Learning how to solder

redkat05

Dear spring....... HURRY!
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i'ma try to teach myself how to solder. Whats a good setup to try n learn on? I was thinkin of buyin some blank circuit board and some LED's to practice makin a simple LED board. Eventually I wanna make custom tail boards so what do you all suggest?
 
Good thread..I hope some pro's can chime in here...Everytime I try to solder, it just falls off the wire...LOL I know runeight has done a lot.
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i don't know which resistors to use for what led's and how to run them on the board, etc. I've heard things like breadboards etc n dunno what they are
 
I'm thinking that would be tough to explain.


But here you go
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Takes some practice and practicing on junk parts is a good way to start. Some hobby supplier should have a grab bag to get you started.
 
a grab bag of random stuff or somethin designed to help someone learn?
 
I had to go to school for weeks to be certified to solder on "special" equipment.. I promise you the best way to practice is to get several spools of wire in different gauges. 24, 22, 18 awg and some good strippers.... Cut the wire into strips bout 4 inches long... Strip both ends about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.... Learn how to preheat and tin your wire with 60/40 rosin core solder. Rules to live by to know if you did it right?

1. None of the insulation is melted or disfigured
2. There arent globs of solder on the ends...
3. The newly tinned ends should be just a little bigger than they were before you soldered them
4. You should see solder flow under the insulation
5. Hold the 4" strips in your left hand when your soldering them, if they get too hot to hold you didnt do it fast enough and you risk damage....

Practice practice practice...

Tin the end of a few hundred wires then practice soldering two tinned ends together.... They should look smooth and not globby, again use the rules above...

Tip Keep the iron clean of old solder and debri... use a damp sponge.... before you touch your work "wet your tip" with a little dab of new solder...

cap
 
is it ok to use one of the "all in one" woodburning/soldering irons?
 
is it ok to use one of the "all in one" woodburning/soldering irons?
My :twocents:

for a quick, dirty solder job, yes use one of those.

But if you really want to do some quality work, invest in a good solder-station/iron. These will have adjustable tempuratures, and are also made to do some 'finer' soldering.

one of the keys to a good solder job is to heat both parts evenly and THEN apply the solder so it 'flows' to the parts.

If the solder just 'falls' off, that means the part/lead did not get hot enough to flow the solder.

Trust me, a good soldering iron/station will make all the difference.
 
well I don't do that much soldering, was just wanting to get into this and gain some skill to make the boards for the tail later on. Was gonna get a "soldering kit" from radio shack that has bunch of the tools, solder, and iron, etc
 
PS - what CAp sez is true. Practice and a good iron will provide a quality solder joint.
 
Go to China Shack and purchase:

This gun. Have used it for 15 years or better. 30 watt is all you will need.

Forget those big gun solder guns with the light in the end.

r8

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Main thing is to "draw" the solder. For example, two wires. Coat one with solder then "draw" the solder over the other wire.

The key is to have the right solder and a hot gun. After time you will be a pro at it.
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r8
 
You need the flux to clean the device and help the solder adhere. For circuit boards a small iron or station as suggested is great. Don't need a huge iron for doing the small stuff. Try not to inhale the good stuff
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if i ever manage to complete one i'll give you the first "2nd edition"
 
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