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 I'm having a lot of trouble with PCB soldering		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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jacksix
New Member

1 Posts
Posted - Nov 25 2008 :  12:43:28 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi, I'm new here. I have been trying to build some guitar effects pedals and I'm having a really hard time with the soldering. For the component leads, I have made some passable joints, but most were iffy. The problem is, I understand the concept behind the technique, heat up the joint on one side with the iron and apply the solder to the opposite side in the proper amount, but I have held that iron to joints (lead plus the ring) for up to 60 seconds and it still doesn't melt the solder. I had to touch the solder to the iron and that will more than likely lead to a cold soder joint. The forum that is hosted by the pedal kit company has not yielded any answers. I have two questions. If you can answer either of them, then feel free to pose other questions and answers.

1. Is it possible that the solder is just crappy? It came from a computer repair kit (my job).

2. Is it possible that the iron is too cold? My house current is suspect as it is. Ain't homeownership great?!

I am a long time and avid guitarist and building these pedals seemed like a great idea. I am about to give up before really getting started, I am that frustrated. My first build passed a signal, but the solders were so bad that the sound was terrible. Hissy and squeaky.

Please bear in my mind the following, I am a 41 year old IT tech whose college degree is in Ceramic Engineering. I may not do material science for a living any more, but I went through rigorous scientific study as a college student. I understand what is going on with the soldering from a theoretical position better than most.

Thanks,
Jacksix

audioguru
Nobel Prize Winner

Canada
4218 Posts
Posted - Nov 25 2008 :  11:15:16 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Jack,
I have never tried the new type of solder without lead in it. All my solder is 63% zinc and 37% lead and it has many cores of rosin flux. My soldering iron tip is "tinned" with solder so it is clean and shiny. I clean the tip by wiping it on a damp sponge every few minutes when soldering.

My soldering iron has automatic temperature control so it is always at the correct temperature. Most cheap soldering irons get too hot which burns the rosin and burns the tip.
Each solder joint takes about 1 second. I have made millions of solder joints but never a bad one.
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Aaron Cake
Administrator

Canada
6718 Posts
Posted - Nov 26 2008 :  09:28:22 AM  Show Profile  Visit Aaron Cake's Homepage  Send Aaron Cake an ICQ Message  Send Aaron Cake a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
It sounds like you may be using poor solder and not heating the joint correctly. You need to apply heat to both sides of the joint. Both the component lead and board pad must be heated otherwise the solder will ball up on whatever part of the joint is hot and not actually adhere to the cold part. As audioguru mentioned, you need to use a rosin core solder. Regular old lead solder bought from the hardware store often requires the addition of flux and is not appropriate for electronics work. Also never use "acid core" solder. Keep the soldering tip clean and well tinned. I assume that you have a sharp pointed tip and not a blunt one?
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