[Elecraft] Solder....again.....

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Ron:

>I just read the solder tutorial. Am I to understand that we are not 
>allowed to use gold for solder? After all... with the excellence being 
>obtained by elecraft... and my "Better than the Average Bear" construction 
>techniques... I think it's obviously a good choice! VBG

Heheheh... good one!  KEEP THAT MICRO TORCH AWAY FROM THE PC BOARDS... OK?

>Besides...elecraft deserves as good as the Nakamichi Dragon...
>
>And no, I won't send it in for service so you can desolder everything and 
>keep the gold.
>
>Seriously... Please forgive me for being away from electronics since... 
>too long... Are we not using heat sinks when soldering components now?

In 'normal' soldering operations, clip-on heatsinks are not required at 
all. A properly set (temperature-wise) iron should permit you to heat the 
joint for 2 seconds, apply solder and let it cook for 1-2 seconds more and 
the to get out cleanly and without ANY damage whatsoever to the component.

Take particular note of the comments regarding soldering to plated-thru 
holes, and that it is no longer required that solder fillets appear on 
either side of the board. If the hole is filles, and if it's been heated 
long enough that the solder has well adhered to the component lead, you're 
ready to proceed to the next component lead.

>It has been agreed that the temperature controlled iron is all that is 
>needed?

It is agreed that you'll generally have better and more repeatable 'good' 
soldered connections if a temp-controlled soldering iron/station is used. 
this is mainly because the T/C irons know when more heat is needed and they 
can supply it AS required rather than overheating the tip and allowing it 
to cool off as the soldering operation progresses.

73,

Tom Hammond    N0SS