Hints on Soldering

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 7, 31 August 1928, Page 27

Hints on Soldering

Having a good iron or other suitable means of heating soldered joints is important, but using it efficiently is just as necessary. Many failures of newly-constructed receivers are caused by one or more "rosin" joints in which heat has not been applied for a sufflicient time to make a sound joint, with the result that the rosin core has melted and formed an insulating cement that "joins" the wires but allows no electric impulses to pass. The correct way of using rosin-cored solder is to first apply the iron to the work in order to heat it as a preliminary, then raise the iron a trifle from the work and introduce the rosin cored solder between the working face of the jron and the work itself. Then press the iron against the work and hold it there until you note the solder flowing smoothly and freely about the contact. Then lift the iron and allow the work to cool and you will find that you have executed a perfect joint. Never attempt to carry your solder and flux to your work on the heated iron point, because it requires skill of a high degree to accomplish a satisfactory operation in this manner. If you melt solder on the upper faces of the jron it forces the flux and solder to run around the iron faces before it ean reach the surface which we wish to solder. This allows the abietic acid to volatilise before it has any opportunity to accomplish its purpose. Then vou are likely to secure one of those dreaded rosin joints. Those who are in doubt as to their skill in executing a successful soldered joint can adopt no Wetter method than to first "tin" with older the two surfaces which they intend to join: then bring them in contact / and reheat, applying a small amount of the rosin cored soldcr directly to the union to complete the operation. he iron must be kept clean and well tinned in order to make sound and satisfactory joints. ,