Soldering skills
- Thread starter OldStuff
- Start date
billyz
Super Member
I’m sorry, that made me chuckle
This is just a reminder of what could happen when power stage caps are put in backwards.
It ain't pretty.
Homer goes BOOM!
AudioAvarice
Super Member
Tell that to some of the hill farmers around here, some of their land is still so polluted by Roman lead mines that they can't legally sell the meat from animals raised on it.
Well, I finally finished working on my McIntosh MC7007 CD player. Resistors and capacitors are now replaced. The last time I used it, "Play" wouldn't do anything. When I took the front board out and apart I noticed that the main connector really needed cleaning. I also found a connector that seemed to be loose. So, I lubricated it and made some adjustments and now I have been listening to it for a couple of hours. From what I can tell all of the buttons are now working well. It seems to be working like new once again. For all those who helped me, I want to Thank You and wish you "Happy Holidays!".
Guess I am late to the party. I use a dual solder station with a solder gun and a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is great, removes all the old solder so can get the hole clean and ready for installing the new part. It makes those wicks and hand pumps seem like a joke. I can remove every cap and have all the holes clean and ready to reinstall a new caps in very short order.
Other tips I was taught and think it a good practice. The solder is not to provide the means to hold an item in place but only to make a better connection. All devices and wires should be attached in a manner that they are secure prior to applying solder. Heat the item to the point that it is hot enough to melt the solder, don't melt the solder to apply to the connection, but rather heat the connection to melt the solder. Use a heat sink to protect the device. After each solder point, clean the tip on the wet sponge and then re-tin your tip.
I use to use the Weller solder stations but I hated the cheesy metal tips they used, not sure what tip my station uses but it seems more like a ceramic tip as it always seems like new and clean. The station I like, and use is sold on Parts Express, and is made by Stahl, the tip they use is a PTC tip, and it always seems like new, unlike other tips that seem to get old and fouled over time,
And buy a helping hand, which is a heavy base with alligator clips to hold everything in place while you solder with one hand and feed the solder with the other. Leave the item that you solder in place for a good bit of time prior to moving it, as the solder needs to fully cool prior to moving it.
Other tips I was taught and think it a good practice. The solder is not to provide the means to hold an item in place but only to make a better connection. All devices and wires should be attached in a manner that they are secure prior to applying solder. Heat the item to the point that it is hot enough to melt the solder, don't melt the solder to apply to the connection, but rather heat the connection to melt the solder. Use a heat sink to protect the device. After each solder point, clean the tip on the wet sponge and then re-tin your tip.
I use to use the Weller solder stations but I hated the cheesy metal tips they used, not sure what tip my station uses but it seems more like a ceramic tip as it always seems like new and clean. The station I like, and use is sold on Parts Express, and is made by Stahl, the tip they use is a PTC tip, and it always seems like new, unlike other tips that seem to get old and fouled over time,
And buy a helping hand, which is a heavy base with alligator clips to hold everything in place while you solder with one hand and feed the solder with the other. Leave the item that you solder in place for a good bit of time prior to moving it, as the solder needs to fully cool prior to moving it.
Also, amp and circuit board cradles help a ton!
i've got 2 of those, one for each bench. they aren't bad..about once a year i have to replace the soldering iron and the desolder gun but to be fair. it's made for a hobbyist and i use mine ALOT!
"Have desolder gun, will travel."
thats nice. mine are all tied to a base. thats how i wanted it tho but that would be nice to have as a portable unit.
"Have desolder gun, will travel."
but i'm no stranger to a solder sucker or wick.
This is the exact kit I found at an estate sale for cheep, and it has paid me back with dividends.
"Have desolder gun, will travel."
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Mine is as old as some of the solder I own. It's made like an armored tank.This is the exact kit I found at an estate sale for cheep, and it has paid me back with dividends.
Way older than mine. My oldest is 1990s era Kester. I think I tossed out the first batch I had. That was back before the meteor hit and killed all the dinosaurs.
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
A red dot with a Sharpee = positive.Let's see now, what was I designating with that dot, positive or negative?
Doug
mrehorst
Super Member
You can easily remove the marks with a Q-tip dipped in IPA...