[simpits-tech] Soldering how-to

Mon Oct 10 16:34:29 PDT 2011

Forgot to add: Cutting leads: I use Nippers. 

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Swanstrom%20Photos/S491E.jpg 

Reason being is that normal wire cutters have angled cutting surfaces on both sides of the cutting area.. This can translate into mechanical shock into the component. (Especially worrisome with germanium diodes) 

The ones shown have a flat outer cutting area with the cutting angle located on the inside surface, so the cutting shock is directed away from the component. 

----- Original Message -----
From: raysot at comcast.net 
To: "Simulator Cockpit Builder's List" <simpits-tech at simpits.org> 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 4:25:47 PM 
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Soldering how-to 

Some soldering techniques I use: 

The old saying "Measure twice, cut once" applies here... Make certain you have all component orientation identified.. Nothing worse than having to unsolder a 40-pin DIP to turn it around. 

IC's: Use sockets wherever possible. There's nothing worse than soldering in a 40-pin DIP only to discover you have it in backwards (Not... that I've ever done that......=) 

ICs: I soldering the pins like you would tighten the lug nuts on a tire.. Alternating patterns (Pins 1,8... 2,9... 3,10...) Keeps the heat relatively disbursed around the package 

Discrete components: If I have a lot of them to solder, I solder one lead on each, completing the set, then return and solder the other lead. 

Transistors/Mosfets/Triacs & Diodes, etc: Solder 1 lead, wait about 20-30 seconds, solder another lead, repeat.... 

Use as fine a soldering tip as possible (I use .03 or something like that) 

Get a metal scrub pad for cleaning your tip 

Use hard flux to really get the dirt off ( I have a tin of the stuff and it's great for cleaning.. just move the tip around inside the tin until clean) It's like really hard silly putty) 

Ground your soldering iron. 

Use rubbing alcohol to clean the circuit card after soldering to remove the flux. Left intact, the flux will start to deteriorate the board runs and solder joints. 

Soldering wires onto boards: "Tin" the wires first 

Large components: (Relays, power transistors...) Solder these in first... it gets all the big-heat items out of the way so your not soldering a huge relay next to a 1n914 diode which is rather sensitive to heat... 

SMD ICs: Make a mistake here and forget it. (Order a backup circuit card =) I have a few decades of experience under my soldering belt but SMDs.. unless you have the gear for it.. are really tricky.. They can be done, but it does take some practice. 

Speaking of SMDs.. get a shop magnifying lamp and a circuit card holder :-) 

Hope that helps! 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Sturcbecher" <jimsturs at xs4all.nl> 
To: "Simulator Cockpit Builder's List" <simpits-tech at simpits.org> 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 3:48:28 PM 
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Soldering how-to 

I agree on the tools, bits and angles comments, Chris. 
The guys' technique does leave a bit to be desired. And 
yes, I also cut my leads after soldering with good 
quality angle nose cutters; but doing this will fail you 
on getting "Space-Qualified-Soldering" Certification. 

I posted this video link mostly as it gives a basic 
understanding as to "why" you solder with flux-cored 
solder and what cleaning and tinning is all about, etc. 
Most of the rest comes with practice. 

Main point is keeping everything clean and applying the 
iron and solder to the right points in the right order 
'at and for' the right time. 

Jim. 

-----Original Message----- 
From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org 
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of Cris Harrison 
Sent: 10 October 2011 23:25 
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List; brian at sikkema.us 
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Soldering how-to 

On 10/10/2011 2:27 PM, Jim Sturcbecher wrote: 
> Have a quick look at this short video. Covers the basics 
> and gives a good background as to why you do certain things 
> in the soldering process. Here is the link: 
> 
> http://www.veoh.com/watch/v856147aJkKFNGA 
> 
> There is a short ad first. 
> 
> Have fun, 
> Jim. 
> 
<msg snip> 
> 
they go most of it right - but some things are flat out wrong. 
1. cut your leads after your board is cooled - a min or two 
2. hold your soldering iron at a much higher angle... like 60 degs. or 
about 30 deg from vertical. 
3. most of what you will be soldering will use a conical or taper tip. 
if you need a chisel tip. then you are going to solder a much larger 
part... 
4. get some solder wick for unsoldering 
5. get a solder pull-it vac for unsoldering 
6. say away from sandpaper it leave grit on things 
7. get a 'pink' eraser its good for cleaning pcbs 
8. if one pink eraser is good then two is better mounted in a U shaped 
spring steel (beryllium) is good for components. 

Cris H 

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