Homebrew_PCBs

 

Hi there,

 

So I am starting work on the first small component of my TVT replica – and I’m having a bit of trouble with soldering.  I’ve soldered a fair bit before, but usually on commercial boards where I had to remove a chip and then replace.  My usual soldering process is to use the tip of the iron to heat the pad and then bring the solder to it.  However that doesn’t seem to work as well with these new boards.. I get more solder than I like and it doesn’t spread out nicely on the pad/contact.  Am I missing a step here somewhere?

 

Brad

 

 

What kind of finish is on your 'new' boards. Is it bare copper?  What kind of solder?  Tin/Lead or lead free?

Sounds like you are not getting adequate 'wetting.'

Lead free solders tend to not be as good at wetting the pad as Tin/Lead.  Tinning the pads or using something like Tinnit can help.  As can the use of a high solids rosin flux. 

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