The further adventures of __kali__ in soldering

[kaliha]

I had another go at soldering again this week. It was a tiny bit more successful than the first.



So, I started off with an off-cut of an iridescent green 3mm thick piece of glass and wrapped the copper round it. I used the end of a spoon to really flatten out the copper and make the edges nice and snug.<


Sorry for the rubbishy blurry photo. This is the 'After' shot I'm starting to get the hang of laying the solder down but it's still not all that neat. It's okay though. Not bad for my second attempt.


Putting the loop on the top though was really difficult. (I have all the best tools for this. For an extra hand I used a clothes peg that had been soaked in water.) I think I may have overcooked the solder. I'm not too sure.


I think my main problem is my soldering iron. That's the tip. No I don't know what's happened to the rest of it either. I've not found bits of it anywhere, it's not exploded, it's sort of just...dissolved. It's very strange.

I do have a pointy tip from the soldering iron that did actually explode with flames and stuff so I'm going to swap them about.

I've also bought an e-book on soldering pendants so that I can get some tips on doing it better. Especially the hanging loops.

Comments

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

Are you using lead-free solder?

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

Basically your problem is probably that your soldering iron tip is made from (steel-coated) copper and when you solder copper that leeches copper from your soldering iron (which might also explain some of the finish on your pendant). If you used old-fashioned solder containing lead then that'd slow the process down slightly but it'd also expose you to lead fumes. Also, make sure the flux you're using isn't too acid for the job. You can safely file the end of your soldering iron flat a few times but you're still probably going to need to replace it regularly unless your switch the metals you're soldering.

/tool geek

[--kali--.livejournal.com]

This is why I love LJ, someone on my flist always has the answer :)

Yes it's lead-free solder, but the flux is 'built in' unfortunately the packaging gives me no idea of what sort of flux it is.

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

All knowledge is contained in fandom on lj!!1!!

Electronics geeks solder lots of very delicate copper wire etc so they're the people (and shops) to ask for possible solutions. Their tech knowledge is likely to be more up to date than mine.

[sal101010.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but I'm laughing at your soldering iron! I like the finished piece though.

I can ask Andrew any soldering questions you still have, bearing in mind that he is an electronics geek!

[--kali--.livejournal.com]

I've never seen a soldering iron tip do that before. Then again you get what you pay for.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hedgewytch_/]

Wow they look amazing - despite the problems, sounds like wise advice. Keep at it ;o)

[chicklet73.livejournal.com]

Yay pictures!

I like the finished piece...and I'm sorry to see your soldering iron's tip is all kaput.