mckendrick Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I've never soldered up any electrics on an instrument before.... no, honest! Tho' I am aware of the technique through tinplate soldering and white metal and brass modelmaking. I've got a few old pots and stuff to practise on.... so my question is: What type of solder and what power iron should I be looking at for pick-up and pot wiring...? Any personal faves among DIY'ers and pro repairers? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 60/40 Lead/Tin solder is still favourite - the lead free stuff works but it's not fantastic. As for a soldering iron, you want something with a chisel tip and 25W. Don't forget - you'll need to give the pot casing a quick rub with some sandpaper where you are going to solder - they're generally coated with laquer. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I totally agree with the above. especially the 60/40 solder. It is a lot easier to use than the 99% tin stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 +1 for a chisel tip and the 60/40. Get an Antex iron ...I've had mine for 10+ years with no issues and they are pretty cheap. I've got an 18w which I find perfect. Avoid irons with a pointed tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 ... Forgot to say you will also want to buy yourself a stand with a sponge and a sucker thingy for sucking up excess solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1330411272' post='1556893'] I totally agree with the above. especially the 60/40 solder. It is a lot easier to use than the 99% tin stuff. [/quote] Yep, same here. I was using some Maplins 99% stuff and not getting good results, went to a local hardware shop and got some 60/40 and never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1330430226' post='1557244'] theres a thread I started not too far away where I asked pretty much the same questions. Follow it and you will be on the road top enlightenment. [/quote] ....and within that there's my thread lol. Lots of great info, mostly from Mr icastle IIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) Thanks so much, chaps.... I got all the peripheral gadgetry... stands, sponges, and stuff. Does the 60/40 come pre fluxed? I'm used to using seperate acid fluxes with the brasswork. . Edited February 28, 2012 by mckendrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1330433352' post='1557322'] Thanks so much, chaps.... I got all the peripheral gadgetry... stands, sponges, and stuff. Does the 60/40 come pre fluxed? I'm used to using seperate acid fluxes with the brasswork.. [/quote] Yep. No need for any other flux, it's already in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1330430394' post='1557251'] ....and within that there's my thread lol. Lots of great info, mostly from Mr icastle IIR. [/quote] I just need to find a Soldering Forum where I can talk music now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have a little Antex 18W iron that does the job ok, some bigger stubborn pots are easier to earth onto with a 25W iron and a larger tip. I have a selection of different sized tips to slot onto the iron so it can do biger stuff as well as fiddly electronics for stompboxes. The irons are about £16 and 3 tips for £10, should be good for a year or three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='Al Heeley' timestamp='1330447935' post='1557664'] I have a little Antex 18W iron that does the job ok, some bigger stubborn pots are easier to earth onto with a 25W iron and a larger tip. I have a selection of different sized tips to slot onto the iron so it can do biger stuff as well as fiddly electronics for stompboxes. The irons are about £16 and 3 tips for £10, should be good for a year or three. [/quote] I'm still using my Antex iron that I bought 20 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Excellent stuff, chaps. Sourced me gear, ordered it. I sense much bodging on the horizon. Thanks muchly. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 This thread has been really helpful. I'm just about to start some electric's for a Jazz Bass I'm building. Got the soldering iron etc, is there a particular thickness of solder that works best? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 [quote name='Dolando' timestamp='1330650346' post='1561136'] This thread has been really helpful. I'm just about to start some electric's for a Jazz Bass I'm building. Got the soldering iron etc, is there a particular thickness of solder that works best? [/quote] I'd go for the 'bog standard' 18SWG (that's about 1.2mm in modern speak) type for general soldering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 As i was reading that i was hoping you weren't just leaving me with 18SWG....haha. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 [quote name='Dolando' timestamp='1330651474' post='1561146'] As i was reading that i was hoping you weren't just leaving me with 18SWG....haha. Thank you. [/quote] As if I'd be that mean... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Calling all new solderers! Have a read through [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/110170-dull-solder-joint-why/page__hl__soldering%20pots"]this[/url] thread before you start - there's loads of useful tips and advice in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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