I can't solder worth a damn

[Angry Grimace]

How on earth do you do it good. No way I'm gonna lose respect and ask someone to show me.

[Sir H C]

Okay:

1. Get a good iron.
2. Get good solder (no acid core).
3. Get a wet sponge or the like to clean the tip.

Now to work:

First let the iron get hot, then tin the tip, touch the solder to the tip, it melts then you know you are ready to go. Wipe the excess off on the wet sponge.

With the tinned tip, touch the two things that you want to solder, properly you should touch the solder to the surfaces to be soldered and melt it on that way. Sometimes you have to touch the tip first to get a bit of solder to help get it in the nooks and crannies.

Now don't let the things move as you pull the iron and solder away.

Should have a shiny finish if it is a good solder job.

[AMZ-FX]

Originally posted by Angry Grimace
How on earth do you do it good. No way I'm gonna lose respect and ask someone to show me.
I wrote a short tutorial on soldering basics that you can see here:

http://www.muzique.com/schem/solder.txt

regards, Jack

[Uze Soap]

Also, you should practice. Steady hands help.

[daddymack]

if you are soldering things like wires to pots...tin the wire before making the solder joint.

[tonedrops]

cleanliness is next to godliness

[DRPool]

I just did my 1st solder job and someone sent me this as a reference. The videos are very basic but does a good job of allowing you to see what everyone is saying. Good luck.

Soldering videos (http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/elab/soldering.htm)

[LoveMyLesPaul]

Great Video... wish I had watched it FIRST

[RoboPimp]

what is a good wattage for soldering effects PCBs? Mine seems maybe too hot? Also, my tip is "decaying" is it just a cheap tip?

Would a "soldering station" give me the adjustability I need to do everything from effects, amps, to patch cords and speaker wires?

[Sir H C]

Originally posted by RoboPimp
what is a good wattage for soldering effects PCBs? Mine seems maybe too hot? Also, my tip is "decaying" is it just a cheap tip?

Would a "soldering station" give me the adjustability I need to do everything from effects, amps, to patch cords and speaker wires?

In general 15-20 watts for PCB work. The great thing with stations is setting the temp and all that. You might still need a bigger iron for the big wires, but that is separate.

Cheap irons have cheap tips which seem to decay faster than a good Weller.

[RoboPimp]

What's a decent price for a Soldering Station? I see some on ebay for $29 + shipping but I don't recognize the name... Should I just go for the weller?


Originally posted by Sir H C


In general 15-20 watts for PCB work. The great thing with stations is setting the temp and all that. You might still need a bigger iron for the big wires, but that is separate.

Cheap irons have cheap tips which seem to decay faster than a good Weller.

[Jeremy Skrenes]

Pick up one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104639&cp=&origkw=helping+hands&kw=helping+hands&parentPage=search

unless you have friends who will hold your wires and cables for you. This, along with desoldering braid, has saved me from countless soldering headaches so I can have headaches when the pedals I solder properly still don't work.

J

[PICKnCHIKn]

This needs a sticky! :wave:

[code_blue]

Don't mess it up!

[TimmyP]

I like the Hakko N454 iron. With only two different tips, you can do anything from surface mount PCB work to 10 gauge wire in a PowerCon connector.

One thing most folks fail to mention is that the tip of the iron has to be well wetted with solder - especially if you have large items to solder. If the tip is not well wetted, there is not sufficient contact area between the iron and the work for the heat to transfer from the iron to the work.


Regarding the video clips:

The guy called his strippers cutters.

I thought that the soldering on the PCB was good, but it could have been better.

[derek_32999]

Originally posted by Jeremy Skrenes
Pick up one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104639&cp=&origkw=helping+hands&kw=helping+hands&parentPage=search

unless you have friends who will hold your wires and cables for you. This, along with desoldering braid, has saved me from countless soldering headaches so I can have headaches when the pedals I solder properly still don't work.

J

Mine seemed to fall apart. Matched my crappy radio slack iron perfectly.

[danger_boy_13]

This soldering station was recommended as a good starter/intermediate at DIY Stompboxes.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

[trucks]

Take a look at The Basic Soldering Guide (http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm) and their photo gallery (http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderpix.htm).

I can highly recommend my soldering station. It is a Hakko 936.

[vroom]

Bump. Any more suggestions for a good station? I'm looking for something with a good number of watts with a low price.

[Bruce Bennett]

i hired two different kids to help me solder and Here's how I trained them.

Get a piece of .036 thick Brass sheet stock from your local hardware store.
and sit down and practise makeing "puddles" on it.

When you can get a clean smooth round mound on the surface of the brass then you have the hang of it.

see the brass takes it's sweet time heating up and it will teach you patience, the other thing it will show you is what to look for when the thing your soldering to and the solder are the right temp. for actually soldering.

there is a very distinct "look" to the metals as they are ready to go together. you'll also learn to make your joint only once and not to under or over solder.. do it one time, get enough solder there to do the job, and get off it.

and for the money..

the Weller WLC100 is one of the best.