Modular Synth Panels

For people using an iron like this, wiring a cheap lamp dimmer in series can
do a lot to extend your tip life.

Try out different settings and then calibrate with a Sharpie or a piece of
duct tape.

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sduck409
> Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 7:52 PM
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: on soldering
> 
> 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?
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
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