Solder help please

[APB_4]

I should be getting a Duncan Custom either the end of this week or early next and i want to solder it myself. I have read the soldering tips in the vault but wondered if the solder i have is alright. It says it is suitable for electrical joints. It is Ersin multicore solder, 5 core savbit alloy apparently. Any suggestions?

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Solder help please

im not sure about soldering myself, but i believe the wattage that is suitable is around 25... but im not sure about all the rest.... i dont think all that other stuff makes a big difference. just sounds fancy to me.

 

[APB_4]

Re: Solder help please

alright thanx. well the soldering iron is 40W so it should be alright

 

[theodie]

Re: Solder help please

40W is ideal.

 

[Artie]

Re: Solder help please

The "other stuff" is very important, however, Ersin Multicore is good solder. Ersin Multicore Eutectic is perfect, savbit is fine.

Kester is the the other good solder, the one I use. 63/37 tin/lead is considered perfect, 60/40 is perfectly fine.

A higher wattage iron is really better. Low wattage irons tend to slowly heat the metal, melting plastic and insulation before the terminal gets to solder temperature. 40 watt should be fine, but is at the low end of what I'd recommend.

Edit: However, never use a soldering "gun".

 

[APB_4]

Re: Solder help please

Thanks for the tips Artie. Ive never even seen a soldering "gun" so theres no chance of that happening. lol

 

[rspst14]

Re: Solder help please

You should be all set...I've done guitar work with 25, 30, and 40 watt irons. 40 watt irons are the absolute best for getting good solder joints. One of the toughest things about guitar work is getting a good solder joint when soldering to the back of the pot. Lower wattage irons don't heat the pot casing sufficiently. A 40 watt iron will, so you don't have to worry about the solder balling up and then falling off.

Ryan

 

[APB_4]

Re: Solder help please

thanks rspst

 

[HolyDirt]

Re: Solder help please

i've used 15w to 40w soldering irons on guitar components and i find lower wattages to melt the rubber insulation on wires because they take a while to heat up the component, 40w irons always do it quickly, but if your new, you have to know not to keep it on a component for too long.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Solder help please

Soldering gun is a propane fed pistol like device that can melt steel.

 

[texasguitarslinger]

Re: Solder help please

Soldering gun is a propane fed pistol like device that can melt steel.

Impressive... right up to the point when you try to solder something in your guitar's control cavity and you have to replace all of the wiring because the radiant heat from your "pistol" melts every exposed piece of insulation.

 

[APB_4]

Re: Solder help please

jeez if it's that hot you might as well weld the bastard things lol

 

[Mephis]

Re: Solder help please

Hey, they have that new "Cold Solder" pen out, would this do a good job for soldering guitar pickups if you have the right solder?