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Paragon · 07-01-2009, 06:24 PM

Pre tinning may be good for beginners if they are having troubles. Also, make sure you use a flux core (rosin) solder. I usually use like a 0.25 diameter.

I don't bother to tin the wires. My joints are fine. The main thing to do is to heat both the wire and the lug using that bit of melted solder on the tip and make sure you apply the solder wire to the joint and not the tip. This will help direct the flux to clean the area allowing the solder to flow. Another thing you can do is use a flux pen to preflux the larger joints like plug connections, pot lugs and especially the case of pots for grounds.

I usually pinch the wire around the lugs so everything stay in place without solder so your hands are free for the iron and solder.

07-01-2009, 06:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
Paragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 801 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Well, it's official. I can't solder. Pre tinning may be good for beginners if they are having troubles. Also, make sure you use a flux core (rosin) solder. I usually use like a 0.25 diameter. I don't bother to tin the wires. My joints are fine. The main thing to do is to heat both the wire and the lug using that bit of melted solder on the tip and make sure you apply the solder wire to the joint and not the tip. This will help direct the flux to clean the area allowing the solder to flow. Another thing you can do is use a flux pen to preflux the larger joints like plug connections, pot lugs and especially the case of pots for grounds. I usually pinch the wire around the lugs so everything stay in place without solder so your hands are free for the iron and solder.