Why is soldering so difficult?
 

I recorded a video what what happens when I try to "tin" the iron. Even if I try to melt solder I somehow managed to get onto a connector to get a wire in there, it takes forever and then the plastic starts to melt. WTF :twisted:

Soldering WTF - YouTube

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

And what is the bbcode for youtube embedding or is it a user level thing?

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Your tip is very dirty. Try cleaning it while hot with a damp cellulose sponge. You may need a new tip.

You want to clean tip each time you apply solder.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Clean, clean, clean! A stainless brush may be needed to knock the oxide off your iron tip. Do it while the iron is cool, and while the iron heats up keep trying to feed solder on the iron to "tin" it. There is only a small window between too cool and hot enough to form another oxide layer, so don't get bored and walk away for a minute! Non plated tips are a real pain to keep up too, and will pit quickly because of the rosin in the solder.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

So that is my only problem? I had the same result when I first took it out of the package. Is one of those soldering stations where iron sits in a slot better and letting it heat up and not stay expose to oxidize?

I have tries so many times (about 15) to even get one soldered connection and about ready to give up on it.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Looks like your first problem. A black tip just won't work, it has to have a nice shiny blob of solder sticking to it for the heat to transfer proper.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

That tip is nasty. First clean that tip! I would get some flux. Homepot has it with the solder for pipes(2.99). It comes in a white container. Clean the top then put about flux on it. When the tip starts to smoke touch the solder on it. A wire brush will clean it or a file works also(cold). When you solder wires put a little flux on the wire and on what you are slodering. The wires should be nice and shiny not dark brownish. The wire should look like a new penny.
Good luck.

This is a very good video on keeping that tip clean.....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W4gmLFLYeiQ

A longer but very imformative video.....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=umDGysGSn_8

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Basic Soldering Lesson 1 - "Solder & Flux" - YouTube

This guy is like the Mr Rodgers of soldering! 80s training videos FTW! Learning some stuff for serious though.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

:shock: definitely clean it

Also, you might want to consider a bigger tip for deans plugs.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

I just had the same problem. I was able to use a wire brush to get it clean. I found that the tip has to already have melted solder on it or you will just wait and wait without making a pool. I HATE haveing to solder anything. I would rather weld sida cans.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Bigger tip? :shock:

It's so big already i foul up the deans plastic or I touch the other lead and loose all my heat :cry:

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Clean the tip, tin it and use a 60/40 solder and get some rosin flux! instead of a sponge for cleaning, get some brass wool tip cleaner (aka golden pubic hair)

I recommend a Hakko fx888 soldering station.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

ive used a 750degree Weller for ages with no issues!

as stated abve^
CLEAN TIP
Pre-tin wire and connector
Simple touch to the wire & connector while iron is at its hottest point

TaDaH!
and i aint got no fancy station either

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

I think the flux will help out. I wire brushed the crap out of the tip and still seems not clean. Maybe some sandpaper?

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

But soldering is so much more fun with me fancy station........

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

I've been using the same $12 Craftsman 45 watt iron for years. Burned my first one up after 6 months by leaving it plugged in over a weekend. Oops.

I've been able to solder as large as 10 ga stranded wire without too much difficulty.

Do yourself a favor and get the rosin cored electrical solder. Don't use the flux paste and standard solder. It's not as clean or easy to use.

Marcus

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

I had all kinds of problems with soldering until I got all the proper gear. Rosin flux, 60/40 solder, and a Trak Power station. Makes life 1000 easier. I now enjoy soldering since i touch wires and it melts and solder flows great!

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

Hakko 936, you should be able to find them cheaper since the new one came out awhile back. Decent sized chisel tip, clean it on the sponge after every time you put solder on it and when you aren't using it, clean, tin and turn the heat down or off. Leaving them on for lengthy periods of time with no solder on the tip will ruin it pretty quickly.

You do need a bigger tip, they transfer heat faster so you don't have to be on the joint as long, thus keeping the overall heat down and you won't melt plugs.

Re: Why is soldering so difficult?
 

+1.

The larger tip has a larger thermal mass, thus retaining heat better. A decent unit will also have a surplus of heating capability to bring the temp back up.

For myself, I have a nice but basic soldering pencil. I believe it's a 65watt that I use for small wires as well as 10ga tinned braid for NiCD/NiMH pack cell connections.
For small to medium stuff it's great.
For really big stuff, I have a 2 stage Weller gun that is older than ~70% of those on this forum.:cry::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao: