Soldering?

[Cassie]

Hey guys,
I was watching a chinese manufacturer vid the other night about rebuilding giant clearomizers and I noticed when he was soldering the wires he didn't use a coil of solder. That seems to be one of my problems when soldering, having to hold the solder and the iron and the 2 parts I want soldered all at once. LOL I got one of those little stations with the alligator clips on it but yeah, not so great.
Anyway, this guy wasn't using a coil of solder. He was just touching the iron to the wire while holding it to the post and it got me wondering what he was doing behind the camera to eliminate the use of that solder.

What I was able to find is some stuff called soldering paste (not flux). Can anyone tell me if this stuff is something that replaces the coils of solder? Is the iron dipped in the jar or something? It sure looks like that would be the way to go when you don't have enough hands. It was just quick easy soldering.

I would love to try this if this is the case. Is there a special iron? Special wattage or tips? Specific temp of iron?

Anyone? LOL Thanks!

 

[P1NkY]

Post a link to the vid and I'll tell ya how they did it.

My guess would be he/she pre-fluxed the wire and post with liquid flux (or solder paste), then brought the tinned iron to the connection to create the joint. This method is usually employed in surface mount soldering, where not much solder is needed for a good joint, but I guess could be used in other situations in a pinch.

That being said, it is not the "accepted" method of heating the joint first, then applying solder to the joint.

ETA: You could use solder paste instead of wire, but you'd still have to apply it to a clean mechanical joint and heat it enough to melt it thoroughly, but not too much or it'll burn away all the flux in it and oxidize, creating a cold solder joint. A dab of liquid flux on a cold joint like that followed by a touch from the iron can reflow the solder enough to salvage it, however. I'd stick to practicing my three-handed wire soldering technique, lol!

 

[Cassie]

Well dangit I can't seem to access it now but the URL for it is http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzAwNDIzNjg4.html Wish I could read Chinese so I knew what the issue is with the vid.

 

[Str8V8ping]

You can use solder paste . I use it all the time for reflowing surface mount componants . Just put a little paste on and touch it with the iron . Actually you can get a pretty decent paste at dealextreme . Look for lodestar solder paste in white/yellow bottle . The third had tool works great if you mount it to a desk . There is a vice cleamp version with suction cup i like to use from harbor freight as well .

 

[Cassie]

So I wouldn't dip the tip of the hot iron in the paste then touch to item to be soldered? Would that work too?

 

[Str8V8ping]

So I wouldn't dip the tip of the hot iron in the paste then touch to item to be soldered? Would that work too?

No that will not work . You have to put the paste onto the part then touch the part and the solder liquifies and turns solid . Dipping the tip in will just make a mess and cold joint when you solder the part .

 

[CraigHB]

Actually you can get a pretty decent paste at dealextreme.

Is this the stuff? There's also this one. I've been tempted to buy it before. It's incredibly inexpensive. Wonder if you get what you pay for. Name brand paste such as Kester or Multi-Core costs like 10 times more.

 

[Str8V8ping]

It is this one .This is actually pretty good quality paste . Make sure to store it in the freezer so it doesnt go bad

LodeStar Soldering Paste (50g) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Theres enough there to last you a year or two if stored right before it hardens up

 

[Cassie]

I'm thinkin I might have to get some of that =)

 

[Str8V8ping]

I'm thinkin I might have to get some of that =)

If you were able to keep it from going bad after opening the seal it would last you a lifetime .

 

[bstedh]

To the OP, just pre tin the two parts by flowing solder onto each part and then bring them together and connect them with a quick touch of the iron. No need for special solder or tricks.

Sent from my NOOK Color running Android

 

[Str8V8ping]

To the OP, just pre tin the two parts by flowing solder onto each part and then bring them together and connect them with a quick touch of the iron. No need for special solder or tricks.

Sent from my NOOK Color running Android

+1 . Pre-tinning parts does make it easy to do .Its rare that you would even need the third hand tool . Theres always a way to set it up so all you will need is two hands . Solder paste really shouldnt be needed at all on ecig mods unless your making your own pcbs and reflow soldering DFM or smaller components .

 

[CraigHB]

I usually pre-tin when soldering wires. It does make a world of difference in the ease of soldering. For PCB components, I rarely pre-tin. PCB traces are normally tinned already and the materials used on component leads/contacts generally wet with solder easily. I'm actually going to attempt reflow soldering on PCB stuff for the first time. Although it gets the job done, I've been stuck in a hand soldering rut. It comes from starting out with this stuff in the days when hand soldering was the only method. It's a slow way to assemble things. I've been putting together the stuff I need. Still haven't decided on the solder paste, expensive name brand 62/36/2 or the cheap 63/37 stuff from China.

 

[Iusedtoanalog]

Hi Cassie, bstedh is correct, I solder ALL freaking day.... tinning your two joints before assembly is the better way to go when you have small parts(like ecigs) to assemble. I have found that tinning your two joints is also incredibly reliable. As long as you apply sufficent heat when assembly is done it will flow togother without issue. Good Luck. Happy Vaping.

 

[Str8V8ping]

Yes pre tinning usually prevents a cold joint too . When soldering wires together always use a western union splice then solder . A western union is when you wrap one wire one way and the other wire the other way . It makes a strong joint which wont come apart even you werent to solder it . Always solder and shrink tube it too though .

 

[CraigHB]

Heat shrink tubing is an amazing product. I would never be able to make anything without it. I just picked up some 3:1 stuff and it's awesome.