The Artful Solderer (book) - solderbuddy

[MitchJi]

Hi,

This might help some of us:
http://www.solderbuddy.com/art_solder.htm

The Artful SoldererTM by Lee Tingler is an extensive guide to soldering and soldering technique relevant to anyone from circuit designer to audiophile.

http://www.solderbuddy.com/book.htm

Solder or Bubble Gum?

Both can hold a connection together. Solder is generally more accepted. Whichever you use, proper technique is a must.

1. Wipe the tip on a damp sponge to remove any crud. Do this as you bring the soldering iron from its holder to the connection.
2. Heat the entire connection, not just the wire. Use the flat of the tip held against the connection to maximize the surface area of the portion of the tip that heats the connection. Doing this helps avoid cold solder joints as well as quickly raising the temperature of the connection to proper soldering temperature.
3. As the tip contacts the work, insert the solder between the tip and the connection and allow a small quantity to melt on the tip and the connection. Remove the solder. Doing this speeds up the transfer of heat from the tip to the connection.
4. As soon as the initially applied solder melts, feed enough additional solder into the solder joint to make the final connection. Apply only enough solder to fill the hole in the cut, post, terminal, or circuit board pad. There should be enough solder to cover the connection while still showing some of the contours of the connection.
5. Do no disturb (move) the connection while it cools. If the finished connection has a grainy or frosty look, most likely you disturbed the wire as the solder cooled. Reheat the connection and let it cool undisturbed.
6. Use the second 1 - 2 - 3 method. ONE - Apply heat to the work surface. Use a small amount of solder to facilitate this process. TWO - Apply the solder to the surface of the work to complete the connection. THREE - Let the connection cool without moving the wire or part.

Probably wouldn't spend the money on this but a DIY version should be pretty easy to make:
http://www.solderbuddy.com/hobbyist.htm

In keeping with the SolderBuddy® tradition of small toolbox soldering aids, Tingler Innovations is introducing one of its newest products, The SolderBuddy® Hobbyist RCTM. With the help of local hobbyists in the area we have what we think is a real winner and a truly exciting new product.

This handy tool holds all of the most popular connectors used by RC hobbyists. They include the Deans connectors, the 3.5mm bullet, Molex, 2mm, Servo, 5.5mm Power connector and many more with a convenient and stable platform for holding and soldering your connectors and other parts for your projects. No more burnt fingers or melted parts.

But wait... The Hobbyist is two products in one! The Hobbyist also includes the VersaVice. This little vice has a jaw opening width of over 1.5” for most of your needs and finally, borrowed from the original SolderBuddy ACS Post and Clip system, but for the NEW Hobbyist RC, the post has been made flexible so you can get really close to those tiny connectors.

 

[TylerDurden]

Brilliant use of scrap oak. Not crazy about the design from a manufacturing standpoint, but Lee should make a few bucks at the holidays.

 

[ngocthach1130]

Oh man, you don't know how many time that little clip would have came in handy. It's very hard to hold soldering iron in right hand, solder on the left, parts with left foot and wires on the right one.

 

[Julez]

http://www.grstools.com/solder_station.html#thirdhand

http://www.progresstool.com

http://www.septools.com/catalog/pro...d/543?osCsid=d85203326c4e88cc9153d219c4d38fbd

I have the double handed and the single handed device, both as long arm versions.

You cannot imagine how much easier these things make life when soldering.
One of the best tools I have.

 

[Link]

That looks like it beats the crap out of the $3 one I have. But the price...

Think I'll stick to alligator clips and solid copper wire stuck into a block of wood for now. :wink:

 

[TylerDurden]

not a solderbuddy, but only 5 bucks and friggin huge:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97589

 

[MitchJi]

Hi Tyler,

Good find (great price!).

Thanks!

Mitch

 

[SolderMeister]

Hello everyone.
I have just found this site pretty cool. I am familiar with the SolderBuddy products and I know some would say well I can make that myself. maybe. but if you notice there is a lot of precision work that goes into their products. They are well thought out and many questions were asked before making them.

Lee has contacts with all the major connector manufactures and has been at this for over a decade. He enjoys trying to build what is needed for the various fields. and I think he will enjoy hearing that many of you like his products. For example the new Hobbyist RC he stood for over an hr. with hobbyist learning about their desires. and Hopes for a product for the RC market. well you see it here. Oh the wood used is European Beech. If you visit http://www.solderbuddy.com you will see each product has its own wood type.
I think its cool. Hey has anyone seen the new VersaVice It's pretty neat.
Well nice to be here.

 

[swbluto]

not a solderbuddy, but only 5 bucks and friggin huge:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97589

That's functionally identical to the one I got from Radio shack. It's worked great so far for the soldered connections I've made. The only weakness was it seemed the alligator clips weren't screwed in the right way the first time as they wobbled around whenever applying pressure to the object, but reversing them cured that issue.

 

[MitchJi]

From a new thread:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8470&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Soldering techniques - best web links.

New postby Lapwing

I want to share the highlights of my online education "How do build a better circuit board. "

The single best websites I have found.

http://curiousinventor.com/guides/How_To_Solder


http://workmanship.nasa.gov/lib/insp/2%20books/frameset.html

Worth watching on u-tube - anything by SolderingGeek e.g.

Tip #25:
[youtube]G14rFgAfwXk[/youtube]

 

[swbluto]

Hello everyone.
I have just found this site pretty cool. I am familiar with the SolderBuddy products and I know some would say well I can make that myself. maybe. but if you notice there is a lot of precision work that goes into their products. They are well thought out and many questions were asked before making them.

Lee has contacts with all the major connector manufactures and has been at this for over a decade. He enjoys trying to build what is needed for the various fields. and I think he will enjoy hearing that many of you like his products. For example the new Hobbyist RC he stood for over an hr. with hobbyist learning about their desires. and Hopes for a product for the RC market. well you see it here. Oh the wood used is European Beech. If you visit http://www.solderbuddy.com you will see each product has its own wood type.
I think its cool. Hey has anyone seen the new VersaVice It's pretty neat.
Well nice to be here.

Lol. First post, a positive review that goes over the many positive points about the product that not many customers would notice and details known about the developer, and I think it seems there's a good probability she/he found this thread by googling the book's title. Now who'd be likely to engage that activity? "Vanity search" come to mind.

 

[j3tch1u]

busted!

 

[rkosiorek]

Oh man, you don't know how many time that little clip would have came in handy. It's very hard to hold soldering iron in right hand, solder on the left, parts with left foot and wires on the right one.

learned this from a pet dog i had once. teeth are much better for holding than feet.

rick

 

[SolderMeister]

Did you know that if you use the VersaVice(TM) you can vice up the SolderBuddy (R) products and use virtually in any position!. Yepper 8) I have tried it now and it gives so much more flexibility to the product.

Oh did any one see the review of the ACS by: James O Neil of TV Technologies mag.?
OK got to scoot.