soldering

[bnicely]

It's been a LONG time since I did any soldering.  I was doing fine on the $50 robot until I got to where I needed a 3rd hand for tying in the ground wires!  LOL  I'll step back and do a little practicing

[airman00]

ok

[SmAsH]

well you dont need a 'third hand'. couldnt you just as easily tin the wires and then just mount on top of the connection and melt? im guessing this is for the power buses? i am going to have a go at this one today as well, the only thing i dont have for the $50 board is the atmega chip. (no where here stocks it) anyways good luck with the soldering!

[Razor Concepts]

solder iron = 1 hand
solder = 1 hand
holding wire in to board = 1 hand


total = 3 hands 

I have a third hand tool for things like these, theyre only like $6 and they come in real handy.

[paulstreats]

[unintentional pun]
and they come in real handy.
[/unintentional pun]

Also my secret to holding difficult components and wires in place during soldering is blu tac. It comes straight off aswell..

[pomprocker]

Don't get a third hand, theyre garbage in my opinion and can scratch your pcb and possibly cause a short.

I would get a pcb vise!! (i have the panavise jr, its amazing)

http://www.mouser.com/search/Refine.aspx?N=1766041

[Soeren]

solder iron = 1 hand
solder = 1 hand
holding wire in to board = 1 hand


total = 3 hands 

I have a third hand tool for things like these, theyre only like $6 and they come in real handy.

Let's change the math a bit...

solder iron = 3 fingers
solder = 2 fingers
holding wire in to board = 1..2 finger(s)

That leaves 3..4 fingers for nose picking - and let's face it... You've only got two nostrils, so you better ask a friend over to "help" 

[SmAsH]

yes but soeren, assuming that wasnt sarcasm...how many people do you know that can solder, hold the wire to the board and pick their nose?

[sean22]

To hold components to the board while im soldering i use electrical tape

[SmAsH]

To hold components to the board while im soldering i use electrical tape

i do that in if its in the middle or to hold down header pins. if theyre on the side i use my improvised helping hands.

[Joesavage1]

Blu-tack or electrical tape sounds like a great idea!

[dellagd]

what I do is "two-man soldering".
I do the iron while my dad does the solder and wire.
It works really well

[SmAsH]

what I do is "two-man soldering".
I do the iron while my dad does the solder and wire.
It works really well

that would work well for a family member who trusts you. most people i know dont trust my soldering skills

[Joesavage1]

I Asked my dad, but he dont trust my soldering skills, lol... (mostly cause ive burnt him before  )



Thanks


Joe

[Soeren]

Hi,

yes but soeren, assuming that wasnt sarcasm...how many people do you know that can solder, hold the wire to the board and pick their nose?

"sarcasm" is a strong word for a bit of humour, I'd say.
Well, perhaps don't pick your nose with the hand holding the iron, you might loose an eye 


You could use a similar method to the way it's often done (holding components in place for soldering) in hand assembled circuits in industry:

• Load the components into the PCB
• Place a piece of foam "rubber" over the components, perhaps using elastic bands to hold it.
• Turn PCB upside down an solder (bending and cutting wire ends first).

[Razor Concepts]

Scotch tape works great to hold components in while you're soldering them in.

[Soeren]

Hi,

You actually tape down each component before soldering?
Scotch and 3M must be thrilled