How do I learn to solder/desolder stuff without damaging anything

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i440BX

i440BX

The EU is so "based"
kiwifarms.net
Joined
Jan 16, 2024
Hello. I own a simple solder iron and an Einhell gun.
515jF7aQ8jL._AC_SX679_-472924494.jpg Soldering+Gun+BT-SG+100-2479039709.jpg
I tried a while ago to desolder an damaged microusb port from an cheap bluetooth speaker but I was a retard and applied probably too much heat and the copper traces disintegrated.

Before I destroy further traces/PCBs, I want to learn how to properly solder stuff. I noticed I have high difficulty in desoldering and removing stuff. Also For some reason my iron tip gets dark pretty fast. Is it normal?
 
Also, sometimes when I try to put solder on PCB, solder transforms in a ball. I tried dipping the tip in the flux that came with the gun.
 
Check a thrift store if they have broken / damaged stuff
they'll probably be glad someones taking it away.
 
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I also forgot, it is hard for me to hold the PCB to not move and also concentrate on pcb. I think I need some sort of platform for small stuff.
 
i440BX said:
Also, sometimes when I try to put solder on PCB, solder transforms in a ball. I tried dipping the tip in the flux that came with the gun.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you need to re-tin the tip of your soldering iron due to it being oxidized.
 
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I learned to solder in school, but really I learned when I was made to disassemble other students projects in detention as a punishment.

If you do find some junk to practice on make sure it's not too old, you'd want something from 2010+ to avoid old lead solder.

putting a tiny amount solder on the pad first really helped get good joins when I was learning.
 
They make and sell kits that are simple PCBs you solder and put together yourself to learn the basics of soldering. Look up "Elenco FM Radio Kit" or just "learn to solder kit" and pick one you find interesting and practice with it.

i440BX said:
Also, sometimes when I try to put solder on PCB, solder transforms in a ball. I tried dipping the tip in the flux that came with the gun.
Click to expand...
You want to use more heat and less solder if you find it's globbing up into a ball.
 
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i440BX said:
Also, sometimes when I try to put solder on PCB, solder transforms in a ball. I tried dipping the tip in the flux that came with the gun.
Click to expand...
You need to apply the flux to the actual thing you're soldering the component onto - flux is how your solder sticks/flows onto the thing you're soldering.

PCB's usually require a softer touch and more precision, especially surface mount PCB stuff.
 
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VargReallyDidNothingWrong said:
You need to apply the flux to the actual thing you're soldering the component onto - flux is how your solder sticks/flows onto the thing you're soldering.

PCB's usually require a softer touch and more precision, especially surface mount PCB stuff.
Click to expand...
I think it may be also the fact that the tip is pretty large compared to smaller components. For capacitors and a bit bigger parts it does fine. When it comes to small traces like on that micro usb port, it is pretty difficult.
 
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