Soldering set up for beginner

  • Thread starter Thread starter neuroop
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neuroop

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I have wanted to learn how to solder for small issues for a while. I would like to be able to fix small wiring problems or switch out pickups and things on that scale.

Seen several youtube videos and read the thread in the tech section here with the attached videos.

Researched the options on stew mac. Their beginner set looks pretty limited. The pro model set up is probably overkill but affordable for me.

Suggestions on what I should buy and tips on how to start practicing before working on a guitar or cabinet?
 
Pushead":26p8qs58 said:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weller-5-Watt-to-40-Watt-Soldering-Station-WLC100/100130478

I use a small vice to hold connectors and wires (when I'm working outside of a guitar, anyway). Other than that, some heat shrink tubing and an electronic solder (I like thinner gauges) and you're off to the races.
Click to expand...


This is similar to what I have. It's a low end iron, but for soldering pickups and guitar parts, works great. You will also want to pick up a nice pair of wire strippers, wire cutters, and some needle nose pliers.
 
I use cheap soldering iron, rosin core solder and have soldered from pickups to amps point to point.

I also use kitchen metalized sponge (for cleaning dishes) to remove oxidized solder from the soldering iron tip.

so, the process for me:

1. let the iron heat up properly
2. clean the iron with the sponge, apply some solder, clean again till it is nice and shiny.
3. when i am about to solder, apply small amount on tip and pass gently on the sponge, so that the layer is thin but still enough there (this is for better heat transfer) and if you wait too long you have to clean again because it starts oxidizing.
4. press with soldering iron on metal near the connection you want to solder and feed the solder to the heated metal connection not the iron tip (the rosin in solder cleans the metal and makes proper connection)
If you are connecting wire to something, you have to tin the wire. (twist the strands of metal, heat up the metal and apply solder to wire, and when you heat up properly it should just suck up the solder )
5. after each connection clean the iron again and repeat.
6. I also use desolder wire if i screw the connection.

Connections are supposed to be shiny and not murky, ex. if you heat the connection a few times it besomes murky and doesn't hold properly

There is a whole series on youtube that goes technical and explains in a scientific way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIT4ra6Mo0s

You just have to start, but for practice, try two wires together, wire to some old potenciometer, or vero board, do the connections a few times, see how long it takes to heat up, how much solder do you have to feed, is the connection shiny...
 
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