Hand soldering is the manual process of joining electronic components to a printed circuit board using a soldering iron and solder. It is commonly used for prototyping, repair, and low-volume production where precision and control are required.
The technique involves heating the joint area with a soldering iron, applying solder to form a secure connection, and allowing it to cool to create a stable, conductive bond. Flux is often used to improve the quality of the joint by cleaning the surfaces and aiding solder flow.
Hand soldering requires training and attention to detail, particularly when working with small or sensitive components. It remains an essential practice in electronics assembly and rework, especially for high-reliability sectors such as aerospace, defence, and medical devices.