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GoldLeaf Pushbuttons?
Minwah:
The crimp tool I have is awful, so I tend to 'crimp' manually with some small pliers, and then solder.
Sometimes the connectors can be very tight on microswitches etc, and in the past I have pulled the wire off and left the connector behind - with crimped connectors. But as I say I don't have a decent crimping tool...
keilmillerjr:
--- Quote from: jdbailey1206 on August 02, 2013, 07:16:46 am ---I agree with you guys. I would prefer to know how to solder for more complicated things. ie circuit boards etc. I am pretty good at wielding a cutting torch. I have seen what any type of heat can do to a smaller gauge of wires. :D
--- End quote ---
You could always crimp and apply a tiny bit old solder to help hold everything intact as mentioned.
If you do solder, here is a few pointers.
* Practice. It took me a while to learn how to do it the right way.
* Use rosin core solder. I like the thin wire that comes wound in a tube. It's easy for me to work with. I can apply tiny amounts. I can also bend and feed the wire with one hand. Spools and too think of material are not as easy to work with.
* Buy one of those Radio Shack stands with two clips and a magnifying glass. It can hold two wires together in the air. Without it, I always feel like I need another hand (or two).
* Radio shack soldering irons are junk. The wires are bent and stiff. I've been through 2 of them because I'm working and burn the wire. Sometimes I knock things over. It's not flexible enough like an outdoor extension cord or microphone cables.
* Do not buy shrink tubing at radio shack. You spend a lot of money for a tiny package that includes a ton of random sizes you will never use. Go to home depot or order online.
* Buy solder wick to remove solder.
* Cut your section of shrink tubing and slip it over your wire BEFORE you crimp or solder. I have ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- that up so many times it isn't even funny.
* Apply a light coat of solder to the top of your soldering iron.
* Apply the iron tip to the bottom of the joint. Apply the tip of some extended solder wire to the top of the joint. Have some slack. Keep holding it. Do not touch the solder to the tip of the soldering iron. I used to do that and it is not the proper way (You are just applying solder over the wire, not inside it). If you keep holding them while not touching, eventually the iron will heat the wire, which will heat the solder. The solder will enter the wire (not just coating it). Keep the iron in the same spot and move/feed the solder across your joint until the wire has a think coating across, making it change color. This is a well done solder job. :cheers:
PL1:
More great soldering info here.
Scott
GiMiK:
--- Quote from: jdbailey1206 on August 02, 2013, 07:16:46 am ---I agree with you guys. I would prefer to know how to solder for more complicated things. ie circuit boards etc. I am pretty good at wielding a cutting torch. I have seen what any type of heat can do to a smaller gauge of wires. :D
--- End quote ---
Here is a series on Basic Soldering from Pace on Youtube. I know it's dated, but most of the material is good and relevant. Aside from some styles of connectors that you will likely never see it could be a valuable start.
Nephasth:
Best to know how to both crimp properly and solder properly. Cover all your bases.
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