Need soldering advice

[opt1c8n]

Hi, I don't have much soldering experience so I've got a couple of questions for all you experts.

1. How do you guys solder grounding wires to the back of pots? Do you tin the wire and the pot before you solder? Do you place a bit of solder on the pot, then place the wire on the bit of solder and melt the solder with the wire on it?

2. How do you solder the lug to the back of the pot? Does the lug need to be bent up until it touches the pot before you solder? If not, how do you solder onto the gap between the lug and the pot?

Thanks!

[stryker59]

great question! i dont consider myself an expert or pro, but ill chime in anyway.....
for no.1 that is exactly what i do, i feed solder to the back of the pot, then tin the end of the wire and then melt them together...make sure you hold the wire to the back of the pot until the solder has hardened. as for no. 2 that is also what i do. bend the lug to the pot casing and then feed solder.

[opt1c8n]

Originally Posted by stryker59

as for no. 2 that is also what i do. bend the lug to the pot casing and then feed solder.

thanks for your response stryker. by the way do you tin the lug and the pot before you solder?

[asmith9509]

Originally Posted by opt1c8n

Hi, I don't have much soldering experience so I've got a couple of questions for all you experts.

1. How do you guys solder grounding wires to the back of pots? Do you tin the wire and the pot before you solder? Do you place a bit of solder on the pot, then place the wire on the bit of solder and melt the solder with the wire on it?

2. How do you solder the lug to the back of the pot? Does the lug need to be bent up until it touches the pot before you solder? If not, how do you solder onto the gap between the lug and the pot?

Thanks!

For #1, I do exactly as you describe. Tin the lead, put a small blob of solder on the back of the pot (make sure that you get a good melt, and the solder "lays down" on the metal). Put the two together, melt the solder ,and hold very still while they cool.

For #2, I bend the lug back until it touches the case, but this took me some practice. I broke the plastic base that the lugs are mounted to a few times before I got it right. Safe way is to use a piece of wire, but not as clean. It may help you to use an alligator clip to hold the lug secure to the casing while you solder it.

[b-squared]

For the pots, I solder everything I can outside of the guitar. I have a small jig that I attach the pots to (same measurements as the guitar).

For pots, I have a small wire brush (like a paintbrush) that I carefully brush off the pot with to remove any grime or oxidation. I then take a small drop of flux and put it on the back of the pot where I'm attaching the wires. After tinning the iron and getting a small blob of solder on there, I touch the iron to the flux, and "stir it around for a couple of seconds--the solder should flatten out into a nice small circle. I then wipe off any flux with a paper towel.

After tinning the wires, I place the wire on top if the circle of solder (and hold it down with needlenose pliers), then touch the iron to the wire. The solder will melt and be sucked up into the wire. Remove the iron, continue to hold while the solder cools. For the braided stuff on pickups you may need to apply a touch more solder to the joint.

Be careful, though. Too much heat can ruin the pots. Do it fast, then get the iron off.

Here's one of my sets I soldered up for my R7 upgrade:



When soldering the lugs, I carefully bend the lug to the pot; my needlenose pliers, when opened all the way, holds the lug snugly against the pot. I put a dab of flux on the connection, then tin the iron. After touching the iron to the joint the solder flows over it, and I add a bit more to the joint. Sometimes it goes well with a small bit--sometimes you have to add more.

The joints should be shiny, and you can feel the solder "squeak" when the iron is on it.

BB


Oh--one more thing--good for you for deciding to do it yourself!!!

[opt1c8n]

thanks for the invaluable advice guys. i am sure this will be useful to those out there who are beginners like me