any solder videos?

I sort of know how to solder but I am having a lot of cold joints. Any tips or videos on a pro technique? Flux suggestions or solder type recommendations? thanks
TR

main thing is to make sure your solder iron is hot enough and heating the wire adequately. If you're having cold joints, the solder isn't penetrating the wire because the wire is not hot enough ("cold"). I use a Craftsman solder gun. Its been old trusty for the last 8 years now, only had to replace it once because I ran it over with a car on accident.

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Shaun, we are the same height, that is neat!

12V Installation Technician for Honda, Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota and Jeep.

Go to Youtube and copy and paste the following into the search box

How and WHY to Solder Correctly

That's a good video, if you are doing small electronic soldering..

Would be nice to see one with actual thick wires (ignition wires, etc)..

I too would like to see how the pros do it or what irons are the best, etc.

For in car remote start connections I only use my Craftsman solder gun.  For smaller wires in car I like to use a butane iron.

The easiest way to make sure you don't get cold solder joints is to apply the sodler to the wire, NOT the tip of the iron.  You also need to make sure that both wires are sucking the solder up as you apply the solder.  I've seen connections made where the remote start wire was wrapped around the ignition wire in the car, but only the remote start wire had solder on it - the wire would actually slide up and down on the ignition wire.  Obviously whoever soldered the joint did not get any heat penetration to the inside wire.

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Kevin Pierson

What gun do you use? (Model)

Thanks

I use the Craftsman 54046 soldering gun and an ECG J-700KT cordless butane soldering iron.

I started out using only the Craftsman gun and I used it for years.  But, things changed and I found myself needing the ability to solder wires anywhere so I tried the ECG and I love it.  I now only get the gun out for big wires or long jobs as the gun is a bit more convenient if you are starting and stopping a lot.

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Kevin Pierson

Hmm.. I wonder if that's my issue. I have the Weller 8200-PK which is 140/100 watt.. Yours is 150/230 watt.. I find mine takes FOREVER to heat up the thick wires enough for the solder to be pulled through..

Wonder if I should go ahead and get the on you have as it has a lot more juice..

I've used the Weller gun before and I didn't like it at all.  It seemed that the tip was very sensitive and if you didn't have the wire touching the small "sweet spot" of the tip it didn't heat the wires up enough.  The Craftsman gun has a "sweet spot" as well but it's much bigger and much easier to repeat. 

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Kevin Pierson

Get a Weller D550, it's  a 200/260 watt gun.  MORE than enuff heat for ingition wires.  Make sure your'e using good solder too.  Kester 60/40 or even the radio shack stuff is ok.  And only 12 bux for a 1Lb roll!

I thought I would chime in since I was curious what irons and solder others were using. The only iron I have is a Master Appliance UT 100si butane iron. I have the biggest blade tip they sell on it just for the heavy ignition wires. The first ever iron I had was a $15 Radio Shack that lasted a couple months and the tips lasted about a month. But that is how I got started on Radio Shack solder. I still use it.

thanks for all the replies brethren. Great forum. Off to ebay for some soldering supplies,
REGARDS!
TR