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Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

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Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#51
post #38

Oh boy, nice idea, but this looks complicated and time consuming. I recommend to get some good equipment first: - solder fume extractor (see below) - extra thin high quality tin - a desoldering pump AND desoldering wire - high quality flux - a TS 100 soldering Iron with KU tip from ali express for 50 bucks - optional: USB-C Power Adapter for your existing power supply (so you don't have to buy one) - optional: a sold…

As someone aspiring to solder more, thanks for this list! Do you have any thoughts on the TS 100 vs the Pinecil? I thought the Pinecil was a slightly newer and more refined iron but curious if you have an opinion. https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-solde...

No, I did never own a Pinecil, but the TS100 is just awesome, but the KU tip is even more important. It looks too big for fine work, but it isnt. I soldered a broken backlight fuse for my T480s with this (that's proably the tiniest thing ever soldered without a heat gun).

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#53

Soldering is good, BUT... You should avoid soldering when possible because connectors are detachable for module maintenance and solder is prone to cracking in high vibration environments. Typically you will see a connector soldered and otherwise secured mechanically to a PCB where vibrations are unavoidable. Crimping is better whenever feasible

This is probably true for scaled production, BUT...

Most people following Instructables for tips on soldering wires to vector boards aren't likely to need to maintain their prototypes, and roughly 0% of those prototypes will be in a high-vibration environment.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#55
I'm not a fan, this looks like terrible advise. If you want to do high quality work, solder header pins onto the board and use crimp-connectors on your lead wires. I don't use flux-core wire, I prefer to apply flux directly to the pads/pins/wires as applicable. As others have pointed out, use appropriate strain relief.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#56
This is extremely useful to me as a _hobbyist_. Many of the critiques in this thread are valid, but probably not relevant to the hobbyist environment.

For me, I struggle to get solder even in the best of circumstances. It's just a skill that I cannot master. I really, really like this technique as it enables me to make passable hobby solders without risking messing up my project.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#57

Soldering is good, BUT... You should avoid soldering when possible because connectors are detachable for module maintenance and solder is prone to cracking in high vibration environments. Typically you will see a connector soldered and otherwise secured mechanically to a PCB where vibrations are unavoidable. Crimping is better whenever feasible

Crimping is better if you're an industrial facility and you can afford to scrap a few parts working out how to crimp them.

If you're an individual making runs of 1 and you have to crimp a different connector to a different wire every time, soldering is easier and more likely to result in a reliable connection.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#58
NAVAIR 01-2A-23 NAVSEA SE004-AK-TRS-010/2M MARINE CORPS TM 5895-45/1E USAF T.O. 00-25-259

STANDARD MAINTENANCE PRACTICES MINIATURE/MICROMINIATURE (2M) ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY REPAIR

https://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorde...

I was a solder tech in the Navy. That was our Bible.

Re: Soldering Wires – Here's a different way

#60

NAVAIR 01-2A-23 NAVSEA SE004-AK-TRS-010/2M MARINE CORPS TM 5895-45/1E USAF T.O. 00-25-259 STANDARD MAINTENANCE PRACTICES MINIATURE/MICROMINIATURE (2M) ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY REPAIR https://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorde... I was a solder tech in the Navy. That was our Bible.

Interesting. It looks just like the NASA guidelines, but with military slapped all over it.

I wonder which ones came first given how much aerospace is miltary work.

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