[Elecraft] Resistor and capacitor installation techniques: trim before or after soldering?

Don Wilhelm donwilh at embarqmail.com
Sun Mar 25 12:18:56 EDT 2018


I agree, the stated NASA "method" does amaze me.
First, the K2 is not likely to go a space journey.

Components with pre-cut leads may require 3 hands.  One to hold the 
component, one to hold the soldering iron and another to hold the solder.
I would assume that NASA directive was for wave-soldering boards and 
does not apply to hand soldering.

I personally have a guideline which says "do not ever trim an unsoldered 
lead" - watch as you trim and go back and solder it.

Of course, I am one who inserts multiple components before soldering.

I have never seen a failed solder connection in my work nor had any 
reports of solder joint failure from those I have built the K2, K1, KX1 
or XVseries transverters.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 3/25/2018 11:33 AM, James F. Boehner MD via Elecraft wrote:
> Jerome,
> 
> Now this is interesting.  This is totally opposite of the way most of us
> were taught to solder.  Among the kits I used to put together were Heathkit
> and Ramsey, both of whom recommended securing the parts in place by
> spreading the leads, soldering, and then cutting the wires close to the
> solder blob, checking for shorts.  I assume that goes for Elecraft also, but
> I have not built any of their radios as kits, so not sure.
> 
> So how did NASA handle the potential difficulties?  Did they have precut
> parts?  Did the tech have to place the part in the board and cut the leads
> first?  If the part was loose, how was it held close to the board, owing to
> the fact that holding the solder and the iron took two hands?  What if the
> lead length was overestimated and potentially could cause a short?  Could
> the wire be cut and the joint reheated, or did the part have to be removed,
> recut and reinserted?
> 


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