Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

[telemanjam]

I'm assembling my new Strat, and I can't get the solder to stick to the trem claw. I tried lightly sanding it to remove any coating that may be on the claw, but it still won't stick.

What should I do?

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

Duct tape?

 

[KeyOfG]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

It would be best for you to use a 25-30W iron with a flat tip. This will help for the section to heat up more and spread out too, as opposed to a point tip. Also use a little bit of solder flux on the area that you will be placing the ground wire tip (OR, dip the end of your ground wire just a tad bit into some flux). Clip the wire with an alligator clip, or hemostat, to add some weight to hold the wire in place so you won't have to futz with too many things at once. Use a pointer stick, chop stick, whichever, to keep the wire's end flush with the claw if you have too, then go to town... Just a few seconds, if that long, until you see the flux react with the solder, you'll notice the solder flow, release the iron tip from the spot and let it cool. EZ.

But yeah usually those connections take a bit more effort than a wire to a lug or spade.

 

[greco]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

I would suggest at least a 30 watt iron (even more wattage/power if you have one).

bigalthethird suggests duct tape....you might also want to know that he was using a SIX watt iron when he first posted concerns about soldering (now he will post something about Canucks...you just wait)

Dave

 

[telemanjam]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

It would be best for you to use a 25-30W iron with a flat tip. This will help for the section to heat up more and spread out too, as opposed to a point tip. Also use a little bit of solder flux on the area that you will be placing the ground wire tip (OR, dip the end of your ground wire just a tad bit into some flux). Clip the wire with an alligator clip, or hemostat, to add some weight to hold the wire in place so you won't have to futz with too many things at once. Use a pointer stick, chop stick, whichever, to keep the wire's end flush with the claw if you have too, then go to town... Just a few seconds, if that long, until you see the flux react with the solder, you'll notice the solder flow, release the iron tip from the spot and let it cool. EZ.

But yeah usually those connections take a bit more effort than a wire to a lug or spade.

The iron is 40 watts and has a flat tip. I'll try some flux.

I've never had this problem before, and I've soldered tons of different trem claws before.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

I would suggest at least a 30 watt iron (even more wattage/power if you have one).

bigalthethird suggests duct tape....you might also want to know that he was using a SIX watt iron when he first posted concerns about soldering (now he will post something about Canucks...you just wait)

Dave

:laughing: I was completely joking Dave (and Teletoejam)! I was thinking of saying super glue, but there you have it.

And knocking me for using a 6 watter, eh? I didn't know what the hell I was doing! Thanks again for the help Dave, you've earned a free pass from Canuck jokes for life. Except for the occasional "eh?"

 

[greco]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

:Except for the occasional "eh?"

Eh...Thanks...Eh

 

[telemanjam]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

The flux worked. Thanks fellers.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

This is the claw for the Hipshot whammy bar in my parts Strat:

The claw wasn't in the guitar when I attached the ground wire. I roughed up the metal with some sandpaper, and held the wire in place with a surgical clamp (from Radio Shack of all places) tilted the claw so the solder would stay in the corner, and soldered it up. No flux. I used a 40watt Weller, with a 3/32" screwdriver type tip. Nothing special. But the tip has to be really clean. A soldering station with a wet sponge to clean the tip with helps a whole lot when working on guitars.

Pete

 

[J Moose]

Re: Help! Solder won't stick to trem claw!

Rough it up with a metal brush or some sandpaper...