Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Using the soldering iron other day no problem let it heat up soldered no problem last night used it couldnt solder properly think the iron not getting hot enough solder was hitting iron then beading into little balls , anyone any ideas of problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Is it a solder you have used before? That could also be a lack of flux problem, the fact you have melted it into smaller balls suggests there is heat there, whether it's enough or not I don't know. But it sounds like it isn't flowing properly. Maybe try another solder, if that doesn't work, then it it could be the iron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 I used flux , I will try some different solder see if that does the trick I got it from maplins ?? 16 minutes ago, BAZ said: Is it a solder you have used before? That could also be a lack of flux problem, the fact you have melted it into smaller balls suggests there is heat there, whether it's enough or not I don't know. But it sounds like it isn't flowing properly. Maybe try another solder, if that doesn't work, then it it could be the iron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 Seeing as RS are in town what would be a good solder to choose https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/c/tools/soldering-desoldering-tools/solders/?cm_mmc=UK-PPC-DS3A-_-google-_-8_UK_EN_G_Tools_Exact_DDA_AlwaysON_LocationA-_-Solders-_-good+quality+solder&matchtype=e&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2anege2Q2gIVr7vtCh3SCAa2EAAYASAAEgJJ-_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 What are you soldering? I was assuming this was something electrical, in which case you should use a pre-fluxed muliticore solder, that is the flux is already in the solder. But it sounds like you are trying to do something either bigger or more metalwork based. Then it becomes a whole different ball game. It depends on what metals you are trying to solder, some won't even take solder and sometimes different fluxes have to be used. It might also be that the material is acting as a heatsink and taking all the heat out of the area, which would explain the balling effect on the surface. Let us know what you are after doing. Crossed posts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Seconded. Need to know what you are trying to solder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 I was soldering a jack socket , my mates given me some good quality solder flux inside stuff , he solders small electronics at work certainly looks better than what I had , also don’t use the flux (copper pipe stuff ) so will retry over the weekend with a clearer head , maybe the flux and cheapo solder don’t mix , every days a school day all a learning curve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 More than likely lack of flux, I use a separate flux in addition to the solder even if it has flux in it, or the soldering bit needs a wipe/ clean... sure you will sort it! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 19 minutes ago, Smithysteve said: More than likely lack of flux, I use a separate flux in addition to the solder even if it has flux in it, or the soldering bit needs a wipe/ clean... sure you will sort it! ? Yes iron my need a clean I’m sure it’s a school boy error Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 Hmm managed to get what I need done not convinced the iron works properly I’m going to get my mate to have a look at it and see what he thinks , I’m assuming once iron is at temp you wouldn’t have to hold solder on it for ages would you? BAZ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 No If it up to temperature it should be near enough instantaneous for the solder to melt. +RonC and Bottletopburly 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 22 minutes ago, Graham said: No If it up to temperature it should be near enough instantaneous for the solder to melt. Then there's definitely a problem graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Usually beads happen when the Iron is too hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 5 hours ago, andyboy1970 said: Usually beads happen when the Iron is too hot. Good to know Andy , read some more reviews on screwfix and getting too hot seems to be the problem, so people’s iron tip broke off or bent so it’s going back today and change for another make they have started selling a CK one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Ordered this one hopefully this will be ok https://www.mytoolshed.co.uk/weller-sp40nk-soldering-iron-with-led-light-40-watt-240v-kit.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgOenhZWU2gIV6J3tCh2JwgSiEAQYAiABEgKQy_D_BwE took the othe one back to screwfix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted April 4, 2018 Author Share Posted April 4, 2018 New soldering iron came what’s the better tip to use the one that’s installed looks quite big @Graham oh and led lights too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 Depends on what you are soldering. The bigger the job the bigger the tip needed. For circuit stuff I would use the small round one. Bottletopburly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted April 4, 2018 Author Share Posted April 4, 2018 32 minutes ago, Graham said: Depends on what you are soldering. The bigger the job the bigger the tip needed. For circuit stuff I would use the small round one. cheers graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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