too large, and you risk overheating components or lifting pads. A good rule of thumb for chisel tips is to use one that’s about 60% the width of the pad.
But we encourage you to try different types of tips to find the one which suits you the most.
Soldering Tip
As DIY synth kits become more complex, you’ll need a variety of soldering tips for your projects. However, with so many types available and no standard design choosing the right one can be confusing.
The best starting point is to check what your soldering iron’s manufacturer offers, though the options can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help you get a clearer picture, there are two main ways a tip is secured to the iron.
The first uses a pressure ring that holds the tip with a collar. The second relies on a fastening cross bolt. A proper connection between the tip and the iron is essential for efficient heat transfer and reliable performance.
In the end, always check which additional tips your iron’s manufacturer recommends for your specific model.
Here is a overview of different types of solder iron tips
Chisel Tip
The most versatile and widely used shape.
A chisel tip has a flat, screwdriver-like end that offers excellent heat transfer due to its broad contact area. This makes the chisel tip the best tip for people starting with synth DIY.
It's ideal for through-hole components, header pins, wires, and desoldering with braid. The flat edge allows for even heating across pads and leads. For general electronics work, a 1.2–2 mm chisel tip is often the best starting point.
Conical Tip
This pointed, cone-shaped tip concentrates heat in a small area, making it useful for precision soldering, especially in tight spaces.
It’s suitable for small pads and SMD touch-ups but less effective at transferring heat efficiently to larger joints. Beginners should use it with care, as it’s easier to damage both the tip and the board with too much pressure.
Miniwave Tip
The miniwave tip features a concave bevel that holds a small drop of solder at the end via surface tension. This makes it excellent for drag soldering SMD ICs with many legs. It allows fast, clean results even without a hot-air station but requires some skill and practice. It’s also known as a “hoof tip” and is great for soldering small gauge wires or when a pre-loaded tip is helpful.
Sizing Matters!
Regardless of the shape, the tip should be appropriately sized for the task: too small, and it won’t transfer enough heat; too large, and you risk overheating components or lifting pads. A good rule of thumb for chisel tips is to use one that’s about 60% the width of the pad.
But we encourage you to try different types of tips to find the one which suits you the most.
Manual Area
These guides are part of our effort to share practical knowledge about DIY synth building, tools, and Eurorack standards. We want them to be as clear and useful as possible and we know there’s always room for improvement.
Your feedback matters
If you spot an error, think something could be explained better, or want to share your own DIY tips, please let us know.
You can reach us at: shop@exploding-shed.com
Manual Area
These guides are part of our effort to share practical knowledge about DIY synth building, tools, and Eurorack standards. We want them to be as clear and useful as possible and we know there’s always room for improvement.
Your feedback matters
If you spot an error, think something could be explained better, or want to share your own DIY tips, please let us know.
You can reach us at: shop@exploding-shed.com