Wires wont stick to back of volume pot...

[guitaristz]

Im trying to solder the three ground wires from the pickups to the back of the volume pot. I dont have time for the other grounding method so yeah im doing it this way

Anyway, Im having a hard time soldering the grounds to the back of the pot. I think I remember reading you could just use some fine grit sandpaper to rough up the back of the pot, and I will probably try that. However, what else can I do for it to stick easier? Would using that acid flux paste stuff help? thanks...

[warmstrat]

Cover the 3 wires with blobs of solder so that they are all stuck to each other and covered with solder, then push this little lump onto the pot case quite hard with the soldering iron. The solder all over the lump of wire should melt and stick to the pot. It worked for me, but i pushed quite hard and waited quite a while. I believe, however, that ther is some risk of damaging your pot if it gets too hot. Be careful...

[UnklMickey]

A coarse or medium grit sandpaper or emery cloth would be better. The object is to remove any oxide from the surface of the metal, and leave some "tooth". You can uses some extra flux if you wish, but don't use acid flux. Use rosin flux. Use a very hot iron, if you have one. This will get the back of the pot hot enough for the solder to melt before you heat up the works inside. Make a puddle of solder on the back of the pot. "Tin" the ends of the wires by heating them and allowing solder to coat them. Then place the ends of the wires on the "bump of solder you had created on the back of the pot. Press down on the wire ends with the soldering iron while applying a small amount of fresh solder. The fresh solder will help conduct the heat into the wire ends and the solder bump. As soon as the solder becomes molten, remove the iron, without moving the wires. Hold them still for several seconds until the solder has cooled. If you allow them to move too soon, the solder will crystallize. The resistance will be high and the joint will be weak.

Good luck,
Unk

[reeced]

I would just add to what UnklMickey says - you need at least a 30W iron. Anything less and you'll need to hold the iron on the back of the pot for so long that you will damage the internals.

[JohnH]

I'd second that 30W, 'cos I have a 25W iron and its not quite enough. I can just about make it work with an old pot that has been tinned before, but its hard to get a good joint.

The fall-back, if it is not working, is to solder a bare wire to a washer, put that under the pot shaft and connect the free end to the grounded lug of the pot. Then you can connect your other grounds along that bare wire, with no risk to the pot.

John