Modular Synth Panels

I seriously doubt that my techniques are optimal, but they generate great results. One day 
perhaps I will be able to buy a soldering "station", but in the meantime I'm using a weller 
WP35 iron, with the ST1 tips (which are cleverly designed to last a long time but not as 
long as one would like, but are available cheaply at digikey). I use the kester 331 for most 
stuff, just washed with hot water and an old toothbrush. Kester 245 for anything thats not 
washable. 

I used a rat shack 25 watt iron for the first 2 years I was building. The only real problem 
with it was that the tips that fit it only lasted 8-12 hours on-time. The weller tips last 
considerably longer. 

Solder from the back (non-component) side, leads clipped after soldering - no need to get 
too anal about all this. Works. 5 years, and all modules constructed this way working 
perfectly - never had a problem with a bad solder. 


--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <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?
>