[GUIDE] [UPDATE! Part 2] Soldering School - AKA Don't wreck your new AIO board!

[jellybelly]

at work we have some seriously expensive digital soldering stations and i normaly take stuff there to do it, i only have big stuff at home

but stubbled across this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/60w-mains-lcd ... tion-a55kj on offer in maplins and must admit it is a brilliant bit of kit and especially for the offer price

[abrugsch]

Wow! Something well priced at maplin!

[Phil]

Great introduction! I can not wait for the second part of your guide when it (hopefully) goes through the process of soldering.

[abrugsch]

I have it half written, just need to find some time to finish the next part...

I did the first part during a lunch break but I'm at home atm doing a pre-Christmas prep task that's eating all my time...

[abrugsch]

Sorry guys, Christmas has been unusually busy for me this year and I haven't had time to finish Part 2 yet. (hardly even touched a computer for the last couple of weeks!) but now silly season is more or less over, I should be able to finish this very soon!

[Eccho]

I'm really looking forward to it.

[abrugsch]

OK! Part 2 IS LIVE! (in second post)

[Glyph]

Great work !
I am stuck with a dark tip that does not melt the solder..
I tried to sand it, it gets better but not has I am expecting.
My solder doesn't stick to the tip when I try to make it shiny.
Is it good for garbage ?

Thank you

[kite]

Great work !
I am stuck with a dark tip that does not melt the solder..
I tried to sand it, it gets better but not has I am expecting.
My solder doesn't stick to the tip when I try to make it shiny.
Is it good for garbage ?

Thank you

You should NEVER file or sand the tip.. tip cleaner and plenty of melting solder and wiping off with wet sponge can bring it back.. a dark tip means it's been too hot, and is possible still too hot (you may find it just vaporizes the solder and keeps forming little balls.. too hot!). I have seen where a tip has been sanded and the material underneath the outer layer gets eaten by the solder/flux and makes holes over it. The outside of the tip is coated in something (at a guess) and sanding it just ruins it.

Get a new tip, dial down the temp, get one of those wire wool things and a good sponge.. and every so often tin the tip, wipe on sponge, and poke into the wire bits

This is a great guide! I have never been able to use desoldering braid.. I use the solder sucker or a reflow gun for big things!

[abrugsch]

I have never been able to use desoldering braid.. I use the solder sucker or a reflow gun for big things!

I find it's just one tool in an arsenal. Rarely will a desoldering task need just one tool. The braid is essential for cleaning up though...