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9th May 2021, 11:32 | #1 |
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Rubbish soldering
I'm just in from repairing some electronics in the garage, with the realisation I have become really rubbish at soldering. I struggle now to even tin the wires and the finished job doesn't look too tidy. I used to be okay at it! Could this be related to solders being sold as lead-free now? I noted the solder I used was mainly tin, with a bit of copper and silver alloyed in.
Any tips, like substances to clean the wires and circuit. I used to just strip the wire clean and it worked fine.
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9th May 2021, 11:56 | #2 |
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My soldering iron had a removable tip which was covered in corrosion. I removed and cleaned all of it with emery tape, re-tinned the tip with solder and my soldering was back to normal! Maybe the corrosion was preventing the tip from heating properly. Cleanliness is next to Godliness with soldering it seems!
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9th May 2021, 12:43 | #3 |
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Depends on what you are soldering.
New RoHS compliant PCBs are often difficult. I have some solder from my grand fathers time, so it could be about 100 years old. Flows much better than the new stuff, and seems to wet the work far better. I am quite sure some of the recent "progress" not only in this area, but generally, is none of that.
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9th May 2021, 17:58 | #4 |
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Thanks for you comments. Actually I have moved on to a different soldering iron as the old one broke. I’ve used up all the solder I inherited from my father, so am using some lead-free stuff now. I’ll try another brand and clean my iron...
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9th May 2021, 21:31 | #5 |
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Don't forget the iron can lose power over time, my old faithful one now won't solder outside as it has NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- a bit old!
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9th May 2021, 21:43 | #6 |
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I feel your pain.
I have lost the knack.
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