Really Basic Soldering questions

[M0HAK]

My first attempt at soldering wires to a mini-DIN connector last weekend was less than successful.. not the neatest of jobs at all... Does anyone have a recommendation on the best way to solder these fiddly little guys?

[g7vhj]

Try using a fine tipped iron of about 15 watts and if you can get hold of any surface mount solder (1mm thick) that will be a good start.

[M0HAK]

I've actually got a thermostatic controlled iron with a fine tip...

I'm more looking for how to get the wires to stay in contact with the pins while soldering... there doesn't seem to be any way to attach them other than to clamp them both so that they touch and be careful not to move with with the iron... is there an easier way? I did the first one by pulling the pins and holding the pins individually with a pliers to solder them, but it's not very neat.

[ei7gnb]

To keep things still whilst soldering them, I use a few crocodile clips of varying sizes mounted on a bit of MDF. Basically along the same lines as those wee things you get with the clips and magifying glass on them

73 Jon

[5B4AJB]

I remember having fun with those connectors on one of my Atari ST's.

I melted several before succeeding :/

Try plugging it into the socket (switched off of course) so the pins are heat shunted and harder to melt while soldering.

It might be worth a few Euros buying a socket especially for the purpose!

Oh, and since the pins are SO close together, miniature heatshrink would be a good idea.

[steve1975l]

Pluggin the connector in is a good tip or you can hold in a small vice.

I assume you are using leaded solder so 350 should be your temp. Strip and tin the wires then cut them to size. Fill the solder bucket pins with solder. Then hold wire next to the pin and melt solder on pin and push wire into the pin.

I have been making DIN's and D type connector at work for years and have found this to be the easiest way at least for me.

[michael_schaap]

Oh yeah these are always fun. Steve1975's method would be a sure thing. I also fill the pin joint with solder before attempting to make the connection. This way you dont have to juggle with iron, wire, connector and solder all at the same time. Tin the wire like Steve said then all you have to do is heat up the pin. Since there is solder already in it, this solder will melt and just slid your tined wire in. Presto :) You might want to double up the wire.... as in strip more insulation off and fold it over. Be sure you dont leave a lot of bare wire as this could easily create a short. The tricky part with these little guys, I'm sorry to say, is not even where you are at yet. It's mechanical. Once you do get the wires in you have to make it mechanically stable. I wrap electrical tape around it being particular about the junction of where the wires leave the contacts. The wires are pretty thin. If you don't make the connections mechanically sound you will pull the wires out of the connectors. Be sure your solder is nice and shinny. If it looks dull you just made a cold solder joint which is unstable.

Good luck!

Michael Schaap

[M0HAK]

Oh it would be easy if these were bucket pins but they're not!

I've improved my soldering quite a bit since I wrote this, so I might go back and have another try.

Andy