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I am a terrible solderer

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RayB:
I use a standard cheap-ass soldering iron from Radio Shack (the typical "pointy-tipped stick" type), and a "solder sucker".

Two rules I've learned:
1. Be patient and wait for your iron to fully heat up. It should be hot enough that only a couple seconds touching the old solder is all you need to melt it. I used to have some difficulty cuz I'd wait and wait and it would take for ever for the solder to melt, then it would and I'd remove the iron and it would go solid real quickly, etc... Turns out I need a good 5-10 minutes for the thing to reach optimal heat.

2. Use a solder sucker when de-soldering stuff. I first started using a soldering iron in my late teens, but it wasn't until years later that I saw a technician use this thing called a solder sucker. I eventually got one, and you know, it was stupid not to have one from the start. You have to suck off ALL solder when removing components.



ChadTower:
As posted above, I do have a solder sucker.

I guess I need to get a magnifier since I don't even SEE the things that well, probably worse than I think too.  I let the iron heat up quite a while... I'd apply a bit more solder to the joint so there's more to conduct... I'd try to reheat it, it would melt, I'd suck the solder off, and only half the solder would come off or only the new solder would come off, leaving me exactly where I started.  Then the area around the joint would be shiny and look like it was starting to melt so I'd be paranoid I was destroying the pcb.

Apollo:
Solder suckers bite ass, you need braid to do a decent job.

JustMichael:
ChadTower, first off PRACTICE!!!  Sit down and practice soldering and desoldering for 8 hours straight (yes a few breaks are ok) on those old pcb's.  You will be tired and a bit sore but your skills will improve remarkably!

Apollo:
And if you are going to do that for gods sake do it in a well ventilated area.

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