Soldering Quick‑Start Guide

A fast, confidence‑building introduction to safe and effective soldering at Loveland CreatorSpace.

1. What You’ll Use

• Soldering iron

• Solder (lead‑free or leaded depending on lab policy)

• Flux

• Solder wick

• Solder sucker

• Tweezers

• Heat‑resistant mat

• Safety glasses

• Ventilation/fume extraction

• Shrink tubing + heat gun (optional)

2. Safety First

• Wear safety glasses — clipped leads can fly.

• Treat the soldering iron as always hot.

• Keep the iron in its stand when not in use.

• Use fume extraction or work in a ventilated area.

• Wash hands after handling solder or flux.

• Keep your workspace clean and free of loose wires.

3. Power On & Prep

1. Turn on the soldering station.

2. Set temperature to 650–700°F (343–371°C) for most work.

3. Let the iron heat for 1–2 minutes.

4. Melt a tiny bit of solder on the tip — this is tinning, and it improves heat transfer.

5. Wipe the tip on the damp sponge or brass wool.

4. The Basic Technique (The “Heat → Feed → Remove” Method)

This is the core of good soldering.

Step 1 — Heat the Joint

Place the iron tip so it touches both the component lead and the pad.

Count: one‑one‑thousand, two‑one‑thousand…

Step 2 — Feed the Solder

Touch solder to the joint — not the iron tip.

The solder should melt and flow around the lead and pad.

Step 3 — Remove Solder, Then Iron

Remove the solder first, then lift the iron away.

Let the joint cool naturally.

5. What a Good Joint Looks Like

A proper solder joint should be:

• Shiny

• Smooth

• Cone‑shaped

• Covering both pad and lead

• Not a blob, not a ball, not dull or cracked

If it looks like a Hershey’s Kiss, you nailed it.

6. Common Problems & Fixes

Cold Joint (dull, cracked, blob-like)

Cause: Not enough heat.

Fix: Reheat the joint and add a tiny bit of fresh solder.

Solder Bridge (two pads accidentally connected)

Fix: Use solder wick or a solder sucker to remove excess.

Component Won’t Wet with Solder

Cause: Dirty surfaces.

Fix: Add flux and try again.

Pad Lifts Off the Board

Cause: Too much heat or pressure.

Fix: Lower temperature, be gentler, and avoid prolonged heating.

7. Removing Solder

Solder Wick

1. Place wick on the joint.

2. Press iron onto the wick.

3. Solder flows into the braid.

4. Remove wick and iron together.

Solder Sucker

1. Heat the joint.

2. Trigger the sucker to pull molten solder away.

3. Clean up with wick if needed.

8. Heat‑Shrink Tubing (Optional but Pro-Level)

1. Slide tubing over the wire before soldering.

2. Solder the connection.

3. Slide tubing over the joint.

4. Use heat gun until it shrinks snugly.

9. Cleanup

• Turn off the soldering station.

• Clean the tip and leave it tinned.

• Put tools back in their bins.

• Throw away clipped leads and scraps.

• Leave the bench clean for the next member.

10. Need Help?

Ask in #electronics or talk to the Electronics Area Lead..

Members are always happy to help beginners learn proper technique.