Need Help: Soldering
03-30-2004, 03:37 PM
#1
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Need Help: Soldering
I removed a switch on my car, and it disrupted a circuit 
, so I need to solder wires (or maybe a peice of metal) between two little metal sensors. Does anyone here have a solderer, and could possibly help me? I'd appreciate it if so.
Thanks,
Ben
, so I need to solder wires (or maybe a peice of metal) between two little metal sensors. Does anyone here have a solderer, and could possibly help me? I'd appreciate it if so. Thanks,
Ben
03-30-2004, 04:01 PM
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Re: Need Help: Soldering
You can pick up a cheap soldering iron at Wal-Mart or Sears for around $15. Get that, and some rosin core solder and you're all set. It helps if you get some flux paste as well. Flux helps with heat distribution, and it cleans the material you're soldering as it is heated.
The process is simple. Plug the soldering iron in, let it heat up. Touch it to the conductor that you're going to solder, and then touch the tip of the solder to the iron and the conductor. The solder will melt and bond to the conductor (wire, switch contact, whatever...). A good solder joint should look fairly shiny and clean. If it is a dull grey then you have a cold solder joint (which means there is a greater chance of the connection failing). If it has a brownish coating that's just excess flux on the joint. You can clean that off with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. Hope that helps.
The process is simple. Plug the soldering iron in, let it heat up. Touch it to the conductor that you're going to solder, and then touch the tip of the solder to the iron and the conductor. The solder will melt and bond to the conductor (wire, switch contact, whatever...). A good solder joint should look fairly shiny and clean. If it is a dull grey then you have a cold solder joint (which means there is a greater chance of the connection failing). If it has a brownish coating that's just excess flux on the joint. You can clean that off with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. Hope that helps.
03-30-2004, 04:06 PM
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Re: Need Help: Soldering
a 2 year old could solder..seriously. the only thing you might do wrong is make a very dirty (like a bad welder) soldier. or just waste the copper/aluminum
make sure you electrical tape over it
make sure you electrical tape over it
03-30-2004, 05:38 PM
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Re: Need Help: Soldering
Take a picture of what you want done. I might be able to help.
It's actually not that bad until a few minutes after. The soldering iron is normally so hot you don't even feel anything at first. Then the burn hurts like something awful for a few hours 
Originally Posted by SignfcntOthr
And don't touch the tip. OMG.
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03-30-2004, 05:46 PM
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Re: Need Help: Soldering
also, dont melt the solder on the iron and rub it on the wire, it wont take, u have to heat the wire. I got a soldering iron and solder if u want me to do it or show u how. But you gotta come out here to me.
Re: Need Help: Soldering