How to Solder Perfectly!
by Vimal Chintapatla in Circuits > Soldering
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How to Solder Perfectly!
![How to Solder Perfectly (HD)](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FT0/R80Y/ICICTX3F/FT0R80YICICTX3F.jpg&filename=How to Solder Perfectly (HD))
Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal like lead solder into the joint.
Soldering is very simple.
Just Follow the instructions given below and Watch The Video to get Perfect Soldering Results!
What You'll Need
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![vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h40m40s426.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHR/P8MC/ICHHQQY5/FHRP8MCICHHQQY5.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h40m40s426.png)
![vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h40m51s991.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2D/7MXT/ICHHQQY7/F2D7MXTICHHQQY7.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h40m51s991.png)
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- A 20-40 Watt Soldering iron or a Mini Soldering Station
- A 60/40 Solder Lead (22 gauge preferable)
- Soldering Flux
- Wet Sponge
- Heat Shrinkable Sleeves
- Few Clips to hold the Wire you want to Solder
If you are soldering components on a PCB then you'll also need a Pitch Bending Tool to bend the components that have to be placed on the PCB.
Tinning
![vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h41m08s787.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCE/OKLJ/ICHHQRG6/FCEOKLJICHHQRG6.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-24-17h41m08s787.png)
Before Soldering you should always Tin the tip of your Solder bit.
Tinning Prevents Oxidation of Metal.
Soldering Wires
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h01m14s036.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FSF/PYW5/ICICTXFL/FSFPYW5ICICTXFL.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h01m14s036.png)
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A Quick tip for soldering wires:
Instead of directly soldering the wires,twist the wires together to get a good grip on it and use something to hold the wires. Like you can use Crocodile Clips or any Plastic clips available at home.
Now put the Soldering iron on the wire and let it heat.
Now apply the solder lead uniformly on the joint.
After Soldering the joint,use a heat shrinkable sleeve to cover it up.
Soldering on PCB's
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h06m03s943.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBH/B18A/ICICTXFZ/FBHB18AICICTXFZ.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h06m03s943.png)
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h06m47s099.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJ8/SP1L/ICICTXG0/FJ8SP1LICICTXG0.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h06m47s099.png)
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h07m02s048.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8F/P2K1/ICICTXG1/F8FP2K1ICICTXG1.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h07m02s048.png)
Soldering on PCB's is really simple.
Before placing the components on the PCB use a Pitch Bending tool to perfectly bend the components as per your board requirements.
After Soldering the Components,use a Nipper(Cutter) to cut the component leads.
Cleaning the Flux
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h07m27s847.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F1X/QRV0/ICICTXG2/F1XQRV0ICICTXG2.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h07m27s847.png)
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Every Solder Lead has Flux at its Core.
To remove that flux which spreads on your board after soldering use a cleaning agent like Iso Propanol.
Soldering Tips!
![vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h08m32s426.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FQD/NDSJ/ICICTXG7/FQDNDSJICICTXG7.png&filename=vlcsnap-2015-07-25-09h08m32s426.png)
- A Good Solder always indicates a Shiny Surface.
- Don't Blow air to cool the soldered joint,let it cool naturally(Blowing air reduces solder strength).
- Don't put the solder bit on the components for too long time,it may damage it.
That's it, Happy Soldering!! :)