Hello all! I’m starting to wire and solder the Arduino 8 sequencer based on the schematic but some of the soldering is giving me a fit. I’m very comfortable with soldering things like cables, and soldering on PCB’s protoboards, but soldering small component legs to the pots on for example are giving me a bit of a hard time. I am using soldering flux and also tinned each pot lug. Not sure why this is turning into a hassle (other than I need a skills upgrade lol).
I bought pots from Amazon and they have the straight solder lugs and smaller overall body. They were cheapest. It was expensive to go with super nice Alpha pots that have the small hole in the lug (which is so much easier to deal with when soldering).
Any tips for quickly, neatly, and securely soldering diodes and resisters with these small, straight lugs? The few diodes I’ve already soldered make me nervous that they’re not well connected, plus they look crummy. I’ve been searching Google all evening on tips and techniques but everything is either PCB soldering or wire soldering techniques. Both of which I’m already comfortable with and can do decently. So none of it really helps so far.
Thanks guys!! That’s awesome! I’ve often thought of trying going through the holes like that but thought maybe it was no bueno. Also the doubling of the component legs is a smart idea too!
For giggles I may try both of those ideas to mess around.
Fwiw just soldered in all the diodes that go to the wiper lugs and using the holes worked like a charm! Solid solder connection and doesn’t look janky. That was a huge save guys. I appreciate it very much.
I only found this out about this type out of desperation and trial and error in the past few months.
However, to answer your question more directly since you may need to directly solder two components that are thin like this ill let you know what worked for me.
As @d42kn355 said, tin both, then bring them close together and run the iron over it (and try your best not to burn you fingers) Yeah yeah, i should get helping hands.
I use Silly Putty. I just have to remember to keep it away from silicone insulated wire and the silicone soldering mat, that’s the one substance it sticks to like crazy.
I think it’s called sticky tack over here (?) but could be wrong. Last time I saw it used was many years ago when I was school age. Silly putty is a dope idea too! Never would have thought to use that. It’s a shame my kids are teens now. Could have robbed one of their tool chests when they used to have it around.
Usually I put one leg in the hole and make a small swirl around the legs of the potentiometer (as if I was making a knot), and to solder a cable to the diode/resistor I make a loop with the other leg to pass the cable through it and then I pinch the whole thing before soldering. The inconvenient is that it makes it harder to unsolder in case of errors.
I’ve recently used a big hunk of modeling clay. Not the play-doh neon colored kind that dries out. And put that on my cutting mat, push it around until I get useful hills and valleys and stick all the ends of components into it and then push the top ends together and it holds them together well; and solder away. Holds odd shapes like pots and jacks and even the strip board. Doesn’t burn, doesn’t stick
