Soldering Hints
Anyone working in electronics should learn how to solder well. Thankfully it isn't hard, it just
takes practice and having the proper tools. Once you are able to solder well, your projects
will be more professional and more reliable.
Refer to our video “How To Solder” for detailed explanations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDydYIVTqU&feature=channel_page
But before you get started, here are a few safety tips that should be followed:
Fumes from soldering can be harmful therefore it is important to always have adequate
ventilation.
Wear appropriate clothing when working around hot, molten solder. Never wear shorts
or open toes shoes.
Protect hands and equipment from burns by using a soldering iron holder. An
improperly stored soldering iron is a fire hazard
Do not eat, drink, or smoke while you are soldering. Limit exposure to lead.
Wash hands often when soldering.
Wear safety glasses when soldering.
Purpose of Soldering
Soldering is used to bond two or more metals together. By applying heat to a connection
and feeding solder into this connection, the solder will melt and flow around the metals. A
small surface amount of each of the metals will additionally melt and inter-mix with the liquid
solder forming an alloy. This connection is called an intermetallic bond and the two metals,
when properly soldered together, act as if it they were one solid piece.
Importance of Proper Soldering
Proper soldering is the basis for faithful equipment operation. A good solder connection is
physically strong and electrically reliable. A poorly soldered connection will have intermittent
operation which can cause electrical damage to neighboring components. At the very least, a
bad solder connection will create an unpleasant audible experience. Therefore the
importance of good soldering skills cannot be over emphasized. Your sound will rely on it.
Basic Soldering Rules
The following are some basic soldering rules that if followed, will result in a reliably soldered
connection every time:
1. Make sure the surfaces to be soldered are clean and free of corrosion. A dirty, greasy,
or oxidized surface will not accept solder properly, creating an intermittent solder
connection.
2. Establish a firm mechanical connection of the components prior to soldering. Solder
should only be used to develop an electrical connection and not a mechanical one.
B
Appendix B
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