hondro1025
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
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Post by hondro1025 on May 16, 2006 2:06:56 GMT -5
First off... I just bought a new soldering iron. Out of the package, I fired it up...it tinned nice at first, but then the tip began to look bland. Now my solder connections are getting sloppy. I use the wet sponge and wipe it often. I took a file and resurfaced the tip. Now the tip is corroding quickly. I've been tinning it and then wiping the solder of on the sponge. That gives me a tinned tip to work with. Am I doing it right?
Next question...I bought a strat wiring kit from stewmac. The wire was 22awg .050 diameter. I went to order the spools but all they have is 100ft spools for $25. Anyone know of a good supplier that I can get that wire from. Stewmac can be pricey. If the wire comes tinned, even better... stewmac's does. I need a black spool and a white spool. Thanks for the advice... Alex
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Post by sumgai on May 16, 2006 5:40:44 GMT -5
Alex, Error! Error! Never file a soldering iron tip. That was a useful, and non-destructive, thing to do in the days of solding guns, but not for irons. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but it's time to shop for a new tip. The rest of what you said is right on target, though. That's a bit tougher to answer. Many places abound in Mail Order World, but the shipping for just a couple of spools of wire will kill your wallet. You need either Radio Shabby or some other like-minded store. Perhaps an auto parts dealer, sometimes they have spools of smaller gauge wire for audio installations. I know Home Depot and others carry small gauge wire for doorbells, etc. That's usually 22 or 24 gauge, which would also work in a guitar. Pre-tinned is not what it's all cracked up to be. The only thing necessary for a good connection is what ux posted in another thread, and that is that you must have a good mechanical connection. After that, even a low-wattage (low heat) iron will make a good connection every time. A poor mechanical connection will require more heat, and that's a sure sign of impending failure. But as usual, ymmv! HTH sumgai Edit - corrected rare spelling error. /edit
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