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Started By
Message
Soldering; tips needed: UPDATE in OP
Posted on 9/21/22 at 7:49 am
Posted on 9/21/22 at 7:49 am
I don't solder very much but would like to get better at it. I've watched a few videos but putting the suggestions into practice seems to be harder than it should. Do you guys use one of those "2nd set of hands" accessories or anything like that? Are they helpful?
Just got a new soldering iron - Weller
TIA
UPDATE
OK got some flux (SRA brand as recommended) and holy shite what a difference. I was doing some soldering on some really small wires that were connected to a wired 'remote' for my recliner; La-Z-Boy calls it a "wand" but it's wired remote. There are 6 tiny wires from the cable to the remote and 2 broke. Did the heat shrink connectors (the smallest I could find but they were still kinda big) the first time but one didn't hold.
Also got one of those 'extra set of hands' from Harbor Freight for $6 and it worked quite well. The "look" of the soldering wouldn't make the cover of Soldering Illustrated but it worked very well and I put some heat shrink tubing over it and voilà I'm back in business. Couldn't believe how much easier it was using the flux. Whoever in this thread that said "don't do anything until you get flux" undersold the importance of it.
Thanks all
Just got a new soldering iron - Weller
TIA
UPDATE
OK got some flux (SRA brand as recommended) and holy shite what a difference. I was doing some soldering on some really small wires that were connected to a wired 'remote' for my recliner; La-Z-Boy calls it a "wand" but it's wired remote. There are 6 tiny wires from the cable to the remote and 2 broke. Did the heat shrink connectors (the smallest I could find but they were still kinda big) the first time but one didn't hold.
Also got one of those 'extra set of hands' from Harbor Freight for $6 and it worked quite well. The "look" of the soldering wouldn't make the cover of Soldering Illustrated but it worked very well and I put some heat shrink tubing over it and voilà I'm back in business. Couldn't believe how much easier it was using the flux. Whoever in this thread that said "don't do anything until you get flux" undersold the importance of it.
Thanks all
This post was edited on 10/2/22 at 6:47 pm
13
Posted on 9/21/22 at 7:52 am to Wtodd
Not a pro, but Id ditch the battery powered iron with quickness. It'll eat batteries and you'll be in the middle of something wondering why it isn't getting hot enough to do anything.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 8:24 am to Wtodd
No need for a second set of hands, have one but never use.
12W iron is very low power, if you want to do anything other than very light gauge wire, you'll want more juice.
It's actually very easy one you get the hang of it, and will do a far better job vs crimp connectors.
12W iron is very low power, if you want to do anything other than very light gauge wire, you'll want more juice.
It's actually very easy one you get the hang of it, and will do a far better job vs crimp connectors.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 8:51 am to ItzMe1972
Primarily wiring but you never know.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 8:52 am to Wtodd
Dayum thats an expensive iron. I bet your work bench is a PECOS table.
j/k, but I solder with a $10 45w craftsman. I like the power because when I need the heat, I can use the thicker part of the shaft, and when I need finesse, just the tip.
I do use helping hands but thats the only accessory. Practice is really the only thing that makes you better. Whenever I start up a new project, I'll take time to practice on scraps before I begin on the real stuff.
j/k, but I solder with a $10 45w craftsman. I like the power because when I need the heat, I can use the thicker part of the shaft, and when I need finesse, just the tip.
I do use helping hands but thats the only accessory. Practice is really the only thing that makes you better. Whenever I start up a new project, I'll take time to practice on scraps before I begin on the real stuff. 
Posted on 9/21/22 at 8:59 am to Wtodd
heat the element to be soldered then touch it with the wire
that’s all I got
that’s all I got
Posted on 9/21/22 at 9:04 am to Wtodd
quote:
Id ditch the battery powered iron
quote:
12W iron is very low power, if you want to do anything other than very light gauge wire, you'll want more juice.
Both of these, and I’ll add that flux is your friend.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 9:07 am to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
I bet your work bench is a PECOS table.
No I made my work bench myself:
2 4' X 8' X 5/8" partial boards (cut 1' off so 3' X 8') & glued them together. Painted it with floor & deck paint so it has some texture.
Legs are 2' X 4' (4 of them) connected to the CMU wall
I can stand on it and it doesn't move
Posted on 9/21/22 at 10:42 am to Wtodd
quote:
Soldering; tips needed
I'll do anything to avoid soldering. Heat shrink and crimp connections if I can.
But if you want a second hands dealy, they sell a cheap one at Harbor Freight.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 11:04 am to Kingpenm3
Don't try and solder dirty or corroded wires. Use flux to clean, the liquid kind not the paste brazing/welding type flux. I replace nicad backup batteries on our big control boards and you don't want too much heat for panel work, I use a desoldering wick instead of the vacuum pump style. For wire connecting I usually use a butt style crimp with nothing else if it's in an enclosure in a building. For a vehicle or machinery I'll butt splice, wrap in tape and then heat shrink to protect the joint.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 11:24 am to Soul Gleaux
quote:
I’ll add that flux is your friend.
Am going to get some
Posted on 9/21/22 at 11:25 am to Kingpenm3
quote:
But if you want a second hands dealy, they sell a cheap one at Harbor Freight.
Good to know; I have a 25% coupon.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 12:19 pm to Wtodd
Someone already mentioned it but cleaning is very important! Sand down anything you can and make it shiny as possible. When working on tubing sand it until very clean and use a lot of flux! Also if you put the heat on the inside of the joint you are working on it will draw the solder to the heat and fill up your joint and then you cap the edge.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 12:23 pm to Wtodd
I need to learn how to solder pipe. Got a buncha copper pipe in my house.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 12:58 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I need to learn how to solder pipe. Got a buncha copper pipe in my house.
There is nothing to it. I’d never sweated copper before and my first attempt was 40+ joints with zero leaks. Rough up the copper, paint it with flux, put fittings together and heat with propane torch, when it’s hot enough joint/flux literally pulls the solder in. Pex is so easy to work with that I understand, but a brazed copper joint almost cannot leak, so it’s badass where you’re not worried about freeze protection.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 1:03 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Mirrors, metal shields and wet rags are your friends when working with tubing.
Remember some chemicals like Freon will turn deadly after heating up, make sure you know what you are dealing with.
Remember some chemicals like Freon will turn deadly after heating up, make sure you know what you are dealing with.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 1:51 pm to Wtodd
Put the tip of the soldering iron on the wire or whatever it is you're soldering. Try to get as much surface area of the tip on the wire. Heat for a few seconds. Touch the solder to the wire. If it doesn't melt immediately, wait a few more seconds. When it does melt immediately, the solder will melt and be "sucked up" buy the wire.
Once the Solder is "sucked up" to cover the material to be soldered, remove the solder from the wire and keep your soldering iron on the wire for a couple of seconds. Then remove the soldering iron. In a couple of seconds the solder will solidify. It should look shiny, if it's not shiny, repeat and leave the iron on longer this time.
Once the Solder is "sucked up" to cover the material to be soldered, remove the solder from the wire and keep your soldering iron on the wire for a couple of seconds. Then remove the soldering iron. In a couple of seconds the solder will solidify. It should look shiny, if it's not shiny, repeat and leave the iron on longer this time.
Posted on 9/21/22 at 5:07 pm to rexorotten
This is what I'm practicing.
If it's shiny the solder has lead in it; if not, then it doesn't
quote:
It should look shiny, if it's not shiny, repeat and leave the iron on longer this time.
If it's shiny the solder has lead in it; if not, then it doesn't
Posted on 9/21/22 at 7:49 pm to Soul Gleaux
quote:
and I’ll add that flux is your friend.
This, the best advice. I would stop now till you have some.
I make my own flux. go to your pine tree and gather some pine pitch. The older and dryer the better. put in small jar and add 99% rubbing alcohol to cover. After rosin is in solution i put jar on hot plate to boil off any remaining water. It will get thicker. This is concentrated. Dilute with more alcohol to use. I put in a needle bottle to use on work bench. This stuff works just as good if not better then store bought. It is advised to clean the flux off after soldering but i don't unless i used too much.
25 watt and lower iron are for circuit board work. Get a hotter iron for wire. Also get one with a chisel tip. The wider tip will heat the wire faster.
A good solder joint is hard to beat. A bad( cold Solder Joint ) can drive you crazy. Like was said earlier, nice shiny joints are your friend.
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