Soldering knowledge, tips and tricks

[Leonthefaded]

So after reading a wonderful how to on soldering. And then watching youtube videos on it as well. I've decided to take on the art of soldering. I got a soldering iron and today I've begun practing soldering in anticipation of wiring in my new gauges without using wire crimping or just electrical tape, like I've done in the past. Doing it right the first time has become something I've learned from tuners and want to keep learning.

So far my practice attempt at soldering sucks. I will continue to practice but I figure some experianced dsmers out there would have some awesome tips and tricks for me and everyone else.

 

[compression]

Try twisting the wires together, to make them like one wire. Dont forget heat shrink! and i usually just rest the wire ontop of the tip and let it get hot, tap the solder on the iron and then touch it to the wire, when hot enough the wire will sort of "suck" the solder in.

 

[doubleclutch99]

I like to use silver solder on most stuff im doing because it seems to flow so much better. i also like to put a little die electric grease on the solder joint and then use shrink tube over the top . if you heat the ends of the shrink tube before the center it will help keep the grease active on the solder joint. also don't forget to use flux when necessary. the last tip i can give ya is to pick up one of these. Helping Hand - hobby tool with soldering stand | Edmund Scientific

 

[Leonthefaded]

I like to use silver solder on most stuff im doing because it seems to flow so much better. i also like to put a little die electric grease on the solder joint and then use shrink tube over the top . if you heat the ends of the shrink tube before the center it will help keep the grease active on the solder joint. also don't forget to use flux when necessary. the last tip i can give ya is to pick up one of these. Helping Hand - hobby tool with soldering stand | Edmund Scientific

I don't see that specific one on amazon, but there are very similar ones ill pick up asap. I need a third hand

 

[stars]

For your 3rd hand, invest in what is called the helping hand....Helping Hand With LED, Magnifier & Soldering Iron Holder - Tools - Helping Hands - Helping Hand With LED, Magnifier & Soldering Iron Holder - NewHamStore.com. I also suggest in investing in a 25 watt soldering iron w/stand. Use the 2 alligator clips to hold the wires together then join them as one whole wire when soldered together.. Just apply solder to the one wire then apply the solder to the other wire, lay the 2 on top of each other to join them as one complete wire and then heat the 2 wires together to make them as one whole wiring unit. Don't forget to use the tube shrink and install those first b4 you join the 2 wires together. Use a Bic lighter to heat the tube shrink up to cover the soldered wire(s) areas. Like mentioned above silver solder works the best and flows more freely than conventional solder w/rosin core. You can make a cheaper alternative but, if you love to solder allot like I do, $25 bux is worth the investment that the wires will be held together without getting your finger tips burned. Soldering is like micro welding,,,soon as you get the concept and technique down to the art.. you will will never use butt connectors or electrical tape again. You will always invest in tube shrink and the best money solder can buy. Welcome to the world of electronics, you will never go back to the old school way of electrical connectors! Best of luck, keep practicing and practice makes for perfection! It's all about trial and error..... you have to make mistakes to learn what works and doesn't work in order to be a successful micro welder!

 

[Leonthefaded]

This is going to come in handy when I bring my soldering and de-soldering skills to computer's and other electronics, sure speaker wires and boost gauge wires are one thing but printed circutboards are another

 

[jtmcinder]

Has anyone ever seen Leon and Keiya at the same time?

 

[red_devil]

Like stated twist the wires together first. If using shrink tube keep it down the wire away from the heat. Keep a wet spunge close to clean the tip. The trick is to get the wires hot enough then apply the solder to the wire.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Has anyone ever seen Leon and Keiya at the same time?

All I know is from keiyas how to I am fasinated with soldering now.

 

[blktalon3]

The slightest breeze will kill your heat also. The joint I use for joining two wires is called a western union. It's twisting the wires together so they are in a line and not side by side, then soldering. Also if you get a little solder on the tip of your soldering iron when your wires are hot enough it pulls that little bit of solder into the joint and helps heat it up faster.