Coffee Addict
Member
I have very little experience soldering. I need to solder a wire on to a brass hinge but the solder won't stick. I have sanded it and cleaned it but no luck.
HELP!
Roy
HELP!
Roy
Soldering Question!
- Thread starter Coffee Addict
- Start date
cheech9898
Sr Member
Sanded and cleaned, but you did use the appropriate soldering flux right? Other than that the hinge or wire may not be what you think it is metal wise.
Coffee Addict
Member
No flux used. The wire is copper and the hinge is brass. I'll pick up some flux.
bigbluejavelin
New Member
You will want to heat the hinge hot enough to melt the solder, without putting the solder on the iron, but to the hinge itself. The hinge may take a while to get hot enough, but the wire will heat up much faster due to the smaller mass. Flux would help also, but the main thing is to get both parts hot enough to melt the solder.
TazMan2000
Master Member
I agree with bigbluejavelin, however, ensure you have a bit of solder between the heating element and the hinge if it is a large piece, since the extra heating area created by the solder will heat your work piece up quicker. You will know it is heated up when the solder stops "balling" and melts like butter onto the work piece. Flux is key.
TazMan2000
parabellum
Member
appropriate flux is the key indeed.
when you heat up a piece of metal, the surface will oxidize from the oxygen in the air.
once the film of metal oxide is formed on the surface of metal, the solder is not going to stick to the metal.
flux prevents metal oxide from forming.
reason for cleaning the surface is to remove dirt and oil, but more importantly to remove film of metal oxide.
when you heat up a piece of metal, the surface will oxidize from the oxygen in the air.
once the film of metal oxide is formed on the surface of metal, the solder is not going to stick to the metal.
flux prevents metal oxide from forming.
reason for cleaning the surface is to remove dirt and oil, but more importantly to remove film of metal oxide.
Coffee Addict
Member
Thanks everyone for the great info. I finally got it to work. I doing a build up on a Mk IX Tricorder. I'll post pics when I finish.
Roy
Roy
cheech9898
Sr Member
:thumbsup Glad it worked out. Time for a victory beer.
:cheers
:cheers
Coffee Addict
Member
missileman
Well-Known Member
Just a tip for the future then,
Always "tin" both components first. So, prepare and flux the area where you want the solder to stick, and melt a thin layer onto that area.
After you do this to both components, wires or whatever, then bond them together with extra solder and sufficient heat.
Tinning makes everything easy.
Always "tin" both components first. So, prepare and flux the area where you want the solder to stick, and melt a thin layer onto that area.
After you do this to both components, wires or whatever, then bond them together with extra solder and sufficient heat.
Tinning makes everything easy.
Last edited:
Tripper
Sr Member
Just a top for the future then,
Tinning makes everything easy.
:thumbsup
Coffee Addict
Member
Just a top for the future then,
Always "tin" both components first. So, prepare and flux the area where you want the solder to stick, and melt a thin layer onto that area.
After you do this to both components, wires or whatever, then bond them together with extra solder and sufficient heat.
Tinning makes everything easy.
Thanks much! I will try it.
Roy
