Author Topic: Any tips on how to melt old solder? (Read 4632 times)

Crazy_Joe · « **on:** February 22, 2007, 12:24:49 PM »

I had the same problem with my Explorer but this Ibanez solder where the ground wire goes is so tough!

It will not melt so i can't get the old pickups out and in the process i am destroying the other wires.

Antag · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:32:37 PM »

What wattage of soldering iron are you using?

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:34:55 PM »

I have no idea it says 50Hz 240v/24v and 50va on it.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:41:24 PM »

Wooo finally got threough it, though i'm a bit worried about the volume pot as it's gettgin quite hot.

metal_god · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:55:08 PM »

should be fine aslong as you dont heat the pot for too long, try using the flattest part of the iron too the tip isnt great sometimes and remember to scratch all the cr@p from previous soldering....

Spud · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2007, 10:42:17 PM »

When melting solder it's a good idea to add a little fresh solder to the iron's tip first, as this helps conduct the heat to the old solder more efficiently.

Also turn the pot down to zero, so if too much heat is conducted to the carbon track inside the pot, the damage will not be at an audible part of the pot's travel.

A quick word on watts: the wattage does not determine temperature, rather how quickly the heat that is conducted away from the iron is replaced. a 25-30watt iron is fine for guitar electronics.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2007, 09:25:41 PM »

Yeah, when you put a bit of solder on the iron's tip it's called 'tinning up the iron' i think, well that's what i learned in electronics.