1. How to Solder
Soldering must be learned from practice, it cannot be learned through bookwork
Key factors affecting solder quality:
Cleanliness
Temperature
Time
Coverage

2. Cleanliness The iron tip must be clean It won’t solder dirty parts
Old components and copper boards are hard to solder
It repels the molten solder
DIRT is the enemy!

3. Soldering Rules 1. KEEP THE SOLDERING TIP CLEAN!!!
Immediately before you use it, wipe it clean.
After use, place it in the holder – the solder from the solderingoperation should keep the tip tinned.

4. Soldering Rules
Make sure that the objects being soldered are clean. The cleaner they are the easier they will be to cut and the less chance there is that they will become damaged.

5. Keep parts clean! Oxidation! Dirty!
You can use a small handheld file to reveal the fresh metal underneath.

6. Keep Things Clean
When Soldering a dirty surface people sometimes use to much heat.
This does more harm then good.
It is not possible to burn the contaminates away.
Could harm the semiconductors.

7. Temperature Temperature
Try to keep a constant temperature among all parts because…
If all parts are same temperature solder applies easier
Remember: Touch iron tip to all parts before applying solder
Melting point of solder: 188° C
Melting point of iron tip: 330° C
Try to keep a constant temperature among all parts
If all parts are same temperature solder applies easier
Touch iron tip to all parts before applying solder
Melting point of solder: 188° C
Melting point of iron tip: 330° C

8. Coverage
A successful solder joint is a few millimeters for the average joint
To much solder can short circuit with other joints
To little solder and the component won’t be supported enough

9. Minimal solder!! How much solder? DO NOT
cover the connection with a ball of solder
Use just enough solder to “fill” the area between the elements
Quality Connection
Smooth, Shiny
Poor Connection
Dull, Blobby
Clean the iron on a damp sponge before use

10. A Guide to Good Soldering
Step 3
Make sure it is stable.
There should be no way of jarring or movement between the soldered elements.

11. Soldering
- After turning on, allow the solder to warm and then apply to the other side of the junction
- DO NOT TOUCH THE SOLDER TO THE IRON
- It will melt immediately and when finished allow it to cool off.

12. 5. Hold the component in place and apply heat to the junction with the shiny tip of the iron.

13. Examine the joint, it should appear clean and shiny - not dull or pitted.

14. Solder on a Fire Resistant Surface
Protects the building from going up in flames (always a good thing)
Examples:
Dry wall
Homasote
(Wallboard of compressed recycled paper)
Soldering mats
(Rubber)
Wesley Lok

15. Long Hair and Baggy Clothing
All long hair and clothing must be tied back because it could catch on fire if it comes in contact with the soldering iron.
If this happens, you could attain serious personal injuries.

16. DO NOT overload a wall outlet with too many electrical appliances

17. ~Never Leave your Soldering Iron Unattended or Plugged In~
You should never leave your soldering iron plugged in, because someone could walk by and burn themselves.
Also, if you leave your soldering iron alone, it could burn the school down.

18. Hot Iron
NEVER set your hot iron down on anything OTHER THAN an iron stand.
This is an actual soldering iron burn

19. Wear Eye Protection!
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris, tools, and any dangerous materials
Eye protection is a key to safety

20. Ground Your Soldering Iron
Make sure you properly ground your soldering iron or you could short out the circuit. This can cause of fire or serious injury.

21. Never solder a live circuit, be sure all power is disconnected

22. TEH SOLDERING IRON IS HOT
To prevent burning your fingers, use needle nose pliers or heat gloves to hold small parts
Don’t touch the end; most solders melting point is 370F, the tip is around 626F – 662F
In simple terms, DON’T TOUCH THE TIP YA MORON!