Soldering Advice Please...

Discussion in 'Amps/Cabs Tech Corner: Amplifier, Cab & Speakers' started by Jemlite, Mar 9, 2005.

  1. Mar 9, 2005 #1
    Jemlite

    Jemlite Member

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    I could use some tips on soldering for a novice. I have a few projects going and would like to make them look pro.

    I have a good Weber solder station that has a digital temperature display. It can be set super hot (and is great for desoldering stubborn connections), as well as be turned down to a temp that won't melt stuff you don't want screwed up in the area. It’s a good commercial type model.

    Some things I could use help on:
    - What kind of solder is best for high end electronics? (flux core, silver, something etc...?)
    - What is the best temperature range to solder wires when you don't want to melt other things in the area? (I’ve been having trouble with this! I keep melting away the wire sleeves below the cut away, but set too low I can’t get solder to take.)
    - Heating the area and when to know it’s the best joint? (Color, etc?)

    One of my projects right now is cutting up a high end instrument cable for my floor board. I really don’t want to be messing up and wasting any of it.

    Thanks.

    :)
     
    Jemlite, Mar 9, 2005
    Jemlite, Mar 9, 2005
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  2. Mar 9, 2005 #2
    Wakarusa

    Wakarusa Member

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    Wakarusa, Mar 9, 2005
    Wakarusa, Mar 9, 2005
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  3. Mar 10, 2005 #3
    Jemlite

    Jemlite Member

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    Thanks Todd.

    What is a good temp to set things at for the average job?
     
    Jemlite, Mar 10, 2005
    Jemlite, Mar 10, 2005
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  4. Mar 10, 2005 #4
    wrecked

    wrecked Member

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    Hi Jemlite!

    Setting your iron for about 675 deg. F should work well for most tasks, though it depends on the type of solder you're using and the type of connection. For solder itself, I prefer Kester type 245 cored no-clean wire. It's a eutectic composition (Sn63Pb37), which basically means it's more tolerant of slight movements or vibration while the joint cools. I don't know if they still do this, but for a while Kester would send out a couple of 1/4 pound spools of the 245 as a product sample if you filled out a request form on their site (http://www.kester.com). For modest DIY uses that amount can easily last for years!

    Matt
     
    wrecked, Mar 10, 2005
    wrecked, Mar 10, 2005
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  5. Mar 10, 2005 #5
    Jemlite

    Jemlite Member

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    Thanks Matt!

    I didn't see any samples still available on Kesters site but I appreciate the tip. No big deal.

    I'll give 675 deg a try.


    Take care.
     
    Jemlite, Mar 10, 2005
    Jemlite, Mar 10, 2005
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  6. Mar 10, 2005 #6
    Wakarusa

    Wakarusa Member

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    675 is a good number. Depending on the specific solder going over about 680 starts burning the flux before it can clean/wet the joint.

    A second bit of advice that might help is to use the right size tip on the iron. If you're doing work on an eyelet board on large-diameter leads, the teenie-tiny pencil tip intended for small PCB work won't get the joint hot enough fast enough.
     
    Wakarusa, Mar 10, 2005
    Wakarusa, Mar 10, 2005
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  7. Mar 11, 2005 #7
    Brian D

    Brian D Member

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    Brian D, Mar 11, 2005
    Brian D, Mar 11, 2005
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