Soldering tips/alternatives?

[bean438]

I am in the process of wiring up 2 tlah's, and 3 sla's.

So far 1 box has taken 3 hours.

I really suck at soldering, and this is absolutley the crappiest part of my build.

It is extremely difficult to get the wire in the goldwood tweeters.

Any tips? Can I use those push on things? Seems like the goldwoods are designed for this.

What do I need to buy if the crimp on connectors are ok?

[Bruce Weldy]

What are you soldering with? If it's a gun, chunk it. If it's a cheap pencil iron, chunk it. If you don't know about tinning the tip, using a wet sponge to clean with, etc., look up some soldering instruction on google - it will be well worth your time. Soldering is not hard with the right gear and education. Then with a little practice, you'll be a pro.

Hang in there...

[bean438]

Tinning! Thanks for the reminder. Brings me back to shops class years ago.

Tinning has made it MUCH easier. Ditto for the clean tip, but I was already doing that.

I am using a pencil type iron. What do you recommend? And why?

[Bruce Weldy]

Nothing wrong with a pencil if its a good one. So many of the cheap ones just don't get hot enough.

If you are going to be doing a lot of soldering or you just like to have decent tools, get a Weller soldering station (or something as good). You can get a variable heat station for around $50 bucks......it's worth every penny.

[UROK]

Is this sort of thing any good?

[bean438]

Bruce, is this what you are talking about?


http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-Sol ... B000AS28UC

[LelandCrooks]

Is this sort of thing any good?

It works great stripping the paint on my house. Soldering? Not so much.

[UROK]

Thank you Leland.

[Bruce Weldy]

Bruce, is this what you are talking about?


http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-Sol ... B000AS28UC

Yep, that's the one I have. Just got it in the middle of my build when my old iron bit the dust. I first tried a cheaper station.....got it home and it wouldn't melt solder. Took it back, spent a little more and got this one. I love it. Put it on 5 for speaker cable - turn it down to about 3 for soldering mic cables. Best one I've ever had.

[BoostFab]

i have this exact soldering station and it works awesome; i have solder alot of things with it. make sure you tin your the tip first.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=374-100

[bossman]

i have this exact soldering station and it works awesome; i have solder alot of things with it. make sure you tin your the tip first.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=374-100

I saw that one in the Parts Express flyer a while back and was wondering if it was any good. Thanks for the recommendation.

[BoostFab]

I saw that one in the Parts Express flyer a while back and was wondering if it was any good. Thanks for the recommendation.

go for it, you wont be disappointed.
i used it to solder several of these controller boards and other diy projects. tin the tip properly and it'll last

[Tsloms]

I have that same soldering station and it works great. That is by far the biggest PITA about the TLAH or SLA speakers. The soldering is very labor intensive and takes a lot of time. The end result will be worth it though.