How to Solder Through Hole parts (it's easy!)

Perfect for beginners. Learn how to solder through-hole parts with detailed closeup shots and great tips for beginners and advanced users alike. Hope you like it!
In this video I build a Eurorack Synthesizer Module (a 4MS Shuffling Clock Multiplier) in an easy step-by-step guide.
Here is where I bought this kit (I have no affiliation. It's just a cool shop!):
escapefromnoise.com/
Link to 4MS (maker of this kit; again, no affiliation or sponsorship. I just like their products!):
4mscompany.com/
If you enjoy these videos please consider supporting this channel on Patreon! Even a $1 a month goes a long way :)
www.patreon.com/leomakes

[@leftmono1016]

I'm about 1/3 of the way into building a Bastl Skis, I've done quite a few kits and home made stuff but this is my first step into modular. I was really surprised how small the resistors are, (much smaller than what I've been used to) and also the pads seem to be ever so slightly recessed into the pcb so even using a fine point tip wasn't easy at first. But you learn to adapt, apply less solder and all seems to be ok so far. Great video btw!!

[@munfaija]

Found this video to be very useful, thanks a lot!

[@Mad4400]

Found myself a vacuum hose on the side of the road this week. So that's my next DIY project

[@MajellaAudio]

Nice video! Very clear explanation of a fun and educational proces! :)

[@LeoMakes]

Thanks guys! Hope all is well with your products!

[@TiltingAtCthulhu]

Great video! Keep them coming. My last project was the Befaco BF-22, finishing my 2x84 (mostly) DIY eurorack :-). So many modules to pick compared to my first (Serge) system, it's amazing. But since I had to take one module out of it due to lack of space, I have secretly started planning out my second system around that module, it's an expensive addiction...

[@LeoMakes]

It really is. I tell myself that it's cheaper/healthier than a lot of other addictions one can get into. :)

[@skunksmisery]

Synth DIY Guy has some strong competition! Great video.

[@LeoMakes]

Quincas (Synth DIY Guy) is great! He makes really good videos and we chatted on a forum not long ago. Cool guy! Thanks for watching!

[@originalfallinggirl]

Thanks so much!

[@MartinYamMoller]

Good vid. Seems like it should be easy😉👍

[@jamesbritt5597]

Thank you for this. One comment: Please lower the background music. It's too loud in the mix. (Background music is likely not even needed.)

[@dualtrx]

Great !

[@mpingo91]

What brand of the soldering iron do you use?

[@balasubramaniamramasamy9530]

I would like to see some more on salvation of home equipment like tv, speakers motherboard possibly

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

What type of solder do you use? Enjoyed the vid.

[@MrRoskoPeko]

Glad I watched this. Looks like the DIY 4ms RCD is not skiff friendly. :-(

[@tomwhitcomb6848]

Great video, enjoying this channel but, I want to see LeoMakesome music!!

[@AMusicalPsychosis]

Great video. What’s a good safe temperature for soldering through hole components?

[@LeoMakes]

It really depends on what solder you're using. Take a look at your solder's spool (or packaging) and it's usually written on there. Use that temperature as a starting point and don't be afraid to go a little higher or lower since most irons aren't 100% accurate when it comes to temperature. Before long you'll get a feel for it. Thanks for watching!

[@maxfrahm8407]

What soldering iron do you use? It looks pretty neat....

[@LeoMakes]

It's a Metcal MFR-1100. It came with the smoke extractor that I wanted (Metcal BVX-201) as a package deal and I ended up really liking it a lot. It's "entry level" for Metcal but it's way better than the 20 year old hand-me-down Weller I got when I was starting out.

[@whiterottenrabbit]

Could you please elaborate on that vacuum hose and how you suck away the fumes? Is it just that you connect it to the vacuum cleaner?

[@LeoMakes]

It's called a fume extractor. It's similar to a vacuum cleaner, but it's designed specifically to capture the smoke from soldering (it has a huge HEPA filter inside it with a layer of activated charcoal). A normal vacuum isn't designed to capture smoke so it won't work for soldering. I used a cheap (approx. $40) desktop fan for many years before upgrading to the nice one I have now (Metcal BVX-201).

[@florianbeck4283]

I'm building an edrum kit at the moment ... now it starts to get to the more difficult part with the trigger module.

[@LeoMakes]

Good luck with your build!

[@florianbeck4283]

@@LeoMakes Thank you!

[@seanchud]

Is the iron touching the pcb? I can't quite tell. Is it ok if it does?

[@LeoMakes]

Hey Sean. The iron needs to touch the pad (the exposed metal part on the PCB) and component leg sticking through the hole so that the solder melts and wicks to both things. The rest of the PCB (the green part) is quite heat resistant so if your iron happens to touch that part for a few seconds while you're soldering, it's totally fine. Thanks for watching (and the question)!

[@josephpailo556]

At Minute 9:10 you should use a multimeter to check Ground and power before plugging it in. Thats always the best thing instead of plugging it in and unplugging. Just make sure ground is not touching +12-12+5. This is a really great video. Good shots and nice camera.

[@LeoMakes]

Good tip!

[@omegalasermexico]

You only solder at back side?

[@PandaPotPies]

my soldering iron must be too hot since it was melting the pcb without even touching it, just hovering over it

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

7:26 - It's not the most reliable way to lift a pad, but it'll do in a pinch. You might have to retry a couple of times though.

[@Davidkiou1]

Kinda late to the party, my last and only musical build is an Atari Punk Console. I don't play or write music, I just wanted to build the damn thing and next is a step sequencer. Why? Because soldering is my addiction.

[@LeoMakes]

Soldering is pretty addictive when you get into the flow of it.

[@Davidkiou1]

I used to solder for a good amount of time, every day, for 3 years at a previous job even BGA components and I love it. Well, you and Look Mum no Computer will sure get me back to do it more often as a hobby again :) Forgot to say, I watched all of your videos in one sitting and really like them! Huge respect and keep it up!

[@robertsyrett1992]

Desoldering and Troubleshooting: What happens when you ruin one part in a full kit and there isn't an extra?

[@LeoMakes]

It's a good question. I think I'll have to make a separate rework and repair video to go over things like desoldering. I'll put it on the list.

[@robertsyrett1992]

That would be amazing. Because my first build I threw out all because I lacked the knowledge of how to properly desolder.

[@josephpailo556]

Mouser.com

[@PandaPotPies]

@@josephpailo556 with the secret discount on shipping

[@Smelsert]

Do you ever worry about Electrostatic Discharge with a project like this? Or is it just not that big of an issue?

[@LeoMakes]

I do have an ESD mat (the whole background of the video is actually an ESD mat) but to be honest, I did DIY projects like this for years without any ESD protection and I never had a problem. Maybe I'm lucky and I just don't get much static charge in the lab area, but I've heard others say the same thing (like Louis Rossmann, for example). I think today's parts today are pretty resilient to ESD.

[@TiltingAtCthulhu]

Depends on the parts :). Some ICs can be extremely vulnerable to discharges (I fried a CMOS IC by touching it once). Since then, I make sure to take all "lo-tech" measures to prevent static discharge and nothing has ever happened since then: - Don't wear rubber shoes (take them off if you're not sure) - Touch a radiator with both hands before starting the project - Don't wear cotton or wool sweaters and don't touch your pet while soldering ;)

[@LeoMakes]

Funny--I was thinking about CMOS chips as I was typing my comment since I know those are famously sensitive to everything. I've never had the occasion to work with one of those, though. Your "low tech" measures are fantastic tips!

[@Phlow]

Hey Leo, I am still searching a first good project with a tool, I truly want to use. I am no eurorack guy. But I would like to try a DIY project where I can solder a good sounding filter. Maybe apart from eurorack you could do a stompbox filter, like the Hungry Robot VCF - www.hungryrobotmodular.com/vcf - Most of the Bastl or other DIY synth projects are to complex for a beginner I think and I don't need another synth, but a filter ;) but an eurorack filter would be fine, too of course.

[@spin2win257]

Just about to start on my first module. I would have like to see how you lined up the faceplate with the LEDs and jacks, and perhaps a bit more on cold joints (too common a problem). And I cringed every time you said solder. It's pronounced "sawder".

[@johnpedersen6611]

Irritating background music ! When trying to learn something. Otherwise good video.

[@LeoMakes]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm pretty new to video so it's been a learning process to get the mix right. I think it's getting better, though...