How to Solder Wires

Knowing how to solder wires will help you to complete electronic and electric projects. The process is simple, but it requires a careful hand and practiced technique.

Step 1 – Protect Yourself

Soldering uses materials that get very hot, so be sure to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. Never touch the tip of the soldering iron. When not in use, put the soldering iron in its holder, instead of laying it on the workbench. If you touch the solder, then wash your hands, as it contains lead. To avoid the fumes from the solder, be sure the work area is ventilated and you don’t lean directly over the wires being soldered.

Step 2 – Prepare the Soldering Iron

Clean the soldering iron tip by wiping it across a piece of steel wool. It should be clean and shiny before using it for soldering. Place the soldering iron in the holder and plug it in. Be sure the plug wire is in a place where no one will trip over it. Tin the tip by applying a thin coat of solder around the tip. Then, wipe it lightly on a damp sponge. You may have to “tin” the tip often as you work.

Step 3 – Clean the Wires

Use steel wool to clean the wires to be soldered. Any dirt or oxidization will keep the solder from adhering to the surface. If you have a length of wire, simply trim the wire back and strip it so you have a new piece. Do not handle the wire to be soldered with your hands too much because it will pick up the oils from your skin.

Step 4 – Prepare the Wires

Cut a piece of heat shrink tubing an inch or two long and put it over the end of one of the wires and pull it back over the part of the wire with the sheathing. Twist the wires together. Use clamps or vises to hold the wires up so that the joint is easy to reach from all sides and leaves both of your hands free.

Step 5 – Apply the Solder

Use a clean soldering pencil and 60/40 rosin core solder. Don’t use acid core solder or 50/50 solder. Put the soldering iron underneath the wire so that the heat from it rises up to the wires. Touch the solder to the joint, not to the iron. When the joint is hot enough the solder will flow onto the wires.  Don’t use an excess amount of solder. Once the solder has covered the joint then let it cool completely without disturbing it. Take the solder away from the joint first and then take away the soldering iron.

Step 6 – Apply the Heat Shrinking Tube

Once the solder has cooled slide the heat shrinking tube over the soldered wires so it is centered.  Then touch the tubing to the center of soldering iron’s heating element. This shrinks the tubing over the wires. Keep heating the tubing from the center out until all of the tubing has adhered to the wires.

Once you master soldering it can help you complete many of your home repair projects.  Knowing how to solder is helpful for many home repair jobs. You can repair electrical wiring, repair gutters or fix your electronics.