Dull Soldering

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:47 am

I know what it is now, when a crack is in the solder.
But the thing is how do you get rid of it, every time i hit solder with my soldering iron its nice and shiny when its molten but dries quite dull looking.
The tip gets cleaned in the solder iron spongue, what am i doing wrong.

lozz · Post by **lozz** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:31 am

FarmerPug wrote:I know what it is now, when a crack is in the solder.
But the thing is how do you get rid of it, every time i hit solder with my soldering iron its nice and shiny when its molten but dries quite dull looking.
The tip gets cleaned in the solder iron spongue, what am i doing wrong.

try a differnt type of solder .

have a read of this

http://www.ami.ac.uk/courses/topics/0170_wsp/index.html

Gary406 · Post by **Gary406** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:17 am

crack = dry joint

just heat the solder iron up and smooth it off. very easy frank .

as loazz said use different solder if that one is drying dull. altho it probably wont make a difference if its shiney or dull

STALLED · Post by **STALLED** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:05 am

Gary406 wrote:
as loazz said use different solder if that one is drying dull. altho it probably wont make a difference if its shiney or dull

+1

But, if you can't see it - who cares?

sirwiggum · Post by **sirwiggum** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:19 am

Unless it affects operation, or you are displaying your PCB, if it works then its fine

Some flux might help to stop the metal contacts getting discoloured.

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:50 am

i just always thought it cant be dull looking for it to work right.
flux then the solder paste, do you just smear it over the joint?

Post by **steve_earwig** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:44 am

Just use flux cored solder, if it's in a bubble across the joint, rather than two islands, it should be fine.

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:11 am

i bought solder today at the hardware shop, leadfree this time, and it makes a nice shiny solder now.

Post by **steve_earwig** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:28 am

That stuff's for soldering pipes together that supply drinking water, it does the job but it melts hotter and you risk damaging circuit boards using it.

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:17 am

no its still standard electrical solder, just lead free. Ive seen plumbers solder its much thicker.

Post by **steve_earwig** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:35 am

Fairy nuff, that's a new one on me. I can't see why they needed to make that, I was using the lead stuff for many years and it never did me any harm. Wibble wobble I'm a lawnmower.

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:51 am

i was taught in school that the gas isnt good for you.

Post by **steve_earwig** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:01 am

It's mainly the fumes from the flux, especially if you have an existing condition such as asthma.

FarmerPug · Post by **FarmerPug** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 5:58 pm

Ah right I've had a fair gulp of solder fumes and never felt anything apart from stinging eyes one day

406oc.co.uk

Dull Soldering

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