Soldering 101?

[garyb]

Seems like something like this would be helpful. There is good information out there to be had, but it is all over the map. Here is a link from the current premierguitar magazine that has additional links in it that look pretty good.
www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Feb/So_You_Want_to_Solder.aspx

This thread could also discuss some of the specifics to guitars, like how to be successful soldering to the back of pots without distroying them (of course as guitar nuts we always use a star grounding scheme anyway right ). I have found the third hand devices to be invaluable and I also use a bunch of hemostats to help hold things but also has heat sinks to avoid putting too much heat into switches, capacitors, etc. That trick comes from Dan Erlewine from StewMac fame.

I think much of it is a practice thing, but the right tools do make a big difference. Getting the right wattage and right tip is a huge step in the right direction. Keeping the tip clean and tinned is the next big step toward good work. My final tip is to stage the whole thing out before rather than during the soldering. You can then check it all out without a hot iron smoldering away. I think it is much less painful to just worry about soldering the joints rather than stripping and fitting all the wires and soldering the joints.

I am sure there are many other good suggestions out there to be shared.
Thanks,
GB

[sumgai]

gary,

First, welcome to the NutzHouse! ;D

Your suggestion is good, it merits discussion.

For the most part, we deal with the more ethereal portions of how to make things work. Soldering is, as you've noted, a very hands-on skill set, and all one can glean from a web page is a rough idea of how it's done. That said, your link is quite good in itself, and the subsequent links found therein are just about all anyone could ask for, when it comes to learning some of the finer points. (You know, beyond the usual "always have some Aloe Vera and Vaseline nearby. After you've had to use them a few times, you can put them back in the medicine cabinet. ")

What's really needed is a video - preferably, one that uses two or more camera angles. (A split-screen view would make some things so much more clear to the average FNG.) You come up with one of those, and you'll earn extra atiboy points, I guarantee it. ;D

Anyone else wanna chime in here?



sumgai

[newey]

Well, apart from going to a website or watching a video to get the basics down, Gary is suggesting a thread of those helpful tips we all discover from time to time. Those are things you're not likely to find elsewhere, and specific to guitar wiring.

I think it would be a useful thread- I've mostly learned soldering by (lots of) trial and (plenty o') error. Tricks of the trade, so to speak, could be helpful.

[clr]

Youtube is your friend:)




Just youtube (Search) the word "Solder"

[jkemmery]

I've found the best thing for soldering is to practice.

Wire up a JohnH ToneMonster2,

(Which I did by the way, an HSS with additional coil tapping and phase switching - awesome. I sold that guitar on EBay)

That'll give you some practice