How to solder properly, even with poor tools

[@rupertrussell1]

Nice work. Paradoxically keeping your tip hot ends up heating the electronics less than using a tip that is too cool. I cool tip that is not hot enough requires excessive contact time to hear the pins. This heats up the circuit more than a quick contact with a nice hot tip. Excessive heat is destructive to many components. With soldering cleanliness is next to godliness. Tanks for the excellent demonstration.

[@CuriousScientist]

Thank you! Yes, excellent remarks regarding the contact time and excess heating. Definitely, a preheated pin with a good thermal connection to the pin or component leg is better because it takes less time to perform the soldering.

[@jdmjesus6103]

The same is true for tig welding, smaller heat affected zone

[@HandsomeHybrid]

​@CuriousScientist which solder irons do you recommend for a hobbyist or DIYer?

[@CuriousScientist]

It's not like I don't have a website where I list and/or promote all parts and equipment I have been using for years, but for example, TS100 or any of its successor are a great choice. :)

[@winoo7963]

So, It's like searing meat with a hot pan.

[@Matthew.Morycinski]

I read a very good chapter in an electronics book for hobbyists. It was 45 years ago but the knowledge held up all these years. Basically, you want the soldering iron tip to be as cool as possible consistent with being able to melt the solder on the joint, given the size of iron and the job. It was more difficult back then with no temperature-controlled irons available. If the iron is too hot, oxidation of the solder prevents wetting. The first symptom is what you see in this video: a mottled appearance of the finished joint. That means the temperature is already a bit too high. The next symptom is when solder rolls into a ball and doesn't stick to the iron. The worst is when you start seeing blue discoloration; that's way too hot.

[@CuriousScientist]

Fantastic remarks, thank you for sharing the knowledge! Yes, this soldering iron came without any regulation whatsoever, and it is probably not the best quality from the get go either. So, it already shows signs of wear and tear. But that's why I picked it for this demo to show that even with this poor tool we can solder reasonably well. Today, we are very spoiled with these nice temperature-regulated irons.

[@Matthew.Morycinski]

@@CuriousScientist An easy expedient is to connect a traditional iron through a light dimmer.

[@CuriousScientist]

That's actually a genius idea! Dimming the iron, sound fun and smart.

[@Xenotester]

@@Matthew.Morycinski dimmer allow regulatw wattage, but not allow to control temps. By the way now you can buy cartridge soldering iron for cheap. I have handy analog sh72, but now there a lot of newer models with digital control, oled and t12 or c245/c210 compatibility

[@DeadCat-42]

Cheap solder can make you think you suck at soldering..

[@CuriousScientist]

That is also true!!! I have a roll of cheap solder and the results are absolutely horrendous.

[@Yash-Gaikwad]

So true.

[@faisaldmdmalupco]

💯 agreed.

[@TheDigi321]

wait I might not be bad at soldering?

[@A3142]

great video about soldering, everything under 1 minute, straightforward and easy to understand. I just subscribed and like

[@CuriousScientist]

Thank you! It was not easy to squeeze everything into a 1-minute clip, but somehow, I managed. 😅

[@bhxlegend]

Been soldering from last 7 years now and man I want to solder for last few years of my life lol it's so satisfying

[@CuriousScientist]

It's like a meditation.

[@bhxlegend]

@@CuriousScientist Exactly 💯

[@Berkov1]

Sure, most important is to use flux! To get fresk solder without oxide.

[@CuriousScientist]

Yes, flux is one of the key elements. But heating the proper parts for the right amount of times is also important. Flux won't help cold joints.

[@yadharshravichandran]

the cleanest soldering work i have ever seen

[@CuriousScientist]

Thanks!

[@rajivbhuarya1351]

Woah its on professional level

[@CuriousScientist]

Thanks!

[@pointofinterest5981]

Awesome! Please keep up bringing such videos, so that we beginners can also learn to solder and also not commit such stupid things that experienced guys like you won't do.

[@CuriousScientist]

Thank you! Keep sharing the video if you find it useful. It helps the channel growing and it allows me to publish similar content in the future!

[@thefanboy3285]

Subscrived immediately. Your tutorials might come in handy in the future. 👌

[@CuriousScientist]

Thanks! More tutorials will come, both in short and long format. Stay tuned!

[@monke_braah]

And that is the basics of solder

[@CuriousScientist]

Yet, many are not aware of it.

[@Hellraiser988]

Honestly flux is the best friend in this work I wouldn't rely on just the flux in the solder also i run my iron at 365°C - 385°C for soldering and 405°C for desoldering

[@Hellraiser988]

One more thing the tip you use is very very important the wrong size tip can make and easy job a botch job

[@CuriousScientist]

Tip size is also important from a thermal mass perspective. A too small one might not be able to deal with the components. For me, flux from the solder seems to be enough, but if desolder or re-solder something, I definitely need flux.

[@LiquidMetalLab]

Needed this attempting my first soldering in 10 years tonight 😂

[@CuriousScientist]

Good luck!

[@arch01gaming99]

Thx for the advice

[@CuriousScientist]

It's my pleasure!

[@thewanderingguy5436]

Begginers tips : The first thing you want when you jump into project that involved electronic stuff, YOU SHOULD LEARN HOW TO AND WHY TO SOLDER. You can buy perf board for learning how to soldering an THT package

[@CuriousScientist]

Yes, soldering is definitely an essential skill when one wants to work with electronics.

[@intensevolcom2036]

Thanks bro appreciate the tip

[@thewanderingguy5436]

​@@intensevolcom2036 no problem my friends

[@KokoroKatsura]

kitlerious nyaa

[@thewanderingguy5436]

​@@KokoroKatsuranya :3

[@neuro1996]

For me its the desoldering process that is more difficult and i can't seem to make it work

[@CuriousScientist]

That's more tricky, yes. For thru‐hole components, it is just a good idea to use a desoldering suction tool. For SMD, flux, and hot air.

[@Xenotester]

Lead free solder ? Heresy !

[@CuriousScientist]

Sorry, that's what budget allows. 😅

[@akonako364]

You pointout my greatest mistake of soldering. lol

[@CuriousScientist]

Now you know how to fix it.

[@kizmoko1739]

I need to learn this.

[@CuriousScientist]

Yes, it's an essential skill.

[@jozsiolah1435]

It behaves like an animal when connected to power, and you are forced to solder the compnent. Similar to a little T1000 terminator. It tries to screw up the soldering.

[@CuriousScientist]

I would avoid soldering a powered device. It could cause wild short circuits.

[@SolomonLegends]

Someone finally corrected me, am like why tf is this so hard

[@CuriousScientist]

I hope it helps! Cheers!

[@giyoharto1307]

Can u tell me name of the thing that u use to clean up the tin? Is that copper?

[@CuriousScientist]

It's copper. Search for "copper wick". 😎

[@x0vg5hs1]

I prefer to never use constant temp solder pen. Pistol solder iron is much better.

[@CuriousScientist]

Whichever serves the purpose better for you! I was more focused on the technique in the clip, and I wanted to show that even a cheap iron does the work if it is used well. Cheers!

[@eliaperli2485]

What kind of thermometer did you use?

[@CuriousScientist]

See the description...

[@eliaperli2485]

@@CuriousScientist I'm sorry! I didn't notice. And thanks

[@CuriousScientist]

No worries! Cheers!

[@MissingNo0001]

hmm, i assume ill be forced to plug and unplug the soldering iron if it's too hot, isn't it?

[@CuriousScientist]

It should be self-regulating to a certain extent, but if it is still too hot, then yes. But I would recommend buying a proper soldering iron if yours is acting like that.

[@paulpease1788]

I'll never be that good

[@CuriousScientist]

It's just a matter of patience and practice. Don't give up!

[@tbounds4812]

it's incredibly easy to get sufficient solder joints i don't use flux or wick my joints aren't pretty like this guys but ive been building drones for 4 years now and never had an issue with my connections whatsoever

[@CuriousScientist]

You might unknowingly use flux because most of the solder has flux in them. Most of the solders are so-called "flux core solders". They have a small channel in the center that has rosin in it. So the solder "applies its own flux" during soldering.

[@GalaxyYT.]

My soldering iron has a sponge and the sponge doesn't clean the tip well, what can i do?

[@CuriousScientist]

I hope you wet the sponge. Otherwise, get a brass sponge.

[@GalaxyYT.]

@@CuriousScientist I do wet the sponge, I'm gonna mod something soon, so I don't have a month to wait for a brass sponge. (I have a lot of soldering experience, but not the best best)

[@GalaxyYT.]

@@CuriousScientist Am I doing it incorrectly? I wet the sponge and brush my soldering tip over it, but it still doesn't work.

[@CuriousScientist]

Maybe your tip is damaged. You might need to re-tin it. Hard to say anything without seeing its condition.

[@GalaxyYT.]

@@CuriousScientist It was a brand new 50 euro soldering iron.

[@antivenomgaming841]

Name of that temp measuring device??

[@CuriousScientist]

Read the description...

[@lastafandemenreaospapageorgiou]

Don't wear surgical gloves while soldering, then you can use your fingers to clean the tip. After 50 years this gives you a bit of callus, but works perfectly, much better than a cleaning sponge.

[@CuriousScientist]

You're talking nonsense. Brass sponge and re-tinning from time to time.

[@lastafandemenreaospapageorgiou]

@@CuriousScientist Sorry to say, no nonsense. Just try it :-)

[@mohammadthamyizna8036]

hold on, the moment he show brass sponge and solder wick, thats not even a poor tools, i thought soldering just need solder and soldering iron?and i only use flux to greatly enchance my soldering joint

[@CuriousScientist]

Both of those things are cheap. The sponge is a "must" to keep your iron clean, and the wick is a very useful thing when you need to correct your soldering. The "poor" is mainly describing the soldering iron. I used a very old and super cheap iron in this demo. It's like, you don't really need to wash your car, but if you want to use it longer, you should do it.

[@NamasenITN]

Speeding up the video does not help to represent the smooth and efficient procedure you originally wanted to illustrate.

[@CuriousScientist]

Well, somehow, I had to squeeze all this info in a 1-minute short...

[@_helloworld_7070]

In normal soldering could i also just do that?

[@CuriousScientist]

Do what?

[@adamagueropadilla2220]

thx

[@CuriousScientist]

You're welcome!

[@meetim6271]

I struggle to tin my tip and keep it tinned. the wet sponge and steel wool do nothing, the only thing I find that works is sandpaper, and applying solder asap afterwards.

[@CuriousScientist]

The tip is typically coated with a thin layer of nickel-chrome plating. If this layer disappears, then your tip is done for. So, in your case, this layer is not there anymore. When you rub it with sandpaper, you remove the oxide layer and when you quickly apply the solder, you create a protective barrier against oxidation. If it works, it works, but it is really a sign to replace that tip! Also, you said "steel wool"... That ruins the protective layer. So if steel wool is really what you are using, then you induced the damage to the tip yourself. We use brass for a reason. It is softer than the plating, so it won't damage it, but it is hard enough to scrape away the dirt from the tip.

[@foryouify]

Get a chemical soldering tip cleaner like STANOL Tippy or equivalent. It cleans the tip and also tins it. Also using sand paper destroys the tip. So you might want to get a new one.

[@CuriousScientist]

Super tips! Thanks for the contribution!

[@bernhardweigl8524]

Noooooo pls never use sandpaper 😢

[@CuriousScientist]

Neither steel wool!

[@J0URDAIN]

Man, my wicking doesn’t suck up like that. I’ve even put flux on my wick and what I want to wick up but most of the time my wick just gets stuck to the board. I have to end up using a heat gun to get it unstuck. Any tips? 😕

[@CuriousScientist]

You need a hotter iron. Also, don't lift the iron and _then_ the wick. Lifte them together. Copper is a great thermal conductor, so as soon as you lift the iron off it, it will start cooling down rapidly.

[@torrin4615]

I struggle with desoldering

[@CuriousScientist]

Also, a lot of flux and solder wick, and a pump! Also, you can add low melting point solder to make the blob melt easily and solidify a bit slower.

[@obidahasdia4095]

Soldering station 60w soldering iron is enough ? Or should i go 80w 90 95 158w soldering iron what the different? And is getting soldering iron alone and heatgun alone without being in one station is way better? As i want to buy but dont know which to buy . Weller / hakko fx 888d / wep 948 ii , yihua which is better company to buy solder station iron heat gun etc from? I want it reliable and strong also heat fast within seconds and have parts spare parts avaliable .. Any tips ? ​@@CuriousScientist

[@CuriousScientist]

Just buy a TS 100 or a similar iron.

[@obidahasdia4095]

@@CuriousScientist is it good enough tp solder ps2 modchip? Planning to get microscope camera monitor too will it help? And some wag 24 32 something cables .. Planning to do my first soldering modchip .. How should i know where to scruff solder mask off points and where its located ? When to ?

[@CuriousScientist]

The iron is good enough. It is more like a question of your skills. But if you don't even know what iron to buy, maybe you should practice first before working on a mod chip.

[@goranjosic]

I don't like working with lead free solder, it is much harder, at lest for me, I'm not a professional and I only solder for my hobby projects

[@CuriousScientist]

It's not easy to access leaded solder nowadays. And lead-free works just fine, you just need to crank up the temperature a bit. The solder I use in the video is also a generic lead-free solder.

[@goranjosic]

@CuriousScientist aliexpress is the best place for those things. As soon as it doesn't say that it's lead-free, you know that it's lead (they just don't want to point it out), like Tinol and the like. I'm aware that lead is poison, but I solder so infrequently that I'm sure they can slip through, especially with a ventilated room Edit: I'm clumsy, the higher the temperature, the higher the chance I'll destroy the board, it happened. That's why I stick to lead.

[@CuriousScientist]

Sure, there are ways to get them. Sometimes, people sell them on the local trading platform in big rolls as well. It's just cumbersome and more expensive. I am not afraid of lead, I work with more dangerous stuff on a daily basis, plus I always wear gloves. At the end of the day, it will be up for our personal preference and comfort.

[@ThatDIYguy862]

put captions on your video next time, harder to understand with the quick talk and accent

[@CuriousScientist]

I thought they could be turned on and off by the viewers. Or do you mean that I should use those annoying text to speech captions that are used for those AI voicover videos?

[@ThatDIYguy862]

@@CuriousScientist I guess the youtube built in one works ok but still writes some things wrong, either way, great video.

[@CuriousScientist]

Will try for the upcoming short videos. Please make sure you'll check them! 😉

[@rowannonstarson8447]

yeah no need for a good soldering iron just a good soldering wire

[@CuriousScientist]

And technique!

[@sarikayk]

I WAS USING FLUX RIGHT FUKING NOU

[@CuriousScientist]

What?

[@denesdomjan9371]

Are you hungarian ? Accent is very similar 😮

[@p.k.953]

wow such poor tools😂😅

[@CuriousScientist]

I bought the iron in 2017 for 12.74$ and the sponge for 2.99$. I don't think that you could get much more poor than that...

[@saninnsalas]

217 deg. mine needs like 400 deg celsius :(

[@CuriousScientist]

400°C? That's way too high for soldering.

[@saninnsalas]

@CuriousScientist looks like, but otherwise the solder doesn't meld, and I am using a not so cheap brand. Maybe the tips of my soldering iron suck.

[@CuriousScientist]

Yes, then probably the tip is not reaching the set temperature. My everyday iron is running at 350°C, but if I was more patient, I could run it even lower.

[@jobaptist]

in malaysia they can do much better job at soldering att their pcb factory.. the malaysians are very well experienced in the world... they built the twin towrs so of course they can do professional soldering job...

[@CuriousScientist]

At a PCB factory, they do this for a living, so of course they should be the best in it... I am not a PCB manufacturer. 🙂

[@jobaptist]

@@CuriousScientist i can make pcb foryou... i have m own factory and we are very innovative we have 500 workers in my factory

[@CuriousScientist]

Thanks! I am in close collaboration with PCBWay, so I already have a good large-scale manufacturing infrastructure provided. And for a small scale, I will keep doing myself.

[@johnnz4375]

Great tutorial, but never use leadfree solder if you want something to keep working.

[@CuriousScientist]

Thanks! True words! 60/40 solder is definitely better, but for example here in the EU, it is banned. Sure, people can still buy them through different channels, but for example, I can not get it from my favorite electronics supplier.

[@paaabl0.]

It's still available for hobbysts and repairs, isn't it?

[@CuriousScientist]

I am not sure. I can buy them second hand (I guess it is a grey zone), but for example, none of my favorite electronics stores sell them. They all sell lead-free.

[@leothecrafter4808]

If you use good quality lead free solder like alloys containing Tin, Silver and Copper then lead free is completely fine and definitely worth the price for the lower toxicity. People are ignorant and stubborn.

[@leventehorvath1393]

üdv. magyarország :D