Poor Soldering Notes
How long does it take to become proficient with soldering audio connectors? It depends on the teacher and the current skill level of the technician. I’ve trained many technicians – some grasping the concepts quickly (a couple of days), some taking over a week, and some never getting the hang of it. Our head technician eventually took over the training duties and implemented a process to quickly identify which technicians had the skillset to handle required soldering tasks. Although soldering may look easy, it takes time to gain the experience and proper skills to solder proficiently.
Here are some Examples of Poor Soldering
Too much solder can also develop into issues as well – use the proper amount of solder to ensure a reliable bond and connection.
Proper Solder Joints:
- Are shiny
- Right amount of solder and are Concaved shape
- The Attachment / Bond is secure.
Improper Solder Joints:
- Look Dull
- Are lumpy, ball shaped
- Not enough solder, there is only a partial attachment.
Cold Solder Joints
A cold solder joint can best be described as a “joint” where the solder does not melt completely. Cold Soldering Joints are unpredictable and can eventually cause “cracks” in the solder joint over time (see example below). The most common issue related to cold solder joints is the forming of an improper joint – the wire or electrical component does not bond properly, and the connection has failed or will eventually fail.
