Frustrating solder

[Altitudes]

Ok this is frustrating me to the point of nearly ripping my hair out..

I'm trying to install some seymours into my jackson kelly. it has a les paul type toggle switch just so you know..

but the switch will absolutely not take a solder connection . im using rosin core solder, and i have done all the wiring in my stratocaster and my other jackson which had blade switches. but this will just NOT stick. its maddening! sometimes i can get the wire connected to the switch, but the connection is so weak that i can pull it off by accident .. :smack:

what am i doing wrong

 

[Fritz6]

Re: Frustrating solder

This was for soldering to the back of a pot, but maybe it'll help you out:

-use the widest tip you have for the back of the pot
-let iron (40-45 watts) heat up. when solder flows onto it, its ready to go.
-tin (tinning is applying a thin layer of solder to every surface to be soldered) tip before using it for the first time and keep it wet throughout process. dry tip wont work
-scuff up back of pot
-put flux on pot
-tin back of pot
-put flux on wire
-tin wire
-put flux on pot and wire again
-put solder on tip until a tear drop forms (doing it this way prevents the need for a 3rd hand!)
-put wire on pot
-put tip on wire and pot
-solder will flow onto both
-remove tip but hold wire on pot for a sec or two
-unplug soldering iron
-your done

*NEVER use a soldering gun, only a soldering iron. If in the process of tinning the back of the pot you leave too much solder behind, remove the excess with copper solder braid.

 

[Altitudes]

Re: Frustrating solder

hmm thanks.

the thing with this solder iron is i just got it brand new for christmas

i have it on 40 watts.. but solder doesn't flow and stick to the tip. funny how solder stuck on my old, crap 15 watt iron and I wired my strat fine with it

 

[Artie]

Re: Frustrating solder

One other thing, the end of the soldering iron must be "wetted". That is, have a thin coating of solder on it. I always buy one of those little tubs of flux from Radio Shack. Dip the hot tip into it, wipe it on a damp sponge, then coat it with solder. Thats how the tip transfers heat to the part to be soldered.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Frustrating solder

use some finegrained sandpaper, and sand off abit of the surface.
Sometimes smooth surfaces offers too little fastening for the solder to stay on.