[Robotgroup] soldering problems

[Paul Atkinson]

Denise,

I have a soldering gun somewhere that can pump out 150 Watts or so. The
smaller electronic soldering tips are around 20-30 Watts.

Plumber's flux is acid-based and can corrode small leads on electronics
parts. It still might be useful if you clean it carefully after you're done.
I can also get liquid solder flux which might help.

I know I have used a soldering gun (like a Weller) for doing stained glass
soldering in the past and it works well. Harbor Freight usually has similar
solder guns on sale for $6-$15.

Paul

On 3/20/07, Denise Scioli <morg80 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks Don.  I am planning on having the girls using heat gloves to help
> prevent burns, so a big-assed soldering gun from the 50's may be worth a
> try.  I will also try to solder on a smaller piece of copper to copper.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Denise
>
>
> >From: Don Colbath <dcolbath at austin.rr.com>
> >Reply-To: The Robot Group Mailing List <robotgroup at puremagic.com>
> >To: The Robot Group Mailing List <robotgroup at puremagic.com>
> >Subject: Re: [Robotgroup] soldering problems
> >Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:30:54 -0600
> >
> >Copper to copper should solder easily.  Probably not getting it hot
> >enough.  If it's big the copper may be taking away the heat quickly as
> >it's a good heat conductor.  What kind of soldering gun are you using.
> >Somewhere I have a big-ass soldering iron from the 50's from the vacuum
> >tube days.  Safer than a torch as there is no flame but you still need
> >to be careful as it's a big chunk of hot metal.  Additional rosin flux
> >on the joint may help too.  I have liquid and paste you can try.
> >Plumbers type is usually acid based which makes it a little dangerous.
> >
> >Super Glue works well in some places too.  You may have heard my warning
> >though.
> >If you do try and super glue anything and it doesn't work...DO NOT...try
> >and solder, melt or otherwise heat an article with super glue on it.
> >Super glue fumes in the eyes and nose are much like Wasabi nasal spray
> >or eye drops.   Yeee Ha!
> >
> >Tami might also have some insight on this.  I'm sure the jewelry welding
> >courses also had some soldering and brazing included.
> >
> >Don
> >
> >Denise Scioli wrote:
> >
> > >To all:
> > >
> > >I need some advice and help trying to solder small pieces of metal
> >together.
> > >  I am designing a proposed class of jewelry production (metal), and
> need
> >to
> > >know ways of joining pieces of metal together other than physically
> >(wire,
> > >brads, etc.)
> > >
> > >I have some copper metal tooling foil, and tried to solder small pieces
> >of
> > >copper to it.  No luck at all.  I know that plumbers solder copper
> pipe,
> >but
> > >instead of a soldering gun, they use a torch.  Is it that I haven't
> >gotten
> > >the pieces of copper hot enough?  Do I need to prepare the surface, or
> >use
> > >plumbers solder,(is it different than electrical solder, which is what
> I
> >am
> > >using at the moment.)
> > >
> > >And, if soldering is not an option (I don't know how I feel about using
> a
> > >torch with 6th and 7th grade students), is there some type of special
> >glue
> > >that would work?
> > >
> > >
> > >Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks.
> > >
> > >Denise
> > >
> > >_________________________________________________________________
> > >Exercise your brain! Try Flexicon.
> > >
> http://games.msn.com/en/flexicon/default.htm?icid=flexicon_hmemailtaglinemarch07
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >Robotgroup mailing list
> > >Robotgroup at puremagic.com
> > >http://lists.puremagic.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/robotgroup
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >--
> >
> >Consciousness:  That annoying time between naps.
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Robotgroup mailing list
> >Robotgroup at puremagic.com
> >http://lists.puremagic.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/robotgroup
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Mortgage refinance is hot 1) Rates near 30-yr lows 2) Good credit get
> intro-rate 4.625%*
>
> https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product=100000035&url=%2fst.jsp&tm=y&search=mortgage_text_links_88_h2a5f&s=4056&p=5117&disc=y&vers=743
>
> _______________________________________________
> Robotgroup mailing list
> Robotgroup at puremagic.com
> http://lists.puremagic.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/robotgroup
>