First time soldering to a Prototype Circuit Solder Board - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: fixit7
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 01:32:20 am
content: I soldered my components today for the 1st time.I needed insulated wire and all I had was stranded.Did not find much use for the bare 26 gauge tinned copper wire.So I twisted the ends of the insulated wire and put some solder on the ends to stiffen it up and keep the wires together.I had to use my 4X magnifier. Could have used a 10x.I can see why a smaller diameter solder is better as the wider stuff likesto bridge gaps where you don't want it to.I used a very fine tip on my soldering iron.It did not last long before it was a nub. ?I had iron set for 300 degrees C.Andy

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 01:37:41 am
content: Three things are of interest when talking about tip wear...1. Temperature2. Tip3. Solder300ºC shouldn't be a problem, so if you are reasonably confident in the accuracy of that temperature (within, say, ±20ºC) then the question falls back on the tip and the solder.Can you provide a photo showing the tip and the label on the solder. That could give us some answers.

author: fixit7
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 02:18:01 am
content: Solder has no label. I bought at Radio Shack but that store closed at least 3 years ago.Tip on the right is the one where the narrow tip melted away.Iron is a Hakko knockoff.I do not have the equipment to check the actual temp.I was thinking of getting a multimeter with a temperature probe.https://www.dropbox.com/s/a2gg086pqi21r63/Sold_Tips.png?dl=0I am still learning the software for drawing circuits.https://www.dropbox.com/s/oa4hacsrotpvkw6/laser_alarm_circuit.png?dl=0

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 03:17:55 am
content: I suggest you put the tip back on and warm up the iron so you can wipe off any solder using a paper towel or whatnot. Then take another look. Perhaps it is supposed to be like that, and what melted was just a solder blob.The stranded wire will eventually break if the circuit is handled or subject to vibration. I started out using stranded ethernet wire. Also, my noobness resulted in a lot of jumpers. Some years down the line, these jumpers start to break, and the whole circuit becomes junk-not-worth-repairing. It is much better to use solid core wire for intra pcb jumpers. The stranded wire is better for connecting two different pcbs that will not be fixed in relation to each other, but you need to use some sort of strain relief.

author: fixit7
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 03:50:27 am
content: I plan on ordering solid core insulated wire to use in everything.My laser detection circuit board will be in a fixed location and not subject to vibration.It has a piece of PVC tube over the cadmium photocell to keep ambient light from keeping the photocell from reacting to bright normal light.It requires laser light to strike the surface, when the beam is interrupted the buzzer goes off .

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 11:04:27 am
content: QuoteDo not bother if it is to check soldering iron temperature. It will not work.You will need to solder the thermocouple to get the temperature but then you have ruined the thermocouple.If the iron melts solder, it is working.Soldering is down to techique. It is also down to personnel preference.Work out what works for you, stick to it unless someone shows you something better.QuoteI have not had that problem.I make sure that link wires on strip board is flat against the board and exactly the right length, ie no loose wires that will shake or move.For very early learning, use what you have and keep the costs down. Develop your own techniques.Hope this helps.