How to Solder Electronic Components : Through-Hole

Ordinary soldering irons are not costly and you can try. Soldering is one of the most needed skill in the world of electronics. Alternative to soldering in part is wire wrapping, but wire wrapping not always easy or perfect solution with currently available tools. Soldering through-hole technology components (through-hole components are commonly used by the makers and differs from SMD components). Commonly peoples fear to start solder electronic components mainly out of ignorance. Here is an easy guide for the beginners on how to solder electronic components. There are easy breadboard like perfboards, which are quite easy to place the components in correct way and start soldering.

How to Solder Electronic Components : Needed Tools

Previously we talked about soldering iron in details. Apart from the soldering iron, one will need soldering wire, which are sold as spools, are alloys with very low melting temperature, some alloys are eutectic — melting point is the same as freezing point. As like any wire, soldering wires has different gauges. While working with small components, it is practical to use thin soldering wire. For larger components, thicker wire should be preferred. Commonly the solder wires melts within 200°C.

Flush cutters helps to trim the legs of the components you will solder.

Soldering tips heats up and allows solder to flow. That tip in most good soldering irons can be changed. Tips are also separately sold. Initially a new user may not distinguish a bad tip. The base of the soldering iron and stand depends on model and are not exactly mandatory. Brass sponge or wet sponge can be used to clean the tips. Soldering wick is used to erase to solder aka for desoldering. Also there is a thing named Third Hand for holding PCBs, wires and provide magnification with glass.

How to Solder Electronic Components

In very simple words : we bent the legs of the components at 90 degrees and push inside the holes of perfboard or PCB’s front side.

By that time, soldering iron becomes read to deliver the heat. Commonly we wipe the tip of the iron on the sponge before approaching. Then melt part of soldering wire on the tip of the iron and put that molten metal on the back side of the perfboard or PCB’s backside side holding the component’s leg. After the metal is cooled, we check once and cut the extra leg of the component. It is practical to start practice with copper wire or resistors leg on perfboard without bending and cut it off.