Soldering Tips...

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Posted by Xiaou2 on October 19, 1999 at 03:16:31:

In Reply to: A question about controls and setting them up posted by Dawn on October 18, 1999 at 23:07:31:

Hi Dawn,

Crimping is good for quick swapping or removal... but sometimes can lead to loose connections - or broken wires just above the crimp. (used to work at an arcade)

I prefer soldier, because it is a much stronger connection, and will not vibrate loose.

At first, I was pretty bad at soldiering myself... but was givin some great tips which helped me out a lot.

1) Use a soldering 'Iron' for small circuit boards, or small connections. Use a soldering 'Gun' for larger wires and connections. Never use a gun on a circuit board...its too hot and could damage components.

2) After Iron gets hot, Melt a small bit of soldier on the tip.

3) Strip the wire only a few millimeters. Too much of a strip could lead to a short. Spread the wires out into a 'fan' shape, then twist them arround tightly. This creates greater strength.

4) Place the tip of the Iron on One end of the wire... When the wire gets hot, place the soldier in-between the iron and the wire, to start the 'bleed' of soldier.

Heat will now travel faster throughout the entire wire, because the soldier is a better conductor of heat.

Now, place the soldier on the opposite end of the wire, and when the heat is great enough, it will melt into every fiber of the wire, traveling twords the heat source. If it didnt travel all the way to the iron, guide it up until it does.
The wire should be coated from the end to the end of the strip. Avoid putting too much soldier on the wire, you should still be able to see the strands of wires (though they will be silver coated)

When a wire is completely coated with soldier, it is 20 times as strong, and less likly to break.

5) Heat up the metal where you plan to put the wire. Add a small amt of soldier in-between the metal and the iron. The Soldier should coat the area and leave a Small bead.

6) Place the wire on the metal, and heat both up together - add a small bit of soldier in-between them to form the final joint. Make sure you do not move the wire as it is cooling. If you do, you may get a 'cold' soldier joint. This can make it look like its connected, but really, its not making electrical contact.

Also, be sure not to Overdose with soldier. You only need a small thin coating. Its a lot stronger than you may think. Avoid large 'Blobs' as they are wastefull, ugly, and can end up touching other connections that you do not want them to.

Be sure to use an old wet rag, and clean the iron tip when its still hot (quickly!), when finished. A clean tip = better conductivity.

Before you begin, get something to hold the iron when not in use. A glass jar is a good, because it dosnt conduct heat well.

Hope this helps :)

Sincerely,
Steve
:)

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: : Hi Dawn, : Crimping is good for quick swapping or removal... but sometimes can lead to loose connections - or broken wires just above the crimp. (used to work at an arcade) : I prefer soldier, because it is a much stronger connection, and will not vibrate loose. : At first, I was pretty bad at soldiering myself... but was givin some great tips which helped me out a lot. : 1) Use a soldering 'Iron' for small circuit boards, or small connections. Use a soldering 'Gun' for larger wires and connections. Never use a gun on a circuit board...its too hot and could damage components. : 2) After Iron gets hot, Melt a small bit of soldier on the tip. : 3) Strip the wire only a few millimeters. Too much of a strip could lead to a short. Spread the wires out into a 'fan' shape, then twist them arround tightly. This creates greater strength. : 4) Place the tip of the Iron on One end of the wire... When the wire gets hot, place the soldier in-between the iron and the wire, to start the 'bleed' of soldier. : : Heat will now travel faster throughout the entire wire, because the soldier is a better conductor of heat. : Now, place the soldier on the opposite end of the wire, and when the heat is great enough, it will melt into every fiber of the wire, traveling twords the heat source. If it didnt travel all the way to the iron, guide it up until it does. : The wire should be coated from the end to the end of the strip. Avoid putting too much soldier on the wire, you should still be able to see the strands of wires (though they will be silver coated) : When a wire is completely coated with soldier, it is 20 times as strong, and less likly to break. : 5) Heat up the metal where you plan to put the wire. Add a small amt of soldier in-between the metal and the iron. The Soldier should coat the area and leave a Small bead. : 6) Place the wire on the metal, and heat both up together - add a small bit of soldier in-between them to form the final joint. Make sure you do not move the wire as it is cooling. If you do, you may get a 'cold' soldier joint. This can make it look like its connected, but really, its not making electrical contact. : Also, be sure not to Overdose with soldier. You only need a small thin coating. Its a lot stronger than you may think. Avoid large 'Blobs' as they are wastefull, ugly, and can end up touching other connections that you do not want them to. : Be sure to use an old wet rag, and clean the iron tip when its still hot (quickly!), when finished. A clean tip = better conductivity. : Before you begin, get something to hold the iron when not in use. A glass jar is a good, because it dosnt conduct heat well. : Hope this helps :) : Sincerely, : Steve : :)

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