Rubbish soldering

gnu · 9th May 2021, 11:32

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.

roverbarmy · 9th May 2021, 11:56

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!

kaiser · 9th May 2021, 12:43

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.

gnu · 9th May 2021, 17:58

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...

trikey · 9th May 2021, 21:31

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!

Thunderbolt · 9th May 2021, 21:43

I feel your pain.
I have lost the knack.

9th May 2021, 11:32	#1
gnu Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bristol Posts: 696 Thanks: 332 Thanked 164 Times in 133 Posts	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. __________________ gnu

9th May 2021, 11:56	#2
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	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! __________________ Oil in my veins!

9th May 2021, 12:43	#3
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	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. __________________ Worth his V8 in gold

9th May 2021, 17:58	#4
gnu Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bristol Posts: 696 Thanks: 332 Thanked 164 Times in 133 Posts	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... __________________ gnu

9th May 2021, 21:31	#5
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,773 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	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! __________________ Lest we forget..

9th May 2021, 21:43	#6
Thunderbolt Avid contributor MG ZT-T+ 190 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Bristol Posts: 224 Thanks: 101 Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts	I feel your pain. I have lost the knack. __________________ 1186th ZT-T 190 out of 1756