The secret to good soldering is to use the right amount of heat. Too little heat will result in a cold solder joint; too much heat can seriously damage a component. The key factors in quality soldering are time and temperature. Generally, rapid heating is what you want. If heat is applied for too long, the flux may be consumed and surface oxidation can become a problem.

All soldering should be performed with a soldering iron rated at approximately 45 watts. The tip should be kept clean by brushing it frequently on a moist sponge. You can use an iron that plugs directly into a wall outlet or, for better temperature control, use a soldering station. Soldering stations usually have a variable temperature control, which lets you set the amount of heat to be used at the appropriate level.

For good heat conduction between the soldering iron and the joint, a small amount of solder should be applied to the tinned portion of the soldering iron tip, and this surface should be applied to the backside of the terminal. The solder wire is then applied to the front side of the terminal, but is not brought into contact with the iron (See Figure 1, above). When the solder melts into the terminal and wire, the joint is properly soldered. The reason the iron is placed on the backside, with the solder wire on the front side, is that solder travels towards heat. This procedure avoids a cold solder joint that could cause trouble in the future. It’s a good idea for the inexperienced hobbyist to practice soldering with some scrap terminals and wire before attempting to solder on the actual job/project.

Good practice tips:

1. Apply enough solder so that every strand of wire is surrounded by solder.
2. Do not over tin the wire or solder may flow up under the wire’s insulation causing it become rigid, or you’ll end up with globs of solder on the terminal that will have to be removed.

We hope everyone has a Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing you at the shop or at the next Pomona Swap Meet!

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With over 40 years of combined restoration experience, Capp’s Hot Rods rebuilds and restores Model As, Deuces, ’33s and up, classic cars of all makes and models, and muscle cars.  Located in Woodland Hills, California, Capp’s specializes in complete wiring services, from repairs to complete harness installations.  Visit their website or call 818-974-7530 for more information, or to schedule an appointment for your classic car.  You can also find the Capp’s team at the Pomona Swap Meet on Road 22, Spaces 22, 24 and 26.