Coil soldering advice...

[tref_h]

Okay, I was messing with a pickup recently and the lead broke off the end of the coil winding.

I know the winding is lacquered for insulation, and very very thin!

Two questions really;

Firstly, would I need to abrade the winding to get clean wire to solder onto or would the hot soldering iron scorch the lacquer off? Not trying to be lazy, just minimize handling for pickup safety reasons - I've screwed up enough already!

Secondly, is a 25W soldering iron going to be damagingly hot to make a joint between output wire and winding? Asking because following from point above, having considered that the soldering iron might be enough to scorch the lacquer off, I'd hate to give my coil an internal short!

Thanks guys!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

I have had the same problem. You will need something small and sharp like a dental pick or a mini screwdriver to remove the solder from the hole. Heat up the solder until molten and then push the solder out of the hole. Then put the wire back in the hole and create a new solder joint. Even though the wire is coated the heat of the solder is enough to melt it and create a good connection.

 

[tref_h]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

Okay, thanks!

So I can rely on the heat to take care of the insulation, good to know.

Um, about the tooth pick though... I normally use a standard desoldering tool like this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desoldering Is the mechanical push through described in preference, maybe to keep heat down, or due to not having solder suckers, vacuum bulbs, desoldering braid or whatever handy? Really not having a go, just curious!

Anyone got any thoughts on the 25W solding iron? Am I safe or is it gonna fry my winding? :22:

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

Okay, thanks!

So I can rely on the heat to take care of the insulation, good to know.

Um, about the tooth pick though... I normally use a standard desoldering tool like this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desoldering Is the mechanical push through described in preference, maybe to keep heat down, or due to not having solder suckers, vacuum bulbs, desoldering braid or whatever handy? Really not having a go, just curious!

Anyone got any thoughts on the 25W solding iron? Am I safe or is it gonna fry my winding? :22:

You need to remove the solder from the joint because the wire is so soft it is hard to thread through the hole. You don't need to worry about melting the wire as long as you do it quick. I use a 50watt iron and I have had no problems. The melting point of copper is higher than lead. Before you solder you should check to make sure the coil still has continuity otherwise it might be a wasted effort.

 

[tref_h]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

Cool... thankies!

Totally get why you would want the old solder off the joint, it's not the best idea to top up an old joint if you can avoid it anyway. What I'm querying is the method of removal. Unless I'm missing something, you're warming it up and then shoving it clear of the joint, where a desoldering pump basically... err... vacuums the flowing solder up in one hit. Is one way better than the other or have I missed the point and you're doing something else apart from simply cleaning up old solder?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

Cool... thankies!

Totally get why you would want the old solder off the joint, it's not the best idea to top up an old joint if you can avoid it anyway. What I'm querying is the method of removal. Unless I'm missing something, you're warming it up and then shoving it clear of the joint, where a desoldering pump basically... err... vacuums the flowing solder up in one hit. Is one way better than the other or have I missed the point and you're doing something else apart from simply cleaning up old solder?

The method of removal isn't important.

 

[tref_h]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

Just checking I wasn't missing something, sorry if I sounded pedantic!

Wasn't sure if you were saying to push a solder coated wire end through for extra stiffness...

Lets see if I can get it right this time!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

I prefer the solder sucker
its a vacuum de-soldering tool
10 bucks at radio shack

removes unwanted solder cleanly

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

I prefer the solder sucker
its a vacuum de-soldering tool
10 bucks at radio shack

removes unwanted solder cleanly

That thing looks like a sex toy for the terminators wife.

 

[TeleLubber]

Re: Coil soldering advice...

That thing looks like a sex toy for the terminators wife.

It does the job! :smokin: