Soldering

  • Sparkfun tutorial:  How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering
    • Set your iron at a good medium heat (325-375 degrees C)
    • If you see smoke coming from your solder, turn down the heat
    • Tin your tip with solder before each connection to help prep the joint
    • Use the side of the tip (aka the sweet spot), not the very tip of the iron
    • Heat both the pad and the part you want to solder evenly and at the same time
    • Pull the solder away, then the iron
    • A good solder joint should look like a volcano or Hersey kiss, not a ball or clump
  • Hand Soldering Tip Temperatures
    “One of the biggest issues associated with high temperature hand soldering has more to do with the flux than the solder alloy. Most solder fluxes, regardless of form (liquid, tacky, or flux core) are designed to withstand temperatures up to 350°C. Above these temperatures, they begin to decompose and blacken.
    Solder alloy oxidation is also an issue associated with high temperature hand soldering. As a solder is exposed to high temperatures, the rate it oxidizes increases. Fluxes aid to remove surface oxides, but at high soldering temperatures, fluxes are quickly exhausted.
    For optimal solder results, keep the solder iron tip temperature low.“
  • Hako FX-888D manual if you want to know how to change the temperature, etc.