[slinkelist] Ramsey FM-10A and FM-25

[David Morgenlender]

I am now the proud owner of a Ramsey FM-25 kit.  Hopefully, sometime =
around end
of year I'll have the time to assemble it.  I've done some soldering in =
the
past.  But I haven't done much (any?) with more modern technology, e.g. =
chips,
let alone a kit like this!  So I'm looking for some technique pointers =
...

In particular:

1.  Should I use flux?  The person at the local electronics store swears =
by it
for soldering pins which are close together.  OTOH, the FM-25 manual says=
 not to
use flux solder (Ramsey won't do repairs, if this has been used);  I =
assume this
relates to the kind of solder used for plumbing;  but I don't know if it =
has any
implications for this kind of soldering?  Your thoughts?

2.  Should I use a heat sink when soldering any component which might be =
heat
sensitive?  Which are these?

3.  In the distant past, I used one of those suction gadgets to remove =
unwanted
solder.  But I don't own one;  at the electronics store a "fine braid =
super
wick" tape was suggested for this purpose.  I was told to dip it in flux,=
 place
it over the joint, then touch the iron to the tape.  Is this the best way=
 to do
this?

4.  My soldering iron besides being old, has a thick tip.  It's tough to =
use
when space is tight.  So I bought a Philmore 30w soldering iron with a =
pointed
tip for about $9.  Does this sound like an appropriate iron?  I just =
noticed
that unlike my old iron, the tip is held in by a screw;  so presumably I =
can
replace the tip, if appropriate.

Thanks for your help!  All helpful tips are welcome!

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Dave Morgenlender
e-mail: dmorgen@alum.mit.edu
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