Can't solder...

[mit74]

I'm a beginner at soldering and have done a few solders on old circuit boards but half way through de-soldering a jack the solder wouldn't melt. I tried to clean the tip, add some flux and tinning but the solder now seems to run off the tip and won't stick . Thinking the cheap iron I bought wasn't working properly I went and bought another iron but that too won't melt the solder or allow me to tinn it. What am I doing wrong?

 

[ut1dot]

Get som emerycloth clean the tip and re-tin are you using plumbing solder? shouldnt need flux its combind in the solder.

 

[mit74]

no using electrical solder. Will try that emercloth

 

[ian.settle1]

I'm a beginner at soldering and have done a few solders on old circuit boards but half way through de-soldering a jack the solder wouldn't melt. I tried to clean the tip, add some flux and tinning but the solder now seems to run off the tip and won't stick . Thinking the cheap iron I bought wasn't working properly I went and bought another iron but that too won't melt the solder or allow me to tinn it. What am I doing wrong?

Could be tip is to small to heat the area and what heat is getting into it is disappating faster than you can get it to correct temp to remove component

 

[mit74]

Could be tip is to small to heat the area and what heat is getting into it is disappating faster than you can get it to correct temp to remove component

I was soldering perfectly well and did about 5 good desolders with vacuum before this happened.

 

[johnboy6083]

im not into electronics, but ive installed DMX gear (for which the XLR plugs have to be soldered), under the supervision of my mate/supervisor who used to be a TV repair man.

He told me to always keep a damp cloth to hand when soldering.
always clean the tip before switching iron on, as already stated emery cloth is good, or i used a normal second cut file, and just gently rubbed end of iron on it.
If you find that you are not getting good flow, and your iron is hot, then wipe the tip onto the damp cloth, and try again.
make sure you dont feed to muck solder into the connection.

As stated, im no expert, but just passing on tips i recieved.

 

[Knobhead]

Clean the tip (cold)
Dip tip in to flux paste (hot)
Tin the tip
Keep the damp cloth to hand

 

[Golden_Boy]

I'm a beginner at soldering and have done a few solders on old circuit boards but half way through de-soldering a jack the solder wouldn't melt. I tried to clean the tip, add some flux and tinning but the solder now seems to run off the tip and won't stick . Thinking the cheap iron I bought wasn't working properly I went and bought another iron but that too won't melt the solder or allow me to tinn it. What am I doing wrong?

Almost all soldering iron bits ( except the very cheap types ) are iron coated. You must NEVER use any abrasive on these bits. Once the iron coating is damaged the copper tarnishes very quickly and will be impossible to tin. A damp sponge is all that is required to keep an iron coated bit in good condition.

Weller thermostatic Irons are very good if a little on the expensive side. ( get a 24 volt / 45 watt )

 

[KINKY]

I find the good old 60/40 solder to be the best

This lead free stuff does not seem to flow as well.

 

[Golden_Boy]

I find the good old 60/40 solder to be the best

This lead free stuff does not seem to flow as well.

Yes I agree...... I still have a 1kg roll from 20 years ago ( 2 lb actually ). It will still be 1/2 full when I pop me clogs

 

[mit74]

bought some tinner/cleaner and is now working. Thanks guys.