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Slosh the flux around and flux the solder. make sure it all gets hot enough, if the solder isn’t melting at all you simply are not getting enough heat.
Why can’t I get solder to melt?
Try to apply the solder wire to the joint first then introduce the hot tip for just long enough to see the tinned copper track melt the wire – not the iron itself. If the points to be soldered aren’t hot enough (briefly) you will probably get a “dry” joint which is less than bright to the eye.
Why is my hard solder not flowing?
Heat is the number one reason that solder flows. Without it, you’ll unsuccessfully try to solder a piece for a very long time. As you heat your piece up, that steel item is pulling that heat away just as quickly. So basically, you’ll never get it hot enough for the solder to flow.
Why is my soldering not working?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
What happens if you solder too hot?
Overheated solder joints can result from the soldering iron temperature being set too high, or result from solder failing to flow, possibly due to the surface of the pad or lead already having a layer of oxide, preventing sufficient heat transfer and therefore leaving you heating the joint for too long.
How long does it take to melt solder?
Keep the soldering iron in the stand and connect it to Mains and let it heat. It takes around 2–3 minutes to heat it properly.
Why is my soldering iron not hot?
If your soldering iron isn’t producing any heat, it is likely because of a break in the electrical circuit, resulting from either a faulty connection in the iron or heating element failure. If all electrical connections were good but you registered no continuity, your heating element will need to be replaced.
Why is my solder not sticking to my wire?
Most likely the copper wires are not clean enough or not hot enough. Mechanically clean the wires by abrasion. Chemically clean the wires using alcohol or other solvent. Use a flux compound or flux-cored solder.
Why does my solder ball up?
When soldering silver and using hard or soft solder, I often find the solder balls up – it just refuses to jump no matter how long it’s under the flame. This is because the flux has burnt out and there is no medium through which the solder will jump (or run as some would say).
Can you’re melt solder?
Prime your iron by putting a dab of new solder on the tip. With the solder on the tip put it on the old solder and it should liquify.
What can I use to melt solder?
You can use anything that is able to heat a piece of metal up to the melting point of your solder (between 400°F / 200°C and 700°F / 370°C). Butane lighters work the best. But you can also use candles, oil lamps, alcohol burners, or even open camp fires.
How do you get solder to flow up?
If the coupling/pipe is hot enough for the solder to melt, capillary action will suck the solder up between the coupling and pipe. Apply solder all around the bottom seam. Solder around the coupling’s higher seam in the same way. Use a rag to carefully wipe away all solder drips and flux from the joint.
Does solder flux go off?
Flux is not like milk that expires. If it is still a liquid that isn’t gummy it should be fine. Do a test solder or two. You will know if it is good by how the solder flows out when molten and how it hardens up as it cools.
How do you make solder flow?
Heating The Metal. The next important information on heat is that, in order for the solder to flow, you must heat the metal on both sides of the join, up to solder flow temperature. If you heat one side more than the other, the solder will flow to the “hot side”.
How many times can you melt solder?
It has been our experience that 3 temperature excursions is the accepted limit (by most companies that I work).
Should you use flux when soldering?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. The flux also protects the metal surfaces from re-oxidation during soldering and helps the soldering process by altering the surface tension of the molten solder.
How do you know if your soldering iron is hot enough?
There should be a slight ‘hiss’ when you do this; if there is no hiss the iron is not hot enough. The iron is ready when solder from the roll melts immediately upon contact with the tip and lingers there, bright and shiny.
How do you solder without overheating?
These are my advices: Make sure that the surfaces are clean. If the surfaces which you want to solder each other are dirty, the solder won’t fold them up. Use a high quality solder. Work in optimum temperature. Try to be as fast as possible, don’t exceed maximum soldering time. Make the holes small.
Can a soldering iron start a fire?
Heat The intense heat of the soldering iron tip can cause burns. Fire The heat generated by the soldering iron is enough to start a fire. Soldering should never occur in the immediate vicinity of flammable gases or liquids.
