My first soldering!

[Elecmox]

Let me show you my first soldering.
This is my first attempt:

This is my second attempt:

Please, be gentle.

 

[Elecmox]

I was practicing today desoldering (with a vacuum pump) and soldering on a PCB, but I have some problems, as you can imagine.
I was trying to desolder some components from a mouse PCB, but I couldn't make solder of component to liquefy in order to remove it with a pump. I have 30 watts soldering iron, and I suspect maybe it doesn't have enough temperature to desolder component.
This is the picture of PCB:
RED CIRCLE - Component (LED diode) that I couldn't desolder.
BLUE CIRCLE - Component (battery connector) that I desoldered, it's the same as in green circle.
GREEN CIRCLE - Component (battey connector) that I soldered, just to show is it good.

 

[telectrix]

sometimes it's easier using a stiff toothbrush to remove the solder when you've melted it with a hot iron. mapply iron, then as the solder melts, brush away from the componemt leg. or try desoldering braid.

 

[Elecmox]

sometimes it's easier using a stiff toothbrush to remove the solder when you've melted it with a hot iron. mapply iron, then as the solder melts, brush away from the componemt leg. or try desoldering braid.

Should I use soldering iron with more then 30 watts?

 

[telectrix]

Should I use soldering iron with more then 30 watts?

depends on what you are working on. 30watt iron will cope with small components. some componebts and/or the pcb tracks will draw more heat from the iron , esp where heat sinks are involved.also, if you are using pliers to pull things out, the pliers themselves will draw heat and reduce the temp. of the joint.I use a 100watt weller gun for the larger work. but care needs to be taken not to overheat the joint and damage pcb tracks.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Should I use soldering iron with more then 30 watts?

Buy yourself a soldering station and vary the heat to suit the size of the material being joined.

 

[telectrix]

but not the one LIdl's sell.-pakside, they are crap.

 

[Elecmox]

Buy yourself a soldering station and vary the heat to suit the size of the material being joined.

Maybe later, as I am novice I am still practicing.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Practicing with an inadequate tool can be quite frustrating, just ask my girlfriend.

 

[pc1966]

Sadly they cost more money, but what you really want is an iron that is temperature controlled, so it can be 50W or more but maintains the tip temperature at the correct value for soldering with less risk of damaging the PCB, components, etc.

For many, many years I have used the Weller 'Magnastat' type where you change the tip for both size and temperature setting, but these days you get adjustable ones for less cost. This sort of idea:

RS PRO AT-937 Soldering Station, 230V, +200°C to +480°C | RS

uk.rs-online.com

But you probably can find others for similar or cheaper prices.

 

[telectrix]

and it is also worthwhile to note that a pair of narrow nosed pliers can be used as a heat sink to prevent damage to components when soldering/de-soldering.

 

[DPG]

Also, it sometimes makes things easier if you add a bit of fresh solder after you have removed as much as you can of the old stuff. Don't try to suck up too much in one go with the desolder pump, then you won't keep blocking it.

 

[Elecmox]

I plan to buy temperature controlled soldering iron in future, but for now I don't need it, current one is sufficient, it does ok job.
I will buy desoldering wick to see if it's better for smaller joints, I just couldn't desolder them with pump.

 

[DPG]

I plan to buy temperature controlled soldering iron in future, but for now I don't need it, current one is sufficient, it does ok job.
I will buy desoldering wick to see if it's better for smaller joints, I just couldn't desolder them with pump.

Solder wick is very useful. Beginners can sometimes pull PCs tracks off though so be careful.
[automerge]1593359129[/automerge]
Should have said PCBs but too late to edit it.

 

[StephenRowley]

View: https://youtu.be/O-ymw7d_nYo


How to soldier to nasa standards

 

[telectrix]

soldier???? (3 sodding words).: