SOLDERING PROCEDURE
Before trying new work, practice on old articles from the scrap box to familiarize yourself with the general procedures.
1. Clean work by immersing in an ultrasonic.
2. Arrange work so that hands can be held steady. The idea is to provide a complete electrical circuit, with the carbon
at the point to be soldered.
3. Attach contact clip to the article, as near as possible to the joint being soldered. If clips cannot be used, use point-
ed brass rod in the large clip to make contact. Adjust carbon so that you can conveniently touch the joint to be sol-
dered. If two different size pieces are being joined, attach the contact clip to the larger piece.
4. Place solder at the joint. Where two separate pieces are to be joined, it is usually preferable to place the solder
between them or directly under the joint. Placing solder on top of the work usually results in the solder forming a ball
and rolling away. It is sometimes convenient to “tack” the solder at low heat to one part before fusing the joint together.
5. Apply flux to solder as well as joint to be soldered. Keep flux away from carbon as much as possible.
6. The heat control should be set to the correct setting. If you are not sure of the setting, set the control in the middle.
Remember that a small point of contact will create intense heat. After a little practice you will be able to determine
the exact settings for different jobs and metals.
7. Bring the joint to be soldered in contact with the carbon and hold steady. Avoid using undue pressure, as flat spots
or deformation may occur. Apply the heat by stepping on the floor switch.
8. If the solder flows immediately (within 3 seconds), release the foot switch before removing the work from the carbon.
If the solder does not flow immediately, clean all components and start again. If the heat control was initially set too
high, the joint might burn. It is possible for the quick, intense heat to oxidize the joint, thereby destroying the electri-
cal contact. Examine the article carefully for discoloration caused by oxidation. If discolored, start over again, clean-
ing the article and solder thoroughly.
9. To establish a complete circuit, all components must be free of contamination. File carbon as well as articles to be
joined.
FLUXES
Because most metals oxidize when heated, a flux must be used to dissolve the oxides. Oxides prevent solder from
adhering and flowing. The flux also acts as a protective film to keep the air away from the metal, thus checking oxida-
tion.
Oxides formed by hard metal alloys are different from those formed in softer metals. Fluxes are compounded especial-
ly for the metals and alloys which will be used in each soldering process. Furthermore, fluxes must withstand the tem-
perature used in each process. Selection of the correct type of flux is important. Various fluxes are listed in our catalog,
along with recommendations for use.
SOLDERS
The type selected must melt at a lower temperature than the pieces being joined or the work will melt before the solder.
The solder must bond with the metals being joined. Generally, metals which can be alloyed with the work should be pre-
sent in the solder. It is often important that the joints be invisible and the color of the solder should match the original
piece. It is for this reason that there is a gold solder to match almost every color and karat of gold.
CLEANLINESS
To form a strong bond, the solders and metals to be joined must be clean. Scratch brush and scrape the area to be sol-
dered so that it is visually clean and bright. If piece heats and solder does not flow, clean and start again.
Carbons should also be kept clean by using coarse emery cloths, leaving the surface somewhat rough. A quick wipe
with a moist cloth after every soldering will prevent a build-up of foreign matter, for better contact.
PACKING LIST
This machine has been carefully packaged with the following items. Please check carefully before discarding any pack-
aging material.
Tapered Carbon
54.054
Pencil Carbon
54.056
Alligator Clip
54.059
Cylindrical Carbon
54.057
Clamp with Lug
54.060
Cylindrical Flat Carbon
54.058
Carbon Holder and Base
54.064
Small Pencil Carbon (2 pieces)
54.055
Contact Rod
54.063
Carbon holder and base includes the following parts: cast iron base, 2 round head machine screws, wing nut, U-bracket, carbon
bracket, tubing connector and directions for assembling.
Unit No.:
Packaged by:
GROBET USA
®
Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072
