I'm fairly new to electronics and am having some issues with soldering and could do with some advice:
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from what I have read the solder shouldn't directly touch the soldering iron when solding the component. However, I find the component I.e. a diode, gets incredibly hot before the solder has melted and I'm worries this will damage the component.
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the solder won't stick to the circuit board material (I'm using a brown board which has lots of holes already in place (I'm sorry I don't know what it's called) the other issue with this is the board also looks like it starts to melt or discolour a bit when I'm soldering.
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the soldering iron I'm using is a kit from Maplin, it is 40w and includes a lead free solder.
I also have a 12w iron which appears to be useless.
- I seem to get a big blob of solder off which just bonds the wires together and doesn't bind to the board!
Any advice, tips or tricks or if you could signpost me to a video etc about how to best get started is me most greatful as I'm really struggling to get off the ground and it's very disheartening.
Many thanks,
James
Best Answer
With lead free solder it is more common than not that you will need to add additional flux. That's especially true for a board or components that have the surface tarnished at all.
Solder only touching the component made more sense in the era of through hole parts and leaded components - in many other situations today such as fine pitch surface mount it does not apply as strictly, or perhaps at all. You may also find that even in the through hole situation, solder on the iron can increase the heat transfer by filling the space between the iron tip shape and the lead / board.