Use more heat - soldering technique caution

[w9gb]

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[Rich Lentz]

>> I would like to caution newcomers and first time builders on the "turning

the knob" on your new adjustable soldering station (e.g. Pace, Haako,
Weller, Metcal) to
achieve more heat.

EXCELLENT Discussion.  

As an experiment, try soldering two small (#24) copper (untinned) wires
together with the highest setting.  You can see the rosin burn up and not
"clean" the copper and the solder does not stick.

With the correct temperature the rosin will wet the surface, then the
boiling flux (rosin) "cleans" off the oxide layer on the copper.  After the
oxide layer has been removed, the solder adheres to the CLEAN copper. The
flux has vaporized (boiled away) and the two components are bonded
(soldered) together.  

Thus, if to hot the rosin boils away before cleaning the copper or ends up
as burnt black specs around the joint (when really hot!).  You also risk
burning the PCB because of the high temperature.

If to cold the rosin does not properly clean the joint and also is not
boiled away and you end up with a poor joint or with blobs of rosin around
the joint.  You also risk burning the PCB because it takes to long to make
the connection.

This is why you don't need to remove the flux on a properly soldered
connection.

Rich,
KE0X




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