Soldering question

[Maynard]

Hi everyone,
I'm a first time crack builder, I dont know if I've used too much solder on some of the joints, they look nice and shiny, and are connecting the wires to the posts, from what I can see, but will they be as effective as a more economically soldered joint? i.e. one that just covers the wire and post or lug?
thanks

[Grainger49]

First, welcome to the friendliest site on the net.  You will get all the help you need here.

You want to make a mechanical joint first.  Take the wire or component lead and form a J with it.  Then crimp it onto the terminal or tube pin. 

When you solder have a touch of solder on the pen point that is liquid.  Apply the pen to all leads on the terminal or tube pin and allow the liquid solder to heat them.  After a few seconds apply the solder to the opposite side and it should start to flow. 

When it has flowed onto the terminal/tube pin and the wires/component leads you are through. 

It sounds like you have made good joints but maybe used more solder than necessary.

How about posting a picture?

[staykov]

Could you recommend a general soldering guide where I can learn more about what kind of solder to use etc. I am considering a Bottlehead amp and this is going to be my first time holding a solder.

[Paul Birkeland]

We recommend a simple rosin core 60/40 leaded solder.  (This is covered in the Crack manual)

Any solder or flux for plumbing will ruin your project.

-PB

[Maynard]

Hi grainger, thanks for the welcome! Yes I probably have but I've done my best to crimp the wire onto the post but wow there were some fiddley bits! In some instances I put a little more solder on some connections after they had set to ensure that the wire and post were connected fully. Is that ok?
I shall attach some pics.

[EarWorm]

Got to love a comic book

http://mightyohm.com/files/soldercomic/FullSolderComic_EN.pdf

[Grainger49]

When reheating a solder joint you want to only add a little solder, I put it on the tip of the iron.  Watch that the solder liquifies and wait a second then remove the iron.

The key is seeing the solder on all the leads liquify and keeping the heat on for 2-3 seconds.

[Doc B.]

Pretty good cartoon. But don't blow on the joint while soldering it to blow the smoke away. That will create a cold joint. And it's not always a good idea to knock the PC board on the table to remove excess solder, particularly if you have the entire board stuffed before you solder. You can end up knocking the solder onto another part of the board. The cutters for the leads that one wants to use are specifically known as side cutters. They are able to trim flush with the solder joint.

[i luvmusic 2]

 When cutting excess leads make sure you hold it on the tip and cut under,I was being careless cutting those leads and a small piece got into something under the amp and created a short.

[Doc B.]

It's a good idea to flip the amp right side up and give it a little shake when you are finished trimming the leads. That will usually make any cut ends fall out. It's one of the standard procedures at our workbench.

[EarWorm]

While we are on the subject of soldering can someone suggest a decent quality magnifying visor as in a jewelers type visor?

There seems to be quite a few on the market that seem to be junky and was looking for advice from someone who owns a nice working visor. 

I'll be using it to solder and my wife will use it for jewelry making.

[2wo]

Check this thread...John

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=1769.0

[EarWorm]

Thanks for the link, should be something in there for sure.

  I love this forum.