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Reply With QuoteSearch for Aaron Cake's page he has a guide to soldering. You should be able to find a post by him nearly anywhere especially in the announcement forums and I think he has a link in his sig.
My VFD came today! For that thread, please visit: My VFD came today. Now what?
Anyway, I'm going to need to learn how to solder, as I have no experience with doing that. Now I seem to remember a little while ago seeing a quick rundown of soldering on a member's page but I can't seem to find it anymore. In addition, it only covered one "type" of soldering that I seem to need to do.
The one type is soldering things (presumably wires) to a board. My VFD has a 14 "pin" connector which is actually 14 holes. (See the other thread). From what I understand, I put the wire through the hole and put the soldering iron to the hole and wire to heat them up. Then put the solder against the wire and hole. Any more details on doing this would be much appreciated!
The other type is soldering two wires together. What is the best way to do this? Also, heatshrink tubing has been recommended for the job of soldering two wires together.
My questions: Could I get some recommendations on what soldering iron, solder, and heatshrink tubing to buy? Are there any other materials I will need that I am overlooking?
Also, are there any tips or tricks anyone could offer? Any methods of practicing so I get the hang of it quickly?
THanks guys, I really appreciate it!
Search for Aaron Cake's page he has a guide to soldering. You should be able to find a post by him nearly anywhere especially in the announcement forums and I think he has a link in his sig.
Josh Karger
By reading this post you agree to overlook all grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors! ;)
Practice, get an old bit of strip board and a few scrape components and practice till you feel happy with it.
Us a proper soldering iron holder, I've burn my fingers loads of times by picking up the wrong end.
Use an iron wire a fine tip, (but not too fine, ie sface mount irons) avoid guns they are only good for very big wires.
Get an iron with changeable tips, the reason behind this is obvious.
Use a damp spounge to keep the tip clean.
Varable temp irons are nice, but tend to be OTT for the home.
Clamps to hold stuff still are worth there weight in gold.
I personnal like the temperature of the tip of the iron to be around 360 degrees, good clean joins, but you won't cook anything.
Lastly don't use the iron to re-heat your coffee
Rob
And you say people actually pay money for M$ Windows?
www.mp3mini.co.uk (Does what it says on the URL) www.openclassic.co.uk (The new car, with zero rust!) www.rob-web.co.uk (My other site)
Total re-design underway: on the whole progress is very slow as the car is taking up too much time :)
Wow, thanks for such quick responses! Sheesh!
Well okay! About the "strip board and a few srap components", I have neither. I am really a newbie, but I learn fast so please bear with me. Also, I don't think I'll be soldering any electrical components, just wires (unless I'm off base.) Any thoughts? Thanks!
You just aren't looking in the right places. Soldering irons are good for loosening solder, as well as putting it on. You can get some old components from a broken piece of electronics, but the best place for most would probably be an old modem or sound card. Use the iron to loosen the solder on some of the larger components and then take some time putting them back on.Originally posted by King_Xerxes
About the "strip board and a few srap components", I have neither.
It doesn't take much to get the feel of the iron, but a couple minutes practice might save some of your valuable pieces.
Brian
p.s. I don't know anyone who didn't burn themselves once the first time they used an iron. Except me... I burned myself twice. I'm a slow learner sometimes.
Good point.
I have a 14.4 blazer around here somewhere...
Any thoughts on soldering wires together and/or heatshrink tubing?
For most wires, I twist them tight, put some solder on, and use a lighter to heat the tubing. The solder helps hold the wires together, but your twist should do most of the work, as solder isn't a strong bond. Just remember to slip the tubing onto one of the wires before you twist and solder.Originally posted by King_Xerxes
Any thoughts on soldering wires together and/or heatshrink tubing?
Pretty straightforward, no magic.
Brian
Originally posted by Rob
Lastly don't use the iron to re-heat your coffee
Rob
dont?
hey, I do one of the meanest '30Watt' Cafe Latte's known to man!!!
Project - GAME OVER :(
The best advice i can offer is called "tinning". This is a process in which takes just a minute but he results are worth the time.
-Take the two wires your going to connect
-Heat one wire with the soldering iron while pressing the solder against the wire itself (not the soldering iron)
-Let the wire absorb solder
-Repeat for other wire
-Add enough solder to tip of soldering iron to just make a small coating on the tip.
-Place the two "tinned" wires next to each other
-heat will fuse two wires perfectly with the least resistance
By heating the wire not the solder, the wire will by capilary action, "soak" up the solder
Try to use a 40/60 lead and atleast a 30W soldering iron for best results
"A4 Quattro. Rocket Science."
make sure whatever you are soldering (example, speakers) are not plugged in at the other end. I've noticed my iron carries about 2 volts (it lit up a 3.7 volt LED when I was soldering it and it was grounded.) and you could possibly damage an amp or something.
Clarion 200watt head unit w/ Aux in.
Kicker 800watt 4 channel amp
In a 96 Grand Prix SE.
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