soldering 1/4'' ends help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wireneck
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Wireneck

Wireneck

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I did a search but I didn't find anything so here goes my question. Does anyone have any links to a good page or have advice on basic soldering techniques for things like 1/4" jacks (guitar cables).
I can sort of solder i think but it looks like krap and it takes forever. I know it takes practice but im not even sure if im doing it the proper way. Anyways i think this skill (soldering) is pretty essential for anyone dealing with alot of cables or electronic equipment so any help or advise would be appreciated greatly.
 
Alrighty, Im not sure if this will help or not. But I make stained-glass type things *lamps, suncatchers etc etc* and you have to solder the pieces together. Make sure they are clean, and you just take the solder in one hand *my right, im right handed* and the iron in the other, and just kinda let it drip down, and wham its done. im not sure if you should flux it or not, the flux makes it stick, so who knows, you might wanna look into that.

i hope that helps

freak
 
From what my friends who are into electronics more than I am tell me...the biggest problems with soldering are using too much or too little solder on a joint and letting it cool too quickly which makes the joint brittle and more prone to failure. Having said that...I lack much first-hand experience, so I can't really offer any pointers on how to avoid those...hope that's a bit of a tip though.
-Frank
 
you can pick up a reel of solder for about 3 bucks at radio shack. To solder cables, you want to get the wire itself hot at the point you want to solder, so that when you touch the solder to the wire it will wick it up and fill any voids in the strands.
 
what hasn't been mentioned here (though frank p alluded to it) that is a make-it-or-break-it rule is that you want to heat the JOINT, NOT the solder-as frank was saying, heating the solder only lets it cool too quickly, creating what is known as a cold solder joint-this means it is not bonded correctly and will be prone to flakiness (especially on something like a 1/4" cable that is going to likely see some abuse). hold the iron to the place you want the solder to be, heating the wire and the jack, and apply the solder directly to the joint-this keeps it good and warm, so it can "cure" properly. aside from that, it's easy enough to open a 1/4" cable to look at the amounts of solder commonly used.
 
Wireneck,
I already did a lengthy reply but the bloody thing off logged so heres a short one. Get plumbers flux from a hardware or plumbers supply.
Try www.guitarnuts.com they have a good section on tech tips, if you still have difficulty email me thru this web page.
Clive
 
I was taught to heat the joint by holding the iron to it, then when it is hot enough (you will know with practice), push some solder into the joint.

Flux - solder with a flux core works well, your local Radio Shack will have it.
 
Wireneck,

zer0sig and ecs 113 are right.

1. Heat each end you want to join and let the solder flow onto the joint by apllying the solder to the heated joint (one at a time).

2. Place the two solder coated pieces next to each other using some kind of clip or vise to keep them together as the solder cools.

3. Now you heat the joint with your soldering iron and the previosly applied solder coating should meld or flow together.

4. Allow several minutes to cool before moving your newly soldered joint.

5. Always keep your soldering tip "tinned" ie coated with a thin film of solder before putting it up.

6. The most important rule is Just Enough Is Just Right! No blobs or balls of solder.
 
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