Soldering Techniques
Tinning the Tip
In this guide, we introduce the basics of soldering, with a focus on THT soldering (Through-Hole Technology), as it's the ideal starting point for beginners and is used in most DIY projects involving through-hole components.
Once the soldering iron has reached around 350°C, begin by tinning the tip with a small amount of solder. Simply touch the solder to the tip until it melts and flows evenly around it.
Repeat this process before and after each soldering session. This not only improves the quality of your solder joints but also extends the lifespan of the tip.
How to Solder
Start by placing the component into the designated holes and securing it by gently bending the legs sideways at about 45°.
Avoid over-bending, as this can stress or even break the leads and make future desoldering more difficult.
Next, turn the PCB over to begin soldering. Heat the component leg and the copper pad simultaneously by touching both with the tinned tip. After 3–5 seconds, the pad should be hot enough. Now apply solder to the joint.
Only apply solder to the component leg or the copper pad—never directly to the iron. The component must be hot enough to melt the solder on its own. If the joint is too cold, it will result in a poor connection.
The final step is to wait a few seconds to let the joint cool down. Then you can cut off the legs with
Crimp Tools and Pliers as close to the board as possible without damaging it.
A good solder joint is volcano- or cone-shaped and appears shiny and smooth. Don’t apply too much solder—you want to avoid solder balls or overflow into nearby holes, as this could cause a short circuit and potentially damage your project.
If you’ve used too much solder, you can often reheat the joint with the iron. The solder will reflow and settle into a better shape.
If excess solder remains or if it bridges to a nearby pad, you can remove it using
desoldering
braid or a solder sucker.
Cleaning the PCB
After you’ve finished soldering all components to the PCB, it’s good practice to clean the board using isopropyl alcohol. This removes flux residues, which can be slightly conductive or corrosive over time.
Soldering Techniques
Tinning the Tip
In this guide, we introduce the basics of soldering, with a focus on THT soldering (Through-Hole Technology), as it's the ideal starting point for beginners and is used in most DIY projects involving through-hole components.
Once the soldering iron has reached around 350°C, begin by tinning the tip with a small amount of solder. Simply touch the solder to the tip until it melts and flows evenly around it.
Repeat this process before and after each soldering session. This not only improves the quality of your solder joints but also extends the lifespan of the tip.
How to Solder
Start by placing the component into the designated holes and securing it by gently bending the legs sideways at about 45°.
Avoid over-bending, as this can stress or even break the leads and make future desoldering more difficult.
Next, turn the PCB over to begin soldering. Heat the component leg and the copper pad simultaneously by touching both with the tinned tip. After 3–5 seconds, the pad should be hot enough. Now apply solder to the joint.
Only apply solder to the component leg or the copper pad—never directly to the iron. The component must be hot enough to melt the solder on its own. If the joint is too cold, it will result in a poor connection.
The final step is to wait a few seconds to let the joint cool down. Then you can cut off the legs with
Crimp Tools and Pliers as close to the board as possible without damaging it.
A good solder joint is volcano- or cone-shaped and appears shiny and smooth. Don’t apply too much solder—you want to avoid solder balls or overflow into nearby holes, as this could cause a short circuit and potentially damage your project.
If you’ve used too much solder, you can often reheat the joint with the iron. The solder will reflow and settle into a better shape.
If excess solder remains or if it bridges to a nearby pad, you can remove it using
desoldering
braid or a solder sucker.
Cleaning the PCB
After you’ve finished soldering all components to the PCB, it’s good practice to clean the board using isopropyl alcohol. This removes flux residues, which can be slightly conductive or corrosive over time.