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two videos, both from an instructables article, fyi, but there are hundreds more on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZjdiRxr0OM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZjdiRxr0OM
Images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28172221@N08/4107068482/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadya/299936460/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmpalmer/183501808/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_coleman/1349420770/
wine charms ??? http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/437342029/
Soldering is essentially gluing with molten metal. It isn't hard, and mastering the art of soldering opens up a whole new realm of DIY project possibilities.
Perhaps the best part of soldering is that it's cheap. All you need is a cheap (around $25) soldering iron, a bit of solder. Now you could spend quite a bit more on a soldering iron, but for electronics like wires and circuit boards, the lower end models are actually better.
The difference between soldering irons is primarily the amount of heat they put out. Something in the 15-30W range is best for electronics, circuit boards and the like. Anything more powerful and you're likely to fry the board. If you're projects will be heavier wire and thicker metal then a more expensive, 40+ Watt iron will work better.
== What you need ==
Soldering is the process of taking a metal that liquifies at low temperature, called solder, and using it to join stronger metal together -- a bit like gluing with metal. To make it work you need heat (the soldering iron) and solder.
For your first attempt at soldering you'll want something to practice on, a old scrap of metal and some spare wire work well until you get the basics down.
=== Types of solder ===
There several kinds of solder available and which one you want depends on what you plan to do. For electronics work you're going to want rosin core solder. Any decent hardware or electronics store will likely stock cheap roles of rosin core for just a few dollars. Something in the 0.75MM to 1.0MM works best for circuit boards.
Be aware of what you're buying, acid core solder is also very common in hardware stores, but it won't work on electronic circuits (the acid will destroy the circuit board). Acid core solder is meant for use on heavier metal -- copper pipes and the like.
Depending on where you live you may find lead solder. Some states (like California and New York, as well as most of the EU) have already banned lead solder, but even if it's available where you are, avoid it -- lead solder has been linked to everything from birth defects to neurological damage. Buy lead-free solder.
== Preparation ==
Before you actually touch solder to wire, you'll need to "tin" the tip of your new soldering iron. Plug it in and let it heat up (be careful, soldering iron tips can be upwards of 800 degrees). Lay down a scrap of cardboard or other heavy material to protect your work surface (you'll likely drip quite a bit of solder in the beginning). Also keep a moist sponge handy for cleaning your tip.
When the iron is hot, cut off a length of solder and hold it out, rolling it around on the tip of the iron, coating the iron's tip on all sides. A well "tinned" iron will transfer heat better and it give the solder a starting point to flow from.
Now that your iron is primed it's time to solder.
== Down to business ==
If you're working with a circuit board, you generally won't need much solder. In fact, with delicate pieces, it's much easier to dip the tip of your iron in the solder, rather than getting a big chunk of solder near your circuit board.
Before we do that though, we need to heat up the solder pad on the board -- the metal that your solder will be "glued" to. To do that hold the tip of your iron against both the component lead (the resistor whatever you're adding to your board) and the board. This generally takes a second or two, though it can take longer on heavier duty boards. Once these two parts are hot, you can add the actual solder.
Dip your tip in the solder and wipe off any excess flux on the sponge. Then move that thin strand of solder over to the joint. Work quickly, as the flux in your solder will dry out fairly fast.
Assuming you've properly heated your components the solder should flow freely around the lead and the pad. Keep adding solder until there is a nice even coat around the joint, with a small mound at the base.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meddygarnet/2782362977/
Probably the biggest problem for beginners is adding too much solder. Just add a little bit at a time.
Another problem is what's known as a "cold solder joint." As the name emplies, cold solder joints are what happens when either the board or the component or both aren't hot enough. Cold solder joints are brittle and can crack, ruining your circuit board.
If you see cracks, your solder looks dull gray or grainy then you may have a cold solder joint. Sometimes you can fix a cold solder by reheating it and removing it from the board. Other times you'll need to desolder it and start over.
== Tips ==
# If you do need to get a larger amount of solder then what you can get by dipping the tip in the solder, don't just break off a tiny skinny piece and try to hold it in place. Cut off a bit longer piece of solder and roll up one end like you're coiling a rope -- that way it's much easier to hold.
# Make sure whatever you're soldering is clean -- wipe down circuit boards and anything else you're soldering with a clean, dry rag to eliminate finger oil or anything else that might weaken the soldered joint.
# Use a vice, or for smaller projects, a set of alligator clips, to hold your boards and wires while you solder them.
== Projects ==
So you've practiced soldering, built of up your skills and eliminated or fixed sold solder joints. Now you'd like to actually build something -- but what?
Thanks to Make, Instructibles and other DIY havens the internet is awash in project ideas, instructions and even pre-made kits. One of our favorite projects is the [http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/index.html Minty Boost, a kit that will help you build a standard AA battery-based iPod/iPhone/MP3/Phone/GPS charger. It's easy to build, doesn't require a lot of soldering and ends up with something very useful.
== Conclusion ==
Soldering is gluing for the digital age and everyone should know how to do it. Now that you've figured it out, get out there and build something awesome.
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