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Ok so I got one pickup wire soldered, though I have no frigging clue how. The other WILL NOT stick to the damn post?!?! wtf am i doing wrong?

Use rosin-core solder. THat stuff has flux inside.
Also heat up the wire with the iron and get it to melt the solder, instead of melting the solder onto the wire. (This makes a big difference)

You can also get some flux paste to make soldering easier.


Originally Posted by havocdragonOk so I got one pickup wire soldered, though I have no frigging clue how. The other WILL NOT stick to the damn post?!?! wtf am i doing wrong?

Tip from my brother: YOU DO NOT DIRECTLY PUT THE SOLDER ON THE POINT. As mentioned in a post before me, you have the tab, the wire touching the tab, and the soldering iron touching the wire and the tab heating it up. the solder is placed AWAY from the contact point, and the solder will travel through the wire onto the tab. Solder travels towards heat.

Disclaimer: have not tried it myself, but I trust my brother.

when in doubt try more tests on some scrap metal that you have lying around. Practice makes perfect.

There are a few classsic mistakes that beginners make. First of all, you should have one of those little stands that holds a sponge. Keep it wet. You must keep the tip quot;tinnedquot;. That is, you coat the tip with a thin layer of solder, wipe it on the sponge, coat it again. For best results, you should also tin both surfaces that your going to solder. Flow a small amount of solder on the connection, and a small amount on the wire. Heat the two together, then touch the solder to the tri-point made by the two pieces and the tip of the iron. The solder will flow into the connection. It doesn't take much when done properly.

Make sure the soldering iron is fully hot and use at least a 25W unit. If you are soldering to the back of a Pot use a 40W iron and soldering flux, the local Radio Shack outlet is a great source of parts and advice (except from the spotty kid who only works there part time!)
The draw through method is the most effective and is the industry standard, built enough Medium Voltage Ring Mains in my time to Black out half of Australia if I so wish, easy for me to get out of jury duty as I know where and how to shut down the local county court!
Take your time and be neat, this is the ONLY way to do it.

Scuff the pot chassis with fine sand paper.

Clean the pot chassis with a little mineral spirits. They often have just a little oil on them to keep them from corroding.

Use soldering flux. A little goes a long way.

Do those three things and you'll solder like a pro.


Originally Posted by ArtieTooThere are a few classsic mistakes that beginners make. First of all, you should have one of those little stands that holds a sponge. Keep it wet. You must keep the tip quot;tinnedquot;. That is, you coat the tip with a thin layer of solder, wipe it on the sponge, coat it again. For best results, you should also tin both surfaces that your going to solder. Flow a small amount of solder on the connection, and a small amount on the wire. Heat the two together, then touch the solder to the tri-point made by the two pieces and the tip of the iron. The solder will flow into the connection. It doesn't take much when done properly.

I was trying to think of a clear and succinct way of explaining exactly what you've just covered! Too quick off the mark for me Artie!!

thanks guys, everything is up and running, though my soldering needs some practice, but the wires are locked down and it works!!