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Soldering on the flexdrive...

Elektrotechniker

Elektrotechniker

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Alright, I really want to know how exactly you guys manage to solder on this bad boy.. The area you can apply solder is TOO small, thus it makes it too difficult to touch this thing, because the components can easily be-desoldered.

I just learnt the basics of soldering and watched a lot of tutorials,but I haven't came across of a safe way to solder my wires on the flexdrive, so I can attach a diode etc.

It's strange how nobody has made a video tutorial about this yet.

I am asking that the ones who have the experience of soldering on the flexdrive to post here and explain how they did it. By doing this, a lot of people will use this as a tutorial. Maybe dr.lava could give some advice.. It would be VERY VERY helpful. Pics or even a video are welcome. Thanks in advance.
 
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pseudolobster

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Steady hands and a fine tipped iron and it should be a breeze.

Pre-tin your wires, that way you just need to line up the wire in place and tap it with the iron.. Shouldn't take more that two tenths of a second.

(edit) oh yeah, there's holes... Just tin your wire, feed it through the hole, then touch it with the iron to melt the solder on the wire to the pad on the board.
 
Glutton

Glutton

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Yep, "pre-tin" the wires and the flex drive pads. Use some flux as well, which will make things a lot easier. And "practice makes perfect".

I still accidentally de-solder the resistors now and then but I am getting better at it.
 
charliebruce

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Sorry for the bad quality, hope it shows the process OK. I've used this and I haven't damaged any (in fact, with a similar method and a craft knife I've managed to fix a couple of Flexdrives). The pads are pre-tinned, all I use is a blob of solder on the iron to heat this until it's liquid, then gently push the tinned wire through. (Yes, my hair is stupidly long ;))
 
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bobhaha

bobhaha

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my method is, pre-tin the wire, but it has to be really thin, so it fits through the hole. Next add a bit of soldering flux, to the base of the wire and the pad on the hole. This will increase the heat transfer and make it really hot, QUICK. Now take a piece solder and place that so it hits the pad on the hole and the wire, take the iron and heat the top of the wire, and slowly push the solder into place. Because you have flux it will just run into the right place. Then remove heat and solder to let it solidify. Always remember to use heat shrink tubing! If all is done correctly, the solder should be hard, smooth, shiny, should look like a pyramid and have no pointy bits, or rough surface. Here is an example!

18112009003.jpg


Hope that helped! -Adrian
 
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mfo

mfo

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The size has always been my biggest fear, but lately I've been growing a pair so I think my next build will use one :)
 
ZheolD

ZheolD

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My frist build i used a Flexdrive (Brought to you by Drlava) i found it Rather Eazyto Solder. Just Relax, Use a fine tip Iron and exhail as you solder so your hands are steady
 
Mohrenberg

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You talking about soldering the wires to the flex drive, or bridging the resistors to get the current range for setting it?

Tip: Use something to hold the flex drive still, and then lay your hand on a solid surface while soldering.
Your hand may shake, but they won't shake if they are resting on something...

Other than that there really isn't anything to it, be sure to pretin your wires, and i put the soldering tip on one side of the through hole, and then insert the wire from the other side.
 
Elektrotechniker

Elektrotechniker

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Alright! These are a lot of suggestions! Thanks a lot guys! Also, thanks to bryce who made that video :)

Also, what about desoldering? Can I use a solder sucker tool or some thin copper to drag the solder?

@ Mohrenberg, I am talking about soldering the wires to the flex drive, not bridging the resistors to get the current range.
 
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D

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to desolder just heat it the same way you did to solder and use a sucker if you have one!
 
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