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Soldering newbie

post #1 of 3
9/18/09 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
So I started attempting to learn to solder a couple of nights ago...and I was doing it wrong messed up a few connectors for my phone and few cables(all of them) and 2 3.5mm jacks lol. (alot of cold joints i think its called)
But yeh...my question pretty much is...what tools do you DIYers find essential when making interconnects and reterminating stuff? (include anything you with touch that helps)
At the moment i've got butane soldering iron(read somewhere buy something decent so it lasts longer...so i did), 60/40 rosin core solder, third hand thingy, heatshrink...and thats bout it.
And any tips?
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post #2 of 3
9/20/09 at 6:55pm
Your only problem is the solder. Eutectic solder goes from liquid to solid without any other phase changes, and thus greatly reduces cold joints. You have regular solder, which needs to be absolutely still when it <s>dries</s> transitions (wow...as a physicist I am ashamed that I said solder would "dry"), and even then is prone to other thermodynamic annoyances based on the other things that may compromise the joint. Thus, I use Cardas Quad Eutectic.

Note that I, too, am mew to this, and am using the Cardas on recommendations that it flows a lot smoother than other eutectic solders. That is opinion. The Eutectic thing is fact, so regardless of what you get, make sure it is eutectic.

-Nkk
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post #3 of 3
9/21/09 at 1:17am
Thanks for the info. Good to know as someone who is heading into the DIY department.
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