PCB soldering question

[sticky1138]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum here and I just started building the Caesar Chorus. This will be my third build, after a treble booster and a Maestro fuzz, so I'm taking the plunge on a more complex circuit.

My last two builds were on veroboard, so I am not that familiar with using PCBs. I just started populating the board and noticed some melting around the joints (see pic). Is this normal/safe for the PCB? I'm using a simple 25W iron, no temperature control, with a conical tip. I wonder if it's too hot or the tip is not precise enough.

I hope I didn't ruin the PCB already and wanted to ask before I do any (more) damage.

 

[Coda]

I think you are good. It’s not the board melting. As long as the pads stay intact...especially on the bottom side of the board.

 

[dlazzarini]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum here and I just started building the Caesar Chorus. This will be my third build, after a treble booster and a Maestro fuzz, so I'm taking the plunge on a more complex circuit.

My last two builds were on veroboard, so I am not that familiar with using PCBs. I just started populating the board and noticed some melting around the joints (see pic). Is this normal/safe for the PCB? I'm using a simple 25W iron, no temperature control, with a conical tip. I wonder if it's too hot or the tip is not precise enough.

I hope I didn't ruin the PCB already and wanted to ask before I do any (more) damage.

Almost looks like rosin from the solder. See if it cleans up with some isopropyl alcohol and a brush

 

[sticky1138]

After a closer look it does seem more like a yellow residue bubbling on top rather than the board itself melting.

 

[sticky1138]

Is this a common occurrence? Not too familiar with the types of solder available, maybe I didn't buy the best one for the job.

And is it worth cleaning up? It doesn't appear to be hindering the connections and I assume rosin won't cause a short.

 

[Robert]

Yes, it's common for rosin core solder.

Normally it won't cause a measurable short depending on the chemical makeup of the rosin in your solder, but it can interfere with circuit functionality in some cases as well as cause corrosion. It also makes it harder to see any defects in your solder joints.

It's generally a good idea to clean it up with isopropyl alcohol after soldering. That'll be the first piece of advice if/when one of your builds has an issue and you need assistance in troubleshooting.

 

[beachbum]

I've always wondered about this.

It's generally a good idea to clean it up with isopropyl alcohol after soldering. That'll be the first piece of advice if/when one of your builds has an issue and you need assistance in troubleshooting.

Is it like wipe it with a cloth dipped in IPA or is it fully submerge in a container components and all kind of thing and let it simmer?

Funny story: I cleaned the dirty power button on my old macbook pro with IPA and now it doesn't do anyting when pressed. The only way to turn on the computer is to unscrew the bottom plate and disconnect and reconnect the battery socket.

 

[dlazzarini]

I've always wondered about this.

Is it like wipe it with a cloth dipped in IPA or is it fully submerge in a container components and all kind of thing and let it simmer?

Funny story: I cleaned the dirty power button on my old macbook pro with IPA and now it doesn't do anyting when pressed. The only way to turn on the computer is to unscrew the bottom plate and disconnect and reconnect the battery socket.

I use a brush with iso. You should be mindful around the pots or trim pots though. You don’t want to have that sludge was onto the wafers inside.

 

[Robert]

I keep one of these filled with alcohol on my bench. You press down the top and the little bowl fills up.

 

[Coda]

I double up a paper towel over the solder side, and dip a toothbrush in alcohol, and clean through the paper towel.