Modular Synth Panels

Tip temperature is idling temperature, the temperature of the tip in air 
before it's applied to the work.  As soon as you apply the tip, heat 
begins to transfer to the joint and the controlled station will try to 
maintain that.  The idling temperature is chosen for the size of the 
work and 700F is recommended for small PC board work.  You could use 750 
for jacks, etc., that have a larger area, but I normally stick with 700 
for everything.  The objective is to heat the work so that the solder 
flows properly.  I don't see an advantage in using a higher temp.  Jack 
lugs just take a few seconds to heat, and the jack isn't damaged.  Some 
hints and tips:

Keep the tip tinned well.  I tin the tip every time I remove it from the 
holder.
To tin, first clean the tip on the damp sponge, then coat with solder, 
then tap lightly on the tray to shake off excess.
You should apply the tip to the work within a second or two after tinning.
The tip should touch all parts to be soldered at once.
Apply solder to the work, not to the tip, after heating the work.  Let 
the work melt the solder.  It must flow freely.
As soon as the solder flows, remove the tip.  The joint should be shiny 
and have no bubbles.
Use a jig to hold the work in place, if you can.

Don't hesitate to redo a bad joint.  Clean up with solder wick and start 
over.

Kester 331 is water washable, so why use alcohol?  Use an old toothbrush 
and get all the flux off.  You can immerse most PC mounted parts except 
non-sealed trimpots.

As for soldering from the top, I generally avoid it.  It can be done 
when you want to make a repair and don't want to disassemble a module to 
reach the back of the PC board (which is an advantage of the Oakley 
mounting system:  you can always get to the back).

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com


Steve wrote:
> I'm glad people started talking about soldering- its a much
> under-reviewed topic.
>
> >From discussion with Paul Schreiber as well as my own knowledge from
> my checkered soldering past I've come to the following technique:
>
> PCBs: Kester 331 Organic- and washing with Techspray pure Isopropol
> Alcohol
>
> Pots and jacks: Kester 245 No Clean - no cleaning
>
> Soldering Station: Weller WES-51 iron with an ETS 1" conical tip
>
> Temp: 700F
>
> Was it suit and Tie Guy that said he works at 750F?
>
> Anyone else want to suggest optimal technique?
>
> Any opinions on soldering from the TOP of the dual sided PCB vs bottom? 
>
> Dwell time?
>
>