Electronic – Why do all soldering irons have long barrels

soldering

Why do all soldering irons have long barrels? Even temperature controlled ones? I can understand that it helps regulate the temperature of a tip if the heating element emits a constant power of heat. But I need to solder a 0.4mm pin pitch device and I'm guessing the stubbier the barrel the less shaky the tip will be when I hold it. If I were to make my own soldering iron, is there any reason not to have the tip close to the handle?

Best Answer

A typical soldering iron has the heating coil inside of the barrel, which influences the barrel length. There are professional soldering irons1, which use RF for heating they often have a shorter barrel.

1 Metcal, for example. Brace for price tag.
2 Review of a soldering station with teardown. disassembled soldering iron shown around the middle of the page.