Help! Soldering is getting on my nerves! can some gurus help?

[IbanezFreak]

Hi guys, i've recently gotten myself a soldering iron (40watts)...and a rosin solder, 2.2% flux.

The problem is, when i try to tin the tip, the solder doesn't go onto the tip but instead melts backwards into the solder in a ball...it doesn't stick onto the tip..

I've tried sanding ( i know so many of you would have just face palmed yourselves ) the tip but to no avail

So what am i missing? I have flux, rosin, a hot iron that melts it quickly, what why can't i tin it?

Also, i tried soldering a wire onto old pots...but i can never can a shiny solder ...I must heat the pot first and then apply the solder right? But won't i over heat the pot before getting the heat sufficient enough to melt the solder onto separately?

thanks

 

[kongwee]

To do a really good job. You should buy temperature controlled soldering iron. Also you should have a round tip instead of pointed tips for removing discreet components and termination of wire. Also you must try to heat the surface of the joints before apply the solder.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

shiny surface is biatch to solder. Especially if you are talking bout soldering to the back of pot for the grounding.

Anyway, if you wanna make it easier, try sanding the surface where you wanna solder(not the soldering iron tip), roughen the surface. With a well heated soldering iron, the lead will flow smoothly.

Another thing is using a 60/40 rosin core solder lead instead. Thats the same kind of lead which diy-ers usually recommend. Theres no need for additional stuff liao.

As for tinning the soldering tip, an easy way to do it, is to use steel wool(those for washing plates one will do). When you heat the lead with the soldering iron, a lump of the lead will form on the soldering iron tip, just dip it into the steel wool, the lead will be spread evenly. Steel wool will also double up for cleaning the soldering iron tip as well.

The process of soldering just need few second, touch the surface with the solder lead and go, kinda touch and go action. If you overheat the pot, the value of the pot will either drop or cause it to be short circuited(useless liao). So dont leave the soldering iron too long on the pot.

And to get a good shiny solder, you dont need expensive equipment. As long as the soldering iron is hot enough, 60/40 rosin core lead and more practises, you are good to go and able to, not just solder geetar wiring, but making effect pedals as well.

Oh and if you need pots to practice, pop by simlim tower and get those pots, its only $1 or $1.50 per piece, much much pore cheaper then using those pots meant for geetaring. As least even if destroying it, wont feel so bad

 

[IbanezFreak]

ah thanks guys...where exactly can i can the 60/40 lead solder?

 

[junkiemanxl]

40 watts should be sufficient for soldering pots.
The problem here might be the tip of your soldering iron. I too had faced this problem when i first started to learn soldering. All i did was change the soldering tip and always remember to keep the tip clean.

a tip on soldering iron care: when you are done, clean the tip and apply a coat of solder on the top of the tip and leave it to cool. Do this everytime you have a soldering session and it will prolong your tip life so it will be easier the next time you want to use it again.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

the 60/40 rosin core lead can be gotten from home fix or simlim tower. The commonly found brand is "asahi" Comes in a small drum.

 

[IbanezFreak]

ah thanks guys...i'll try it after my exams

Oh one more thing i should add,

This whole problem started even when my tip was brand new...And the solder wasn't sticking already...where can i get new tips ?

 

[kongwee]

The best solder I work with is Wonder Solder.
The least mess to work with.

High end solder is WBT,Siltech Solder Silver, Cardas as they contain 2-4% silver(harder to work with).
They may cost 3 digi for 500g.

I think all these solder can only be found at Adelphi.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

new tip, depending on the size, can be gotten from simlim tower 3rd floor. Couple of dollars. Anyway, to play safe, just bring along the soldering iron along to compare the size.

 

[IbanezFreak]

ok thanks guys, i'll just visit simlim when i start my hols,