The 60/40 rosin core solder I use flows between 400-500 with a HAKKO station. Will an Optotronics 55mW + collimating lens at a distance of 0.5 inch to the area to be soldered do the trick?
Re: Soldering w/ Optotronics 55mW + Collimating Le
What are you trying to do, melt solder with a laser pointer?
There was a great thread in Multimedia where someone got a 4W argon and melted some solder. I'm not sure the exact power needed, but I doubt a visible handheld could do it, and certainly not 55mW
Re: Soldering w/ Optotronics 55mW + Collimating Le
You'll probably need at least .5W focused very well, and even then I imagine it would be a bit of a stretch. 1W should be able to do it when focused well.