Capacitor leads vs. resistor leads

[comradehoser]

WHY are my crap solders always invariably and without fail on capacitors???

Particularly electrolytics. Resistors great, diodes great, LEDs awesome, sockets great, capacitors I end up with blobs or half soldered Quasimodo atrocities.

Is there something in the manufacturing? Am I the only one?

 

[Erik S]

Maybe they sink more heat than smaller components?

Blobs makes me think maybe you’re running cold.

 

[comradehoser]

Hmmm. The heatsink: maybe.

Running @ 375 C with Kester 60-40. Flows and all, just doesn't seem to want to settle unless I blob it.

I'm not saying I always make bad cap solders, but when I do make a bad solder, more often than not, it's a cap

Don't have that issue with switches or pots.

 

[Nostradoomus]

aluminum is definitely a heatsink, give em another second or use flux

 

[Harry Klippton]

Are you using a shit iron or is your tip all cruddy?

 

[Nostradoomus]

cruddy shit is always a possibility

 

[jwin615]

Running @ 375 C with Kester 60-40.

Wuss
Maybe because they were packaged in tape and pulled apart by greasy fingers...

 

[Nostradoomus]

maybe she’s born with it






maybe it’s cruddy shit

 

[HamishR]

Could just be the brand and/or age of cap. Make sure the leads are bright, not dull grey.

 

[comradehoser]

Nah, my iron is decent and I keep the tip clean.

Cruddy shit's not my game if you know what I mean.

Shipped with the best solder wire I ever had,

Even if it's not brand name, you know I can't be mad.

Xtronic.

[Edit: this one, I love it.

X-Tronic - 3020-XTS Soldering Station with 5 Extra Tips, Roll of Solder, Solder Sucker, Tweezers & More | X-Tronic USA | Soldering Technology

X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS 75 Watt Digital LED Display Soldering Iron Station Complete Kit Including 2 Helping Hands, 5 Extra Sizes/Style of Soldering Tips, 1 Rol

xtronicusa.com

Mine didn't come with tweezers or a solder sucker, and the first one I got from Amazon glowed red, but this one has been super solid. No complaints, and their solder blows Kester out of the water for me.

 

[comradehoser]

Intentional cringe

 

[Feral Feline]

Age of cap was my first thought, oxidation on the leads... take some emory cloth to the leads.

Also, get a bicycle-rim eraser for cleaning off the oxidation of older vero, perf and PCBs... ("WTF is FF talking about?" A: link to a talkbass post):

I had the same problem, thought it might be my soldering-technique (lack thereof) or old solder or... NOPE! Just needed clean soldering-surfaces!

 

[comradehoser]

Hahaha you gave me a momentary cognitive missed step [like when you go down a set of stairs in the dark and think you the last one but it's still one more], as I've spent a long time doing bikes as well. [I was like, yep, rims and canti brakes WAIT A MINUTE that's not this forum!!].

 

[PunchySunshine]

I always clean leads with ISO and a kimwipe before installing.

 

[Erik S]

I always clean leads with ISO and a kimwipe before installing.

Always?

I've probably cleaned a few leads on some crusty vintage parts, but never on new stuff.

All the new (tayda) stuff goes straight in without any apparent issue.

 

[PunchySunshine]

Always?

Always. After I test but before I install. It doesn't always make a difference but it does enough to make me want to keep doing it. It also stopped the random hard to solder components from happening to me.

 

[Bio77]

You could try 63/37 solder. It clumps less than 60/40 in my experience.

Also, with electros, I usually place them with the full lead (not trimmed). After you solder both leads, you can go back and hit each joint with the iron and run it up the lead quickly. This wicks away most of the excess solder and when you clip the lead it looks normal.

 

[Erik S]

Always. After I test but before I install. It doesn't always make a difference but it does enough to make me want to keep doing it. It also stopped the random hard to solder components from happening to me.

That's awesome. I don't think I'm going to start doing it, but I respect that level of attention to quality.

 

[comradehoser]

You could try 63/37 solder. It clumps less than 60/40 in my experience.

Also, with electros, I usually place them with the full lead (not trimmed). After you solder both leads, you can go back and hit each joint with the iron and run it up the lead quickly. This wicks away most of the excess solder and when you clip the lead it looks normal.

Yep, i do this, and I do use 63/37 I believe, I can never remember the exact ratio, though, so I just say 60/40.

 

[Feral Feline]

I always clean leads with ISO and a kimwipe before installing.

?