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Grrr... I am still a suckass solderer
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ChadTower:

I was using a 35w pencil iron... it could be that the solder I tinned on is burning in between uses... I definitely need a little clip. I was having trouble holding the wires in place, since it IS on an upturned playfield, not on a bench.  I tried using pliers but the pliers were leeching all of the heat away.  I forgot that I do have a helping hands stand, I'll steel one of the little clips from that.  Good call.
SirPeale:
Also, remember that you're soldering a *coil*.  Those little basts suck up a LOT of heat.  So you're going to have to leave your iron there longer to get the solder to melt. 
RetroACTIVE:
When soldering wires together... twist first as mentioned above... but place your iron tip underneath the wires and apply solder to the topside of the heated wire.

Also a good idea to keep the tip clean while working (yes when it its hot) ...give it a few swipes across a damp sponge.  Sandpaper is fine when it is cold.

Also as mentioned above, if you are using one of those cheapo irons where the tip is held in place by one little screw... don't they totally suck and will frustrate the heck out of you.  Many people don't like the old trigger Weller type... cause it is clunky... but it is really OK for basic wiring.  I would not recommend it for PCB work though.
Tim:
Just curious.. you say coil.. Im not sure just where/what you are trying to solder on this coil but wire for coils are coated. They might look like bare wire but you never get it to solder. Try scraping the wire with a knife then try soldering it.
ChadTower:

There are three tabs on the base of the coil that are where you would solder wires... they're designed for that.

Yeah, one of those irons where the tip is held in by one screw.  The only other irons have are both soldering stations... can't use that on an upturned playfield.

Twisting the wires didn't work because they were too short to strip very far, and I did in fact end up cutting them too far.  Now I have to pick up some wire and extend them a bit so they will reach the coil without being stressed.

Putting the tip under the wire and the solder on top would never have worked.  The solder didn't even melt to a shiny blob when I put the solder ON the tip.
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