Soldering Tips and Tricks...

These basic soldering tips should get you started in the right direction if you are not an experienced solderer. But first lets define soldering...

As with welding, soldering is the technique of joining two metals to each other (or even plastic). This joining of two metals is done by using an alloy of lead and tin called solder. As we all know for joining anything we require some glue like thing. This solder acts as the same. For this the solder has to be melted to provide it between the two metals. For melting any solid metal we require heat. But this solder is made of such an alloy that it melts at a very low melting point. Lets begin our soldering tips...

For good soldering we should use some good techniques. Following are some tips for good soldering.

Soldering Tips Part 1:

• Before starting soldering make use of the soldering iron stand and keep the soldering iron in it.
• Melt a little amount of solder on the tip of the iron. This procedure is called tinning. This helps the heat to spread over the iron bit and to the tip of the iron.

Solder Tips Part 2:

• Touch the tip of the soldering iron on to the joint of the component wire and the track. Remember to heat the joint and apply solder directly to the joint and not on the iron. This is because the solder contains flux which removes the dust and dirt from the joint and helps the solder to flow freely on to the joint.

• While removing the soldering iron remove the solder first then the soldering iron.

• Stick all the components to be soldered on the places where it is to be soldered on the board.

Soldering Tips Part 3

• Name them R1, R2, C1 C2 and so on according to the circuit diagram. This makes distinguishing the component easy while soldering.

• While connecting the components special care should be taken for sensitive components like transistors, electrolytic capacitors, diodes. Small range capacitors and resistances can be connected in any direction. The only precaution to be taken for capacitors are they tend to get damaged due to heat generated during soldering. For electrolytic capacitor one leg of the capacitor is always marked either positive (+) or negative (-) and connect the capacitor with the right polarity according to the circuit diagram. Same goes with the diodes. The diodes conduct in only one direction so connecting it in the opposite direction may not only damage the diode but also make the circuit inoperable. Special care is to be taken for transistors as it has three legs. The base will be marked with the dot and the cathode will be marked with K and not C. by seeing this connect the transistor correctly according to the circuit diagram.

Soldering Tips Part 4:

• While soldering always remember the solder should be in a form of a volcano and it should be shining. For this sufficient amount of flux is to be used so that the solder flows freely and the metal does not get oxidized on cooling.

• Another very sensitive component is ICs (integrated circuit). Connecting an IC in a wrong direction may damage the IC and the circuit permanently. So special care should be taken while connecting ICs. ICs are also prone to static shocks. So always remember to ground yourself before touching an IC by touching an iron rod or iron table or some metal parts.

If you found these soldering tips helpful you might find our free mini course on welding helpful as well, and we will throw in more details in terms of soldering, welding advice, and much more!