APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INERTING GAS DURING SOLDERING

There is disclosed an apparatus (30) for supplying inerting gas during soldering of a work piece (100) comprising: a base (2010) comprising an interior volume in fluid communication with an inerting gas source; a tube (10?) having an interior volume and comprising one or more perforations (20?) for the flow of inerting gas therethrough; one or more support legs comprising an interior volume in fluid communication with the interior volume of the base (2010) and the interior volume of the tube (10?). The base (2010) is at least partially submerged in molten solder (80) contained within a solder reservoir (75). The one or more support legs extend vertically upward from the base (2010) and elevate the tube (10?) above the surface of the molten solder (80). The inerting gas travels through the base (2010), upward through the one or more support legs, into the interior volume of the tube, and out through the one or more perforations (20?) in the tube (10?). There is a second tube having an interior volume and comprising one or more perforations (20?) for the flow of inerting gas therethrough, wherein the second tube resides within the interior volume of the base (2010).