Soldering Electronic Components

If you are new to soldering electronic components, here are a few helpful hints. Use a small 25 to 30 watt iron with a good pointed tip. When you first use the iron, as soon as it heats enough to melt solder, place a small amount of solder around the tip. Next wipe off the excess with a damp cloth and then repeat the same process. Now you will have a "tinned" tip and it will solder much better. Remember to heat the wire and apply a small amount of solder from the other side. If you have heated the wire enough the solder will flow in and around the joint.

The biggest mistake is to use too much solder and not enough heat. You will know when it's right, it will look shiny with no cracks.

On printed circuit boards, don't let the solder pool and flow between the copper traces or the thing won't play.

It only takes a little practice to get it right. So are you ready to practice? Good, here is what you need to do next.

Go shopping for a good low wattage soldering iron that works but is not expensive. No need to spend alot of money on an iron right now.

Later you will probably want to get a nice soldering station, but for now, let's not spend too much money while learning to solder and build working circuits. While you are there, don't forget to pick up a roll of solder. Remember to use only rosin, or water soluble, core solder.

Never use acid core solder as the acid will eat away the copper printed circuit board and that will be the end of that project!

Soldering Electronic Components isn't hard it just takes a little practice.