soldering help!

speedboy · 14th November 2008, 03:14 PM

I have recently started soldering. I can make joints and desolder ok. I use a Antex variable temp soldering iron and some standard lead free solder from Maplin. I can make my joints ok but find as the temp cools and they solidify they end up looking rather duller than the original joints on the circuit board I am trying to repair. I do wipe the iron tip with a sponge and then attempt to tin the tip prior to making the joint. I have also tried some different temp settings but it doesn't seem to help. The solder looks exactly the right colour when it is molton but when it cools the joint looks dull instead of nice and shiney.

Can somebody help please?

AndrewT · 14th November 2008, 03:20 PM

buy conventional lead/tin solder use the eutectic 63/37.

speedboy · 14th November 2008, 03:32 PM

Thanks, I shall certainly have to try that. I suspected it might be the solder but did not know what type to buy.

justblair · 14th November 2008, 04:04 PM

Lead free solder produces a duller finish than the products it replaces, but this is not an issue. More importantly, check that the solder joint is the right shape once done and that the traces to be soldered to are cean before soldering.

Other than that dont worry.

I do notice that the the solder with silver in it is not quite do dull after soldering.

14th November 2008, 03:14 PM	#1
speedboy diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	soldering help! I have recently started soldering. I can make joints and desolder ok. I use a Antex variable temp soldering iron and some standard lead free solder from Maplin. I can make my joints ok but find as the temp cools and they solidify they end up looking rather duller than the original joints on the circuit board I am trying to repair. I do wipe the iron tip with a sponge and then attempt to tin the tip prior to making the joint. I have also tried some different temp settings but it doesn't seem to help. The solder looks exactly the right colour when it is molton but when it cools the joint looks dull instead of nice and shiney. Can somebody help please?

14th November 2008, 03:20 PM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	buy conventional lead/tin solder use the eutectic 63/37. __________________ regards Andrew T.

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14th November 2008, 03:32 PM	#3
speedboy diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	Thanks, I shall certainly have to try that. I suspected it might be the solder but did not know what type to buy.

14th November 2008, 04:04 PM	#4
justblair diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland	Lead free solder produces a duller finish than the products it replaces, but this is not an issue. More importantly, check that the solder joint is the right shape once done and that the traces to be soldered to are cean before soldering. Other than that dont worry. I do notice that the the solder with silver in it is not quite do dull after soldering.

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