Favorite connectors

[Xpress]

Soldering bullet connectors isn't that difficult. The trick is to not only tin the wire, but to make sure the entire surface inside of the receptacle is tinned. You don't want to pool the solder up deep inside of the bullet but you don't want to have bare spots either. Takes a little bit of practice but it's not hard once you get the hang of it. I typically heat up the bullet until the solder is liquid then I push the wire in and wait until the solder on the wire wicks again, then you should be good to go. Fill in any open gaps if there is any.

 

[Jetpainter]

I've always kind of enjoyed soldering.

 

[Snoopy1]

To get heat into the receptacle you need to put a touch of solder on the iron to make good contact on the side of the receptacle so that it will heat up properly to get a good joint if not it will be a cold joint.
Do you just put a dry soldering iron against the receptacle. If how many watt iron are you using. I am using a 40 watt iron.

 

[Xpress]

Do you just put a dry soldering iron against the receptacle. If how many watt iron are you using. I am using a 40 watt iron.

I never use a dry iron tip for anything, always wet it with some solder (Hakko FX888D 70w iron)

 

[BalsaDust]

First thing I always do once my iron is heated up is dip it in my container of tip tinner.

 

[Snoopy1]

First thing I always do once my iron is heated up is dip it in my container of tip tinner.

Ok what is tip cleaner normally use a wet sponge to clean the tip every time you add new solder.

 

[BalsaDust]

It's this stuff right here. Works great and basically cleans the crap off the tip. It comes with some double sided foam tape and I have it stuck to the top of my soldering station.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#soldering-iron-tip-tinners/=14d7vnq

 

[AKNick]

I never use a dry iron tip for anything, always wet it with some solder (Hakko FX888D 70w iron)

I think we have the same iron. I love that thing!!

 

[AKNick]

I've always kind of enjoyed soldering.

Told an FAA inspector that I enjoyed avionics projects, he now calls me a solder sniffer ha ha ha

 

[Jetpainter]

It's this stuff right here. Works great and basically cleans the crap off the tip. It comes with some double sided foam tape and I have it stuck to the top of my soldering station.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#soldering-iron-tip-tinners/=14d7vnq

That's now on my list for my next McMaster Carr order.