Stupid soldering question

Jake · « **on:** 9 Dec 2003, 02:50 am »

I'm totally new at this. Going to make a simple tube kit. I had not soldered for about a decade so I picked up some junk pieces and practiced desoldering and resoldering. Couple Qs. Lots of times it is easy to make a good mechanical connection ( most connections have tabs of some sort.)but with some switches and basic RCA outputs you don't have a tab - just a nob or pin to solder to. How do you make the connection to a basic RCA input/output or a pin like on on most balanced outputs.

Thanks Jake

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 03:05 am »

You can wrap the lead around the pin, fine needle-nose pliers will help a lot here. Sometimes you just have to hold the lead in place while it cools, again the pliers will help a lot. Hope this helps!

elektratig · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 04:06 am »

Jake,

Very early on, I got a couple of locking-type scissors -- hemostats? -- and a set of (I think it's called) "helping hands" from Radio Shack, basically a couple of alligator clips on a base. When I want to solder, eg, a wire to a binding post, I use these devices to hold the wire taut and at least wedge it against the post so it doesn't move if I can't mechanically connect it. Then I can solder with two hands (one for the solder, one for the iron) to my heart's delight. The easiest way to a bad solder joint is to have the dang thing move, so it's important that the junction remain still when you remove the iron.

Sorry I'm not 'splaining this better.

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 03:02 pm »

Agree with the earlier posts. I am a newb too basically at this but have found the helping hands from Ratshack to be a whole lot easier than a balancing act!

Jake · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 03:16 pm »

OK, Thanks a lot folks. That is very helpful.
If I have a switch that has 6 or 9 connection points on the back that are just solder
dots i just mount the wire and switch in a third hand and get some solder over it. The mechanical connection between hte wire and switch in such a case is going to be very minimal and even non existant is some cases and that is OK? The solder will bridge the two.

I don't want to do all sorts of connections only to find that they ruin hte signal. I'm sure you understand.

Thanks Again,
Jake.

WerTicus · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 10:17 am »

yeah i agree with josh... helping hands are fantastic

especially with soldering multiple wires to eachother or soldering very fiddly things. Makes life easy and i have small hands!

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 10:20 am »

I better get me some of them helping hands... probably save a few burnt fingers

WerTicus · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 11:51 am »

oh yeah they will save you from that...

but then again if you dont get battle scars then you lose half the fun of DIY!

MaxCast · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 01:06 pm »

What is the correct way to desolder?

Jake · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 01:56 pm »

Hi Max

I'm no expert but have been asking basic questions from a few folks. As noted above the first thing I did was salvage some junk electronics and tear (desolder it) it apart and use the parts to put it back together again. I followed the advise at this page:

http://home.att.net/~joemacjr/diyproject/soldering.html#

All you need is a little desoldering wick. It works nicely. I've never used the various vacuum devices.

At least this will generate some more discussion on basic soldering
technique.

Still waiting on my Q re soldering to switches that have no tags just "solder points". Will the solder will act like a "bridge."

Thanks,
Jake

warnerwh · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 06:31 pm »

Something that is very important and I don't see listed is that you must get the part hot enough that you are soldering to for the solder to flow over it. Don't just melt solder over it. Otherwise you will end up with a cold solder joint. IF the part doesn't get hot enough then you need a hotter iron.

MaxCast · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Dec 2003, 10:05 pm »

Good point warner. On the other side, don't get it too hot as to burn it up. I went through two power switches when I built my Foreplay

audioengr · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Dec 2003, 01:47 am »

Here are some solder tips:

Getting professional results soldering requires some training. You need to have a wet sponge to wipe the soldering iron tip on. You need to have a temp-controlled station. For most joints, 700Degrees F is about right. sometimes 800 is needed for large joints.

First, the soldering iron tip must be "tinned". This is done by applying solder and wiping it off on the wet sponge repeatedly until the entire tip is shiny. When heating the joint, it must be clean. I achieve best results on the joint by wiping the solder iron tip on the sponge and applying a tiny dot of solder to the tip. Then apply this to the joint immediately after wiping on the sponge to heat it quickly. Put the solder against the joint close to the tip, but not touching it. The solder should flow smoothly into the joint after it is up to temp. Then immediately remove the iron. do not overheat the joint. If you have to remove the iron mid-way, then wipe it on the sponge and immediately apply back to the joint and add more solder. If the joint is not smooth and shiny, remove the solder using wick and try again.