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andrewstadium
takin' a dinner break
Joined: 22 Jun 2003
Posts: 178
Location: Austin TX
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 Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 4:32 pm Post subject: cold solder joints |
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what are they?
what causes them?
is it my fault?
what kind of solder should I use?
how often should I change my solder tip?
why do bad things happen to good people?
i think robert loggia is going to be awesome on the sopranos.
discuss. |
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thecongostudio
steve albini likes it
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 394
Location: Central MA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| Quote: | what are they?
what causes them?
is it my fault?
what kind of solder should I use?
how often should I change my solder tip?
why do bad things happen to good people?
i think robert loggia is going to be awesome on the sopranos.
discuss. |
1. When you don't have a proper solder connection to the board or whatever you are soldering to.
2. Air pockets underneath the solder job creating no flow of current through the circuit you are soldering.
3. If you are soldering the board where there is a cold joint, then it is your fault.
4.Rosin core solder, with gauges varying on the size of the connection you are soldering.
5. Change your soldertip whenever it seems to be taking too long to heat up, but always take care of your equipment especially by wiping your tip after soldering.
6. Bad thing happen to good people for bad reasons.
7. I agree.
*bows* |
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Scodiddly
ghost haunting audio students
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Posts: 3160
Location: Libertyville, IL, USA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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Cold solder joints happen when the joint shifts before the solder is fully cooled. Hence it's not quite solid. Yes, they're probably your fault if you did the soldering.
Use Kester 44 solder. Change your iron's tip when it starts getting sort of corroded looking. |
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kcrusher
tinnitus
Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 1200
Location: Location! Location!
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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Both of the above responses are somewhat incorrect, at least the cause.
Cold solder joints are formed when the solder and contacts aren't heated up enough during the soldering process (thus the 'cold' moniker). Usually indicated by a dull or pitted looking solder joint.
A good solder job will be shiny and will not 'bulge' anywhere. If solder looks 'blobby', then it's probably a cold solder. The solder should flow freely during the soldering process. Good, clean tips, a good soldering iron and proper technique can all help with getting good solder joints every time.
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eeldip
dead but not forgotten
Joined: 02 May 2003
Posts: 2139
Location: NoPo
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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hey, i was just doin' some cable makin' and i was getting lots of cold joints using thick resin core solder and my 25W iron.
so i take it that switching to a 30-35W for cables would solve this problem?
just guessin. |
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soundguy
ghost haunting audio students
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 3182
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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try using thinner gauge solder first and see if the problem persists. I use a 25w iron for cables with no problem.
dave
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one hundred percent discrete transistor recording with style and care. |
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eeldip
dead but not forgotten
Joined: 02 May 2003
Posts: 2139
Location: NoPo
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| that is what i ended up doing. i just like the speed the thick stuff gave me. |
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soundguy
ghost haunting audio students
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 3182
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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the thick stuff comes with doses of adoral now?
dave
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one hundred percent discrete transistor recording with style and care. |
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dwlb
zen recordist
Joined: 31 Jul 2003
Posts: 6618
Location: criticizing globally, offending locally
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| soundguy wrote: | the thick stuff comes with doses of adoral now?
dave |
Comes with an amyl nitrate cap, actually. And make sure to wipe off your tip when you're done.
Robert Loggia and Steve Buscemi are going to kick ass on Sopranos.
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"Jeweller, you've failed. Jeweller."
"Lots of people are nostalgic for analog. I suspect they're people who never had to work with it." – Brian Eno
All the DWLB music is at http://dwlb.bandcamp.com/ |
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penrithmatt
steve albini likes it
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 316
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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that's right chaps,always remember to keep yer tip wet and clean.......
cheers
matthew
www.allairestudios.com
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If it's not distorted,what's the point?? |
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b3groover
deaf.
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Posts: 1973
Location: michigan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| eeldip wrote: | | that is what i ended up doing. i just like the speed the thick stuff gave me. |
Doing things quickly usually means doing them wrong. |
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soundguy
ghost haunting audio students
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 3182
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| b3groover wrote: | | Doing things quickly usually means doing them wrong. |
unless you are in the ramones.
dave
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one hundred percent discrete transistor recording with style and care. |
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Scodiddly
ghost haunting audio students
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Posts: 3160
Location: Libertyville, IL, USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 11:03 pm Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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Homer: There are three ways to do something: The right
way, the wrong way, and the Max Power way.
Bart: Isn't that the wrong way?
Homer: Yes, but it's FASTER! |
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SlabOLab
gettin' sounds
Joined: 22 Oct 2003
Posts: 105
Location: E. Bay
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:52 am Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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| I just can't get a good join happening between xlr contacts and thin transformer leads, no matter how many times I re-do them.... no problem stuffing boards or making cable, but these particular joins are kicking my ass - any idea why? |
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Recman
audio school graduate
Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 18
Location: PDX
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 2:43 am Post subject: Re: cold solder joints |
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Hello:
Those transformer leads have a thin coating of lacquer. Are you scraping it off (exacto or razor blade) before you solder?
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Recman
Studio 84
If it's too loud - you're too old
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