How to solder?

It seems I can't master the way of soldering. I have a 45watt solder iron and when I tried it took me five minutes to solder the two wires together and it did not look good. Is there any tips or something I am missing?

In order to solder wires together well you must let the tip of the solder gun heat up the wire before you place your solder to it.  When you place your solder to the wire (if its hot enough ) the solder should "flow" around the joint evenly.  Then let it cool for a good connection.  Dont touch the soldring iron to the wire and then touch the solder to the tip of the iron.  That makes for a bad lumpy connection.  Keep practicing it takes a little practice.   Brian

i have a question too when i use mysoldering gun sometimes it takes almost forever to melt the solder but sometimesit'll melt instantly, is it a bad soldering gun? and is flux needed for soldering wires?

Yes I forgot to tell you.  In doing electronic type soldering you should use what they call Rosin core solder. It is also refered to as 60/40 solder.  60% tin and 40% lead.  Dont try to use plumbing type solder. It needs alot higher temputure to melt.  You can get 60/40 solder at your local Radio Shack.  Brian

You may also have a bad tip on your gun.  Try replacing it

well.... a general idea here.  I find soldering tough, too.  Sometimes it goes quick, and other times slowly.  I try to avoid it.

You can't do a decent soldering job without a clean tip! If it gets crusty, Hit it with a steel wire brush while its cold, then when its hot, tin the tip (melt some solder onto it, then wipe it off with a "wet rag". AND, wipe it off everytime you use it, or the oxidation builds up. This goes for every type of soldering iron, gun, etc.