Soldering Epiphany

[Dogbone]

Another Soldering tip... Use the sponge that comes with the station, or use a small sponge to keep your tip clean. Your tips will thank you, and your Solder will look nice, and not have black nasty looking spots all over
Another nice item to have on hand as well, is this http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7230 Works great for soldering wires together when extending lengths. Works as a heatsink as well to keep the heat from getting into the pickup and pots as well...

[Newc]

Replacement tips that screw in are sold at Radio Shack. The irons that come with the coil-style holder thing generally have screw-in tips.

The hard ones to find are the wire-style for the big gun-type irons.

[Bengal65]

Very true, the better the iron, the better the outcome. I really like the Weller soldering station with the temperature control.

That's the one I have. They are more expensive than your run of the mill iron, but they last forever. My Mom gave me an Unger station (now part of Weller) for my 12th birthday. It lasted 40 years. The only reason I don't use it, is I can't get the style of tips anymore. So, I bought a new one. It will outlast me An excellent investment in tools.

[Spivonious]

Another Soldering tip... Use the sponge that comes with the station, or use a small sponge to keep your tip clean. Your tips will thank you, and your Solder will look nice, and not have black nasty looking spots all over
Another nice item to have on hand as well, is this http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7230 Works great for soldering wires together when extending lengths. Works as a heatsink as well to keep the heat from getting into the pickup and pots as well...

Hey, if I got that then I wouldn't have an excuse to jam with my buddy

[Sharkfin]

I should read up on it and learn a little something about it. I've been doing what you've told me not to be doing.

Just remember one thing, and your soldering will greatly improve:

Heat up what you want to solder and apply the solder to that. Don't try to "paint" the solder on with the iron.

Practice by connecting two wires together. Twist them together, heat the exposed wire, and apply the solder to the wire. The solder will flow right onto the wire and you'll end up with a very solid joint.

edit: oh and if anyone is interested, this is the one I got: link I could have sworn it was under $20, but maybe not. Anyway, money well spent.

[Danno]

I read the other day that modern soldering iron tips really don't need to be tinned anymore, just kept clean via the sponge. True? Most instructions I've seen still suggest tinning, but I'm curious whether this is a step that can just be skipped.

I just started soldering and need to get one of those clamp thingys to hold the work in place.

Solder on, my wayward sons.