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this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2025
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Asklemmy
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Use flux, pre-tin your soldering tip and the stuff you're planning to solder before you actually solder things together, rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips to clean residual flux off afterwards.
Yes that's an extremely simplified explanation, but for real, cleanliness is of utmost importance. When solder is clean and has flux, it flows almost like mercury when hot.
Also, you don't want the iron too cold or too hot. I've found temperature ranges between 370⁰C to 420⁰C typically best, lower temperature for thin data line traces, higher temps for large ground plane or power traces.
I mainly work on mechanical keyboards. Can you recommend a good soldering iron, solder, and flux?
Also, if you plan to start soldering more regularly, you might want to get some desoldering wick and a desoldering pump, check some tutorials, and practice on some scrap parts first.
I'm no sponsor or shill for these items, just a casual stroll through the bay for suggestions...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/322171797486
https://www.ebay.com/itm/187338588903
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rK38rpUy568
Mechanical keyboard don't have super thick heavy duty power traces, so basically any cheap $25 dollar 30 watt iron from Lowe's or other hardware store should do the trick for your needs.
When looking for solder, look for flux core or rosin core solder, practically all electronics grade solder is hollow and has flux/rosin already inside the solder.
For larger projects where you're dealing with large power traces and/or large wires, you might want to invest in a more professional temperature adjustable soldering station, and additional flux.
What old flux I've been using (I admit I haven't done all that much soldering in years after I quit that job, chemicals aren't exactly healthy yo)..
NC-559-ASM-TPF(UV)
But hey, if you want some cheap flux, just go cut some bark off of a pine tree and let the sap run for a day or two. The original soldering flux was pine sap.
Good luck fully cleaning that shit off though, pine sap is super sticky..