Help: Soldering Question

[jmcorey]

Hi all,

I am attempting to solder new pickups into my guitar with a new set of 250 k pots. The problem I am having is getting a blob of the solder to stick to the pot casings, i.e., outside the pots, in order to ground them. I have a 30 watt soldering iron, switchable to 15. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[HolyDirt]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

Hi all,

I am attempting to solder new pickups into my guitar with a new set of 250 k pots. The problem I am having is getting a blob of the solder to stick to the pot casings, i.e., outside the pots, in order to ground them. I have a 30 watt soldering iron, switchable to 15. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Joe

get some sand paper, about 120 grit should do it, and sand the spot on the chassis of the pot, not too much, clean the remains from the sanding off, then solder

 

[Artie]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

The soldering iron tip must be "wetted", that is, coated with a layer of molten solder - to increase the "contact patch" of the heat.

When all surfaces are brought up to temperature, the solder should "flow" onto the joint.

If it doesn't "flow", you won't have a good connection.

Its an "art" . . . practice on non-critical applications before you start to modify a beloved instrument.

 

[Artie]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

get some sand paper, about 120 grit should do it, and sand the spot on the chassis of the pot, not too much, clean the remains from the sanding off, then solder

I don't mean to sound argumentative . . . but you should never have to "sand" anything to make a good solder connection.

Learn to solder . . . ie., practice on things that don't matter, before you start to weld on something important.

 

[Chi3f]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

run it at 30w. Tin the wires first. be patent the pots work as heat sinks.

the end-

 

[mrid]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

Its an "art" . . .

Ain't that the truth! Minutes to learn, a lifetime to master...like "GO!" :laugh2:

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

Ain't that the truth! Minutes to learn, a lifetime to master...like "GO!" :laugh2:

:laugh2:

 

[Ken]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

Tinning helps, for sure. I seem to recall some sage (probably Robert_S.) informing me that tinning is the #1 thing most newbies to soldering don't do.


And I've found a little contact cleaner doesn't hurt.

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: Help: Soldering Question

for back of pot soldering i use a huge ass high powered gun. not the best idea, but it works great