Successful Soldering Overview

What is Soldering?

• Formation of a “metal to metal” joint using solder.

• The joint is made by alloy formation of base metal and solder.

• In soldering, there are three key elements: Heat, Solder, and Flux. They are all important.

• Temperature

• Timing

• Training

• Techniques

• Tools

• Tested Solderable Parts

• Technologically Correct Design

7 T’s of a Reliable Solder Joint

Tools You Will Need

• Soldering station• Adjustable Temperature• Fine tip• Solder iron stand• Sponge holder

• Wire strippers• Adjustable to wire gauge

• Tweezers• Helping Hand

• To help hold wires, etc. • Can be home made

• De-soldering tools• Wick or braid• Solder-sucker

Supplies

• Solder• Lead-free

• Leaded

• Fine diameter .015”

• Flux

• Heat-shrink tubing

Choosing Your Flux

• Be sure flux is designed for electronics and PCB work• Zinc Chloride is bad• Lead-free work• Brands and Type

• Alpha OM-338• ChipQuik SMD291NL

• Clean the area before & after soldering

• Clean the iron tip before each use

• Hold the iron on the joint for 2-5 seconds• Watch the solder and when it is properly wetted, remove the iron

• Solder should cover at least 75% of the surface area

• Use wire strippers to cut the insulation of the wire • It is recommended to remove the insulation with your fingers

• Store the iron with solder on the tip to prolong its life

Basic Tips

Technique

1. Apply flux to joint/work

2. Grab soldering iron

3. Wipe soldering iron tip on wet sponge to clean tip

4. Apply solder to tip of soldering iron

5. Touch soldering iron to the joint 2-5 seconds

6. Remove soldering iron when fully wetted

Tin the Wire

Tin the Wire

• What are we doing? • Soldering the stranded wire to prevent stray strands and promote a good joint

• Allow better soldering to the wire

• How:• Strip off about 1/8” of the insulation with the wire strippers

• Twist the exposed end of the wires with your fingers to smooth any stray wires

• Apply flux to the stripped end

• Melt a small amount of solder on your iron and roll it over the end of the wire

Joining Two Wires

1. Tin the ends of each wire

2. Slide heat shrink tubing over one wire

3. Apply flux to tinned wire ends

4. Align two wires in parallel and run the iron across the joint• Add solder if necessary

Joining Two Wires

Insulating with Heat Shrink

Soldering to a Component

Soldering to a Component

• Tin the end of the wire

• Trim the component lead short. (About 1/4-1/8”)

• Tin the lead

• Solder these together like a normal wire

Through-Hole Soldering

• Apply flux to component

• Push component lead through hole

• Apply solder to soldering iron tip

• Place soldering iron tip at the joint• Make as much surface area contact as possible

• Leave iron on joint until filet is formed• Remove iron and add flux if flux has burnt off before filet forms

• Clean with alcohol

Through-Hole Soldering

Solder to PCB Trace

• Lightly scrape off the enamel coating

• Clean off scraps

• Apply flux

• Tin the wire

• Solder to PCB

Solder Wick

Desoldering

• Solder sucker• Tricky to use with multiple hands

• Relatively large tool

• Wick/braid• Easy to use

• Apply flux for better flow

• Removes solder from the joint

Floobydust

• YouTube channel filled with tips on SoundTraxx products

• Steam and Diesel User’s Guide very helpful

• Other tips at SoundTraxx.com

• Next Webinar- Introduction to CV Programming• June 20th.

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• Clinic Presentation• https://www.soundtraxx.com/webinar.php

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