Posted by Angel on September 15, 2002 at 10:14:04:
In Reply to: Solder Problem posted by Tony on September 15, 2002 at 08:45:17:
Tony, soldering takes a LONG time to learn. Most of us are still learning after years of doing it...new techniques and tricks. Your problem is called "Run-through" or "Melt-through". It happens when some of the solder on the second side melts the solder on the first side and leaves spots of excess solder that flattens out against the workbench surface. It's a common problem.
There are several things you can try, but FIRST, I would try putting a damp shop towel flat on the workbench and placing your panel on that when you turn it. This will cool off the solder faster and prevent it from melting through. It WILL NOT crack the glass because it all heats up together.
This is a TRICK. RE-dampen to cool the towel and put it under the panel when you turn to the first side again. Eventually, your skill will improve so that you can do a single pass on each side. I still use the Towel Trick.
Another TRICK is to use 50/50 solder to fill any gaps on the first side. It melts at a higher temp and doesn't run through when solder is applied over it on the back side. Some people do an entire primary beading of the whole first side with 50/50. It leaves a flat bead because it also cools slower and you'll need to run either 60/40 or 63/37 over it AFTER you solder the back side with 60/40 to get a nice, finished, raised bead.
Second, you might try working a bit faster...moving your iron along at a faster pace. This is TECHNIQUE. I won't tell you to turn DOWN the heat because you need HEAT to get good, smooth solder seams, but that's a consideration some people choose. If you do that and start to get wavy, lumpy seams...raise the heat. All the solders we use do best at almost full temp when beading. You can work with a cooler Iron if you do edge beading, or edge wiring and deco-soldering.
Practice, practice. Hang in there. Check your e-mail. I'm sending you the Aanraku soldering method by Jeffrey Castaline. It's helped a lot of people to get better control while soldering...especially when you're new.
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I am sort new and have made a few pieces and they have turned out pretty good regarding the solder. For some reason the last couple of projects I solder the front and looks good then I turn it over and solder the back and when I am finished I turn it over and some of the solder lines have big flat areas where the bead was. I cant figure out what is going on now. I am not sure if I am holding the iron wrong or what THanks for your help.