Welding is a process used to mold materials together.
A soldering pencil is a device used with soldering to join two or more pieces of metal. This type of welding is usually done for small metal items or electrical components where precise work on a smaller scale may be required. Larger work, such as construction work or connecting large pieces of metal joints, is usually done with a welding torch and welding the pieces together. A soldering pencil is quite similar to a soldering iron, which may be more common, but is generally smaller and thinner, with a finer tip for more delicate or detailed soldering work.
Soldering pencils are commonly used to fuse wires and electronic components onto circuit boards.
Used in electrical engineering and circuit board design, a soldering pencil allows someone to connect two or more pieces of metal together. This is done with another material called solder, which usually consists of a thin piece of metal melted by the tip of the soldering pencil or gun. The molten solder is then applied to the point of connection of the two pieces of metal, and as the solder returns to its solid state, it forms a strong bond between the other pieces.
Traditionally, soldering used to be made with tin and lead, but in recent years the use of lead in soldering has been discouraged and may be illegal in some regions. Lead-free solder is still typically made with tin, but it is combined with other metals such as silver, copper, and zinc. The solder is prepared in long, thin circular lengths, which are then rolled into a tight coil, allowing the solder to be easily held in one hand. The user will hold the soldering iron or pencil in the other hand, allowing them to quickly and easily work with solder to make connections in electrical and plumbing applications.
While a soldering iron can be used frequently and is generally a more popular choice with many users, a soldering pencil may be ideal for certain applications. This includes electronic components where small parts are used and precise gaskets for small connections are required to prevent damage to used electronic components. A soldering pencil can be more expensive than a soldering iron and may take more practice to use accurately, but it can produce better results in circuit board design and similar applications. For use in electronics, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe soldering pen or gun should be used to prevent accidental discharge that could damage components.