Soldering

Soldering

Filing When the face (sides) of the soldering iron tip are pitted and covered with oxidation, they must be filed and smooth, down to bare copper. CAUTION: do not file soldering irons with plated tips.

Appling Solder After the tip has been properly filed, plug the iron into a circuit and heat. When the iron has reached its operating temperature, apply rosin core solder onto the tip until it is covered with a thin film or coating of solder. This film of solder will make a better heat transfer between the tip and the items to be solder and decrease tip

Wipe Using a damp cloth, damp sponge or steel wool, remove the excess solder and flux by brushing the tip lightly. Repeat this process about every three minutes when soldering. This will remove oxide formation on the tip. The soldering iron tip must be properly tinned to insure heat

Preheat All metal surfaces to be soldered, wire lead and terminal lug, must be clean and free of oxidation. Whenever possible tin the wire lead before connecting it into the circuit. Attach the component lead to the terminal lug by forming a tight mechanical connection. Position the soldering iron tip firmly against the wire lead and

Solder Application While the surfaces to be soldered are being heated, apply the solder on the side opposite to the connection from the soldering iron tip. This will insure that the metal parts have been sufficiently heated to accept the solder. DO NOT apply the solder directly to the soldering iron tip. Remove the solder feed when enough solder has been applied to form a thin coating.

Solder Flow After the solder feed has been removed, continue to heat the connection for an instant. This instant of additional heat will aid the flow of molten solder to all surfaces of the connection and insure against flux pockets. Remove the soldering iron from the connection in a smooth motion. Do not disturb

Soldering Irons The function of a soldering iron is to heat the metal items to be soldered to a temperature high enough to melt and flow solder.

Light-weight The light-weight iron (30-50 watts) is recommended for printed circuit soldering.

Medium-weight The mediumweight iron(50100 watts) is recommended for hand-wired circuit soldering.

Heavy-weight iron The heavy-weight iron (100-250 watts) is recommended for chassis construction.

Solder Solder, a tin/lead alloy, which melts at a low temperature is used to join two or more metal items together. This forms an electrical connection with no resistance between the conductors. It is recommended that a rosin core solder with 60% tin and 40% lead be used for all electronic construction.