Soldering

[paulainscow]

Ive really enjoyed the build of my new car, a Cat K1 Aero, but struggled like hell with the soldering, getting a clean finish, and getting it to stick

Initially, I melt a little solder in to the attachment, and a coat the wire a little, but just struggle to get it to nip together

Has anyone any suggestions or pointers on how to make it a little easier?

[smokes]

It is dependent on heat of the iron and how iron tip is and type of solder used and tinning the joints.

Tip size.
if you use a small tip designed for circuit boards you will have trouble getting a nice finish when soldering 16AWG as there is not enough surface area to heat the volume of the wire and the solder up evenly and you end will up with a cold joint.

I have cracked joints because the tip was to small.

Heat of the iron.
Also using a 25watt iron (leaded solder) is the minimum i would use to solder wires. any thing less will end up with a cold joint.

Type of solder.
modern lead free solder does not flow as well as leaded solder and need more heat to reach it eutectic melting point. Try use some rosin flux to help the solder flow or get solder with a rosin core flux in it.

Tinning the joints

Make sure the wire and tab or connector are tinned and the finish is shiny. Then heat the two part together to make the joint.

I would recommend using a third arm tool to hold the to parts of the joint together while you are soldering the joint.

[Andrew Twigger]

This guide is very helpful, albeit a bit long winded.

[paulainscow]

Fantastic, and thank you both

I will order an arm / clamp now, that would save me burning fingers constantly too!