How to Make a Transistor Radio
How to Solder
First a few safety precautions: * Never touch the element or tip of the soldering iron.
They are very hot (about 400°C) and will give you a nasty burn. * Take great care to avoid touching the mains flex with the tip of the iron.
The iron should have a heatproof flex for extra protection. An ordinary plastic flex will melt immediately if touched by a hot iron and there is a serious risk of burns and electric shock. * Always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
Never put it down on your workbench, even for a moment! * Work in a well-ventilated area.
The smoke formed as you melt solder is mostly from the flux and quite irritating. Avoid breathing it by keeping you head to the side of, not above, your work. * Wash your hands after using solder.
Solder contains lead which is a poisonous metal.
If you are unlucky (or careless!) enough to burn yourself please read the First Aid section.
Preparing the soldering iron: * Place the soldering iron in its stand and plug in.
The iron will take a few minutes to reach its operating temperature of about 400°C. * Dampen the sponge in the stand.
The best way to do this is to lift it out the stand and hold it under a cold tap for a moment, then squeeze to remove excess water. It should be damp, not dripping wet. * Wait a few minutes for the soldering iron to warm up.
You can check if it is ready by trying to melt a little solder on the tip. * Wipe the tip of the iron on the damp sponge.
This will clean the tip. * Melt a little solder on the tip of the iron.
This is called 'tinning' and it will help the heat to flow from the iron's tip to the joint. It only needs to be done when you plug in the iron, and occasionally while soldering if you need to wipe the tip clean on the sponge.
You are now ready to start soldering: * Hold the soldering iron like a pen, near the base of the handle.
Imagine you are going to write your name! Remember
First a few safety precautions: * Never touch the element or tip of the soldering iron.
They are very hot (about 400°C) and will give you a nasty burn. * Take great care to avoid touching the mains flex with the tip of the iron.
The iron should have a heatproof flex for extra protection. An ordinary plastic flex will melt immediately if touched by a hot iron and there is a serious risk of burns and electric shock. * Always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
Never put it down on your workbench, even for a moment! * Work in a well-ventilated area.
The smoke formed as you melt solder is mostly from the flux and quite irritating. Avoid breathing it by keeping you head to the side of, not above, your work. * Wash your hands after using solder.
Solder contains lead which is a poisonous metal.
If you are unlucky (or careless!) enough to burn yourself please read the First Aid section.
Preparing the soldering iron: * Place the soldering iron in its stand and plug in.
The iron will take a few minutes to reach its operating temperature of about 400°C. * Dampen the sponge in the stand.
The best way to do this is to lift it out the stand and hold it under a cold tap for a moment, then squeeze to remove excess water. It should be damp, not dripping wet. * Wait a few minutes for the soldering iron to warm up.
You can check if it is ready by trying to melt a little solder on the tip. * Wipe the tip of the iron on the damp sponge.
This will clean the tip. * Melt a little solder on the tip of the iron.
This is called 'tinning' and it will help the heat to flow from the iron's tip to the joint. It only needs to be done when you plug in the iron, and occasionally while soldering if you need to wipe the tip clean on the sponge.
You are now ready to start soldering: * Hold the soldering iron like a pen, near the base of the handle.
Imagine you are going to write your name! Remember