need help soldering (Updated!)

[tom314]

Thanks for the quick reply. It's definately hot enough to melt my wire solder, but for some reason the solder in the motherboard won't melt for me. I held the iron on one of the leads for several minutes but still no luck. I made sure to tin my iron too.

 

[ElFenix]

holy chit 15 watts get a better iron!

 

[Eli]

Minutes? :Q

It should liquefy in just a few seconds.. You can see when it does it usually.

Dunno..

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
holy chit 15 watts get a better iron!

15W should be plenty for what he's doing.. Higher and he risks tearing pads and other nasty stuff.

If he can melt the wire solder, it shouldnt have any problem with the bead of solder holding a cap lead in....

 

[tom314]

What do you mean by tearing pads? Also for tinning, I have just been applying a little bit of solder on the tip and wiping it with a wet sponge. Is that the correct method?

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
OMG.. none of you guys told the man to make sure he's using FLUX.


Dude, use flux when you solder. It's the right way and it's the only way things will stick. Flux is like soldering glue - you put some on each part getting soldered together. Melt a little solder on the tip of your iron, touch the spot with flux, and boom - it will fuse perfectly. Flux smokes a little so I dunno if you were already using it. It is impossible to get things to fuse right without using flux. USE FLUX. For some reason, dumb people like to try their hand at soldering without it.

I have been a certified 2M tech for over 8 years. The only time I ever remember using flux is when I took my test!

Do your self a favor and get a Weller IRON.

They sell one @ home depot for about 15 bucks. It is a great little iron. I have used mine on things much more sensitive than PC Motherboards. Radio Shack's little solder sucker is pretty nice though and I use one. If you are new to soldering I would avoid using wicking. If there is clearance You can cut off the caps and then heat the posts and pull them with tweezers and then FILL THE HOLE with solder. Then Use the sucker to get the solder out. This will leave a nice clean tinned anchor to mount your new caps.

Good luck and welcome to the world of calused fingers!