Soldering Technique

18watt-specific Tech Talk - Building, Fixing, Parts, Mods...

Moderators: CurtissRobin, colossal, zaphod_phil, Daviedawg, Graydon

Locked
User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3955
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Soldering Technique

Post by JMPGuitars »

9 times out of 10, problems with amp projects are due to solder technique or lead dress.

Here's some tips to improve your solder technique:

Whenever possible, you want a mechanical connection in addition to the solder joint's intermetallic bond. This looks different depending on the type of solder joint.

For a solder lug, bend the lead around the lug so that it can hold itself in place before you solder.

On a turret, make a J shaped hook. If connecting more than one wire to the turret, the standard is to keep the J hooks facing the same direction.

Solder joints should be shiny, and you should usually be able to see the shape of the wire in the joint.

Here's a great (ancient) video showing good solder technique with turrets:
https://youtu.be/Mrhg5A1a1mU

Here's some more with other terminal types:

Cup terminals: https://youtu.be/_GLeCt_u3U8

Bifurcated Terminals: https://youtu.be/hvTiql-ED4A

Hook Terminals: https://youtu.be/sN3V8hMiUb4

Component Soldering: https://youtu.be/AY5M-lGxvzo

If you have too much free time, here's a playlist of their videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837

Don't forget to turn off the projector when you're done.

Thanks,
Josh

Edit: Here's a video I made soldering a couple turrets to a PCB I designed: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu_GB9_A2CC/
8 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

AussieTim
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 92
Joined: Tue 09/18/18 2:34 am

Re: Soldering Technique

Post by AussieTim »

I have seen quite a few turrets soldered by inserting the wire into the hollow turret and soldering into position is this a preferable method or is hooking the solder around the outside of the turret a better method. I am thinking that the hook style would probably be better for removal in order to experiment with different values of components eg capacitors & resistors and the insert would be better for wires etc that won,t be moved once soldered in place. Any thoughts?
1 x

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3955
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Soldering Technique

Post by JMPGuitars »

AussieTim wrote:
Fri 07/26/19 8:10 am
I have seen quite a few turrets soldered by inserting the wire into the hollow turret and soldering into position is this a preferable method or is hooking the solder around the outside of the turret a better method. I am thinking that the hook style would probably be better for removal in order to experiment with different values of components eg capacitors & resistors and the insert would be better for wires etc that won,t be moved once soldered in place. Any thoughts?
Both methods are fine (assuming adequate soldering skill), but wrapping on the outside gives a more reliable mechanical connection. If something overheats, it could slip out of the top if the connection isn't great. With the wrapping method, even if the solder overheats, the connection should stay intact.

Nowadays I only use the top hole if I run out of room. I use Keystone 1509-4 Tubular Double Turrets, so I generally have plenty of room in most positions.

Being as stubborn as I am, I would generally stick to the outside even when experimenting, in case the result is as desired. However, if you're going for temporary and easy, you could lightly solder to the top hole, without even necessarily inserting the leads into the hole. As long as it's only temporary to test values, it's ok to forgo the mechanical connection until you're ready to make it permanent...just make sure your solder technique is on point.

Thanks,
Josh
2 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

Locked