Instructions / Assembly

Page A14
7/07
Preparation
Filing and Tinning Soldering Coppers
Unless the soldering copper is properly tinned, a good soldering job is impossible. Tinning keeps scale and
corrosion from forming on the soldering copper point that acts as insulation, allows the solder to flow properly
from the point to the metal, and keeps dirt and scale out of both the solder and the seam. For best results, use a
50% Tin – 50% Lead solder.
1. Heat the copper to a cherry red and place it in a vise. Using a coarse file, remove pits and old tinning.
Then using a finer file, smooth off the rough edges of the corners of the point.
2. Reheat the copper enough to melt the solder. Apply a small portion of solder to the tip and rub the tip
lightly back and forth on a block of Sal Ammoniac. If the solder does not adhere to the point, it is
because the soldering copper is not hot enough. Do not inhale the white smoke that should rise from
the Sal Ammoniac block. It is a toxic gas and should not be breathed.
3. The solder copper should be neither overheated nor under heated during the tinning operation. If the
copper is too hot, the tin will burn off as fast as it is applied. If it is too cold, the solder will not adhere
to the copper.
Clean All Surfaces of Oxides, Dirt, Grease, and Other Foreign Matter
Unless the metal that is being soldered is clean, neither the solder nor the flux will adhere to the surface if the
metal.
Applying the Soldering Flux
Applying the flux is important. Carelessness in its application will ruin the entire solder procedure.
1. Liquid Fluxes are applied with a small brush. Dip the brush and spread it lightly on the area to be
soldered. Do not apply flux anywhere except where the soldering is to be done.
2. Powdered flux, such as rosin may be sprinkled onto the surface to be soldered or it can be melted on to
the metal with a hot copper. Do not apply flux anywhere except where the soldering is to be done.
3. Flux will absorb moisture, which weakens its capability. Be sure to use fresh flux that has not been
diluted.
Soldering
Position of the Soldering Copper
The position of the soldering copper is important as it is applied to the parent metal because it heats the metal to
the melting point of solder and it keeps the solder in a liquid state while soldering.
1. It is important that as much of the point of the copper is resting on the metal as possible to allow
maximum heat transfer from the tip to the metal. Most of the heat is in the body and the base of the
point of the soldering copper – not in the tip.
2. Since melted solders flow to the hottest point of the metal, have the base of the soldering copper in
contact with the area in which the solder is to flow. When soldering a seam, allow the soldering copper
to heat the seam itself so solder will flow into the seam for a watertight seal.
BASIC SOLDERING TERMS AND TECHNIQUES
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