fatman, glowing cables, etc.

[Bill Layer]

>Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 11:44:53 -0600
>To: fatman-l at tl36.teklab.com
>From: Bill Layer <b.layer at vikingelectronics.com>
>Subject: Re: fatman, glowing cables, etc.
>In-Reply-To: <36433062.BeroList-2.5.8 at tl36.teklab.com>  by
gehenna2.rutgers.edu with SMTP; 6 Nov 1998 17:16:26 -0000
>
>At 12:29 PM 11/6/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Hey YOU crazy nut,
>
>>I'm looking at my Fatman, my first forray into the world of electronic
>>assembly.  Most of the joints are dull, made with the lowest of the low
>>rat shock irons (only hot enough to melt solder during 20% of its
>>thermostat cycle).  I think I could have used better solder too.  I
>>think I'm going to have to build a new one with my nice Weller and some
>>decent solder.  Anybody have any tips on things I can do to salvage the
>>old one?
> 
>Yes. Using a *good* soldering iron (like the Weller WTCP, which nobody
wants to hear me preach about again) and a solder sucker, go over the board
and try to de-solder every joint. This should be easy, but tedious.
>
>Now, using the *good* iron, and some quality solder, go back and "re-flow"
all of the joints. This should be easy, as the joints are already
pre-tinned from the old connecion.
>
>You know how when you melt solder, and it begins to smoke? That smoke is
the flux burning off, and when it stops, the flux is no longer active, and
the solder is perishing in atmospheric oxygen. If the joint isn't still
smoking when you take away your iron, chances are that it is compromised.
Don't worry about xtra flux on the PCB, that comes off later. Either water,
or isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush makes quick work of it.
>
>In these days of flux-core solder (actually, rosin core; flux is acid, and
not for electronics) folks don't understand the critical role that flux
plays in soldering. A lot of people don't even realize that it is required! 
>
>So what kind of solder are you going to use for the re-flow?
>
>
Bill Layer
Sales Technician
<b.layer at vikingelectronics.com>

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