Re: My A2 Hardware Projects

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Mark McDougall wrote:
> I can't use
> solder braid to save my life. BTW, the braid should last a *long* time
> because you can use the one bit until the braid is *completely*
> saturated with solder. We get chewed out here at work for using too much
> braid...

There may be some correlation here!

You have to have high-quality, well-fluxed braid, or it simply doesn't
work.  And then, you have to "move it along" to a fresh spot as you can
see solder through the back side, or it will be unable to absorb more
solder.

"Using too much braid" corresponds to throwing away braid that is still
flexible because it hasn't been tinned by absorbing solder.

Removing all the solder from a typical component lead should typically
take about 1/2" or so of braid, in two or three "positionings".  The
braid always goes between the joint and the iron, and the first time
removes the bulk of the solder.  The second removes any residual solder,
with a third if some was missed.

Typical time from melting to removing the iron and braid is about
a second.

As with most skills, practice is good.  ;-)

-michael

New, faster SUDOKU v2.0 solver for Apple II's!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

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