Main > Main Forum
Soldering tips?
<< < (2/4) > >>
Bgnome:
generally, its considered bad practice to actually touch the solder wire to the iron.  it tends to make it more messy and may leave you with cold joints, (solder that didnt actually stick so it doesnt actually connect the circuit), or oxidized solder, (kinda overcooked, solder looks dull when its supposed to be shiny).  you are supposed to heat the joint and the wire with the soldering iron and then touch the solder wire to the joint and allow it to melt on.
tinning the wire means that you put some solder on it first before attaching it to something.  this is easily done by dipping it in a little flux first.
Onji:
Thanks so much Bgnome, that makes alot of sence. The only thing i dont have is flux, i'll be picking up some of that tonight.
Thanks alot.
Lance:
IMO there is really no need to by extra flux, all the solder I've ever used has a center core of flux (rosin core solder).  I'm pretty sure this is quite common.

Also if you do get flux make sure you do NOT get acid flux or acid core solder, it is for soldering pipes and stuff like that not electronics.
Bgnome:
i also use the rosin core flux.  but I have a little experience from modding ps2s/xboxes and knew some others that did also and we all recommend having extra flux around.  it may not be necessary per say, but it does make the job much easier and can help get solder to "stick" when its being stubborn.
TalkingOctopus:
I found extra flux to be EXETREMELY useful when hacking a TV remote and Dreamcast controllers.  Without it, it was very difficult to solder the wires direcly to the PCB.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page

Go to full version