Hi gang,
Here's the scoop. I have a bagful of old stock CTS pots that I've had for a while. They have started to accumulate a sort of "patina" on the lugs. It's a blackish tarnish, and almost looks like what you see on silverware.. Well, I can't for the life of me get solder to stick to the stupid things. I took a wire brush to them, nada, hit them with some fine sandpaper, same...
They are clean and shiny now, but will not take solder. I'm using a Weller temp. controlled station and Kester 63/37.
I was thinking of dipping them in a little Ferric Chloride for a sec, or maybe plumbers flux.. Has anyone had this situation, and were you able to straighten it out? I'd rather not throw out 20 new/old pots if I don't have to.
Thanks!
Soldering the Unsolderable
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- sportster4eva
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Soldering the Unsolderable
Sometimes I'm good, then I'm bad..
Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
Have you tried rosin flux?
I wouldn't use plumbers flux since that is acid based.
Pretty weird that after sanding they wouldn't clean up good enough to solder to.
How about Tarnex or some other chemical cleaner?
I wouldn't use plumbers flux since that is acid based.
Pretty weird that after sanding they wouldn't clean up good enough to solder to.
How about Tarnex or some other chemical cleaner?
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
- sportster4eva
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:43 pm
- Location: Seekonk, Ma.
- Contact:
Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
I agree, it's strange.. I am using rosin core solder. I was skeptical about the acid flux myself. I'm not giving up though.
Sometimes I'm good, then I'm bad..
Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
I've had luck with a quick blast of love on the dremel. followed by a hot 700 degree weller iron and kester 60/40 .33. FLOOD the tabs with the solder. Let it cool down for awhile ( 30 min ) come back and suck the solder off you should be tinned and good to go for any project.
My Daughter Build Stone Henge
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Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
remove the gundge any way that works, I did a quiky this morning with an
old gretch playboy wah, even the bare wire after striping was stuborn with
oxide, had use a dab of automotive connector/electrical cleaner, dont know why it
worked where other stuff didnt, try fine grit wetdry paper with any electronic
cleaner.
old gretch playboy wah, even the bare wire after striping was stuborn with
oxide, had use a dab of automotive connector/electrical cleaner, dont know why it
worked where other stuff didnt, try fine grit wetdry paper with any electronic
cleaner.
lazymaryamps
Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
Dimp the contacts into silver cleaner fluid for a few seconds and then wipe it off w/ a paper towel. Sanding removes the galvanic coating and the basic metal doesn't solder very well.
Larry
Larry
Larry's Website now with included Pix's Gallery
Re: Soldering the Unsolderable
a few swipes with the old steel solder brush is fast and works wonders Mouser 384-1018