Soldering advice!

dchwhite

I'm trying to rewire an old squier telecaster, using a brand new weller 40 watt iron. I tried to tin the tip - the solder just balls and rolls off. I'm obviously doing something stupid - I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me what

10thumbs

I`m no expert but I think a 15watt iron would suffice , that's what I use , maybe its too hot ?

randomhandclaps

Have you got a damp sponge?  The main reason solders balls up a rolls off is due to oxidisation on the tip.  Is the tip shiny or dull?

Paul_C

when my sponge crumbled I started using damp kitchen towel, which works almost as well

10thumbs

I have no sponge , would a Jaffa cake do  ?

Like I say I`m no expert. :P

randomhandclaps

10thumbs said:

I have no sponge , would a Jaffa cake do  ?

Like I say I`m no expert. :P

That's sheer idiocy... who would waste a Jaffa cake?!

dchwhite

randomhandclaps said:

Have you got a damp sponge?  The main reason solders balls up a rolls off is due to oxidisation on the tip.  Is the tip shiny or dull?

It was shiny when I started (as you'd expect for a new iron) but it didn't tin at all - the solder balled and ran off immediately. The tip does look pretty mucky now, yes (managed to disconnect the old wiring with it, but trying to put the new parts in didn't seem to work too well).

Nomad

Try something like this...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tip-tinnercleaner-jg06g

You just poke the tip into the gunk, and it comes out clean and shiny.

Adam_MD

I'd let it cool and use some light sandpaper to remove the oxidisation reheat and then tin the tip.

MattFGBI

+1 sandpaper. Roughing it up helps. Sometimes I have to rough up pots too.

I blame modern lead free solder.

dchwhite

Thanks all. I'll get a stand with a built-in sponge tomorrow, give the tip a good clean & try again. If that doesn't work, I'll have a go with the tip tinner. Matt, I'd love to blame lead free solder (or anything apart from my own incompetence really...) but I'm using 60/40 with a flux core, which I thought is fairly halfwit-proof.

dchwhite

Adam_MD said:

I'd let it cool and use some light sandpaper to remove the oxidisation reheat and then tin the tip.

When you say 'light' - what sort of grit would you suggest, please? Is 400 about right?

Adam_MD

dchwhite;795708" said:

Adam_MD said:

I'd let it cool and use some light sandpaper to remove the oxidisation reheat and then tin the tip.







When you say 'light' - what sort of grit would you suggest, please? Is 400 about right?

Genuinely whatever I had lying around you really just want to remove the oxidisation so you can tin it. Then put a dab of solder on it everytime you finish and it'll keep your tip shiny and stop it oxidising.

p90fool

Just reach for whatever is handy that you can scrape the tip's face with - Stanley knife, sidecutters, whatever.

Don't overthink it or start buying shit, you just need clean metal.

dchwhite

Lol @p90fool I'm a lot better at buying stuff than doing stuff Will give it a go tmrw as now I have to work late, but thank you.

EDIT moved to modding section, where I should have placed it to start with...

jpfamps

10thumbs said:

I`m no expert but I think a 15watt iron would suffice , that's what I use , maybe its too hot ?

A more powerful iron doesn't necessarily get any hotter (although it can do). The temperature of the iron is (usually) set by some form of thermostat.

It does deliver heat to the work quicker, which in many circumstances reduces the chance of damaging components as the iron is in contact with the work for less time.

For soldering to pots I would not recommend using an iron less than 25W as a bare minimum using leaded solder, and a temperature controlled 45W iron with lead free.

10thumbs

jpfamps said:

10thumbs said:

I`m no expert but I think a 15watt iron would suffice , that's what I use , maybe its too hot ?

A more powerful iron doesn't necessarily get any hotter (although it can do). The temperature of the iron is (usually) set by some form of thermostat.

It does deliver heat to the work quicker, which in many circumstances reduces the chance of damaging components as the iron is in contact with the work for less time.

For soldering to pots I would not recommend using an iron less than 25W as a bare minimum using leaded solder, and a temperature controlled 45W iron with lead free.

Well I just learned something , told you I`m not an expert.

10thumbs

randomhandclaps said:

10thumbs said:

I have no sponge , would a Jaffa cake do  ?

Like I say I`m no expert. :P

That's sheer idiocy... who would waste a Jaffa cake?!

BTW - I`d just like to take ths opportunity to scotch a scurrilous rumour ,being spread around by randomhandclaps , 

that I`d waste a Jaffa Cake .....

... of course I`d still eat the blighter , I`m daft not stupid.

I`d spit out the little blobs of solder though , they could scratch on the way out.

ecc83

I would advise against any form of abrasive if you cut through the iron plating the tip is buggered. The "poke in" tip cleaner is the best bet.

Fine steel wool VERY carefully used will work but these days quality irons are supplied with a brass wool cleaner. Damp sponges crack the plating due to thermal shock this is especially so at Pbfree temperatures.

DRY kitchen paper is ok. Once clean make sure to tin the tip very well before you turn the iron off.

Dave.

dchwhite

Thanks very much to everyone for all the advice. It's been a pig of a week at work, so I haven't had chance to have another go until today. Tried the sponge, and then the dish scourer side of the sponge (I probably should buy a proper stand and sponge really) but still the solder balled and ran off. I admitted defeat and swapped the tip for a pretinned tip that was supplied with the iron - and we're in business Some VERY out of practice soldering later (think it's been over a year since I last did some) & whilst it's crackly, we do have noise from the guitar into an amp

I will keep at it until the crackles go - but thank you all, very grateful Still uncertain how I messed up the brand new tip of a brand new weller iron just by applying solder, but at least there is progress!

MtB

If you can find any - Bakers Soldering Fluid.