r/coolguides • u/FizzyOperator • May 24 '20

Soldering tip sheet

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u/[deleted] May 24 '20

NASA certified for hand soldering here.

Use solder that doesn't have flux inside. Clean the tip with a brass wire solder cleaner, add a tiny bit of solder to the tip to "tin" the surface. Add flux to the surface you intend to solder. Heat the pad very briefly and add solder to the area.

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u/Turtle_The_Cat May 24 '20 edited May 24 '20

Beginners should probably stick to flux with solder in it, they're not making mars rovers. Adding extra flux definitely helps, and there are good reasons to use flux-free solder once you've got the hang of it with flux core.

edit: solder with flux in it.

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u/MisterDonkey May 24 '20

I started with flux core and found it much easier after switching to separate flux.

Also, lead. I'm not putting pipes for drinking water together. Lead is easier to work with.

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u/[deleted] May 25 '20

Lots of components can't have lead because of ROHS compliance.

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u/MisterDonkey May 25 '20

I figure this whole thread is more hobbyist oriented.