Soldering
05 Feb 2025 · 5 min read
Bad solder joints are a common cause of circuit failures. From tip tinning to temperature control, these habits will improve your soldering results.
Keep the tip clean and tinned. A shiny tinned tip transfers heat faster and prevents oxidation that makes solder ball up instead of flowing.
Use the right temperature for the solder and joint size. Too cold creates dull joints, while too hot can lift pads and burn flux too quickly.
Heat the pad and component lead together, then feed solder into the joint rather than directly onto the iron. The solder should flow around the heated metal.