Soldering Iron Basics with SparkFun

This is a how-to-solder video for the beginner electronics enthusiast! We start with the basics of setting up your soldering station and guide you through the process of soldering your first components!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• How To Solder
• Soldering
• SparkFun
• Learn
• DIY
• do
• it
• yourself
• D-I-Y

[Tda7000]

Not sure how big the pad is he was soldering onto but it looks like either there was too much solder or the pad was dirty\not hot enough.

And yes, the iron was left on the joint far too long, as you can see from the melted connector.

Not really a good video to show first-time solderers at all in my opinion.

[MystBoy666]

@Geekv2

yeah i know but if someone buys this solder iron and watches this video it's not good to make kistakes in the first video someone sees about soldering...

[gmillerd]

@MystBoy666

unreadable.

[linagee]

@Twistx77: He was showing what not to do. I think it was a parody. :-)

[Geekv2]

@MystBoy666 You DO realize he's doing a demo video and is going slower than he's describing, right? I know it's not ideal for demo-ing, but this a baby-steps intro.

[sneakerset]

That's an excellent work station for a novice assembler. It's really a good idea to add some (canned spray) circuit chiller to the bench....but, in a pinch,a satisfactory substitute is canned air. The idea is to cool the soldered connection(as fast as possible) to avoid subjecting the component to thermal heat stress. Parts catalogs generally list the component assembly times and temps....thanks for the video.

[MystBoy666]

FAIL!!!

When you solder you heat it up way to long and aplay too much preasure the plastic of the pins is even melting!!!

[krisguy787]

One of the first soldering projects I recommend to try is making your own soldering ventilation fan by using a computer fan, switches, and a DC transformer. Great way to practice, and you are making something you will need to continue on in this hobby.

[BlackJester149]

While you probably won't get cancer from the fumes created by soldering a few components onto a PCB, long-term exposure can lead to lung problems such as asthma. Try to avoid directly breathing it in, and work in a well ventilated area (i.e. not in your closet). Otherwise, you'll be fine.

[mitpatterson]

i would put a annotation in there mentioning that the fumes are NOT LEAD, but are still not good to breath. I think what you were trying to say is it wasn't lead(as some begineers may think) but i wouldn't sit there all day and breatth those fumes(you said they were not dangerous, do YOU wanta breath those all day?) i don't. Not a bad video, but your joint looked cold as well, it didn't "cling" to the joint, and as others have said, you melted the plastic on the pin.