[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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