Soldering Lab

 Lab Objective: solder a lap joint

Part 1: Preparation

• Plug the soldering iron in and set to 4
• Cut two small strands of wire, about three inches in length each
•  Use wire strippers to strip about a quarter inch of insulation off of the tips of each wire. Twist wires while removing insulation.

Part 2: Tinning

Tinning coats the wires in a thin layer of solder to allow the solder to adhere to the wires

• Place the soldering iron on the table and hold a wire with one hand and solder with the other
• Place the wire on to the iron and allow it to heat up
• Once the wire is hot, gently place the solder on the wire and run it down the wire allowing the solder to evenly melt and coat the wire
• Clean the iron using brass wool and the sponge
• Repeat this process with the other wire

Part 3: Soldering the lap joint

• Clean the iron and place it on the table
  
• Apply a drop of solder to the tip of the iron
• Touch the ends of both wires together, then lightly touch to the drop of molten solder
• Allow the solder to adhere to the wires, then quickly remove wires from solder
• Keep the wires still while the solder cools