So for the past month I have been watching Youtube videos and reading forum posts, gearing up to try my hand at soldering so I can fix some light i have that are broken.
I have:
-Aoyue 936 (with default pencil tip that comes with it)
-Radioshack 60/40 .032 diameter Rosin Core solder
-Helping hand magnifier
Problem #1:
First, I have cleaned the tip of the solder-iron, but cannot tin the tip. Solder just balls up and falls off. I have my heat set at 700F after failing at 500F
Problem#2:
I clip the driver into the “helping hand magnifer” I place the bare part of the wire onto the “” pad of the driver, then I hold the hot iron on top of the wire in an attempt to heat the pad and the wire. The wire never gets hot enough to make the solder flow correctly to make a joint from the wire to the driver pad. the solder usually globs up and clings to the nearest component. Sometimes the solder stick gets stuck to the components while the solder iron is still applied! I cannot figure out why its poorly heating up the components, but im guessing its due to the fact I cannot tin my iron for proper heat transfer.
Question 1: What do I need to get the solder to stick to the tip of the Iron?
Question 2: What is the right temperature to set the AOYUE936 to to solder typical wires to driver/emitter stars? seems I have to have the tip on the components for over a minute before things start to flow/melt, but its usually melting the stuff that was left over on the pad from previous failed attempts.
Question 3: Am I completely failing because I’m not using Flux, but only relying on the rosin core of the solder?
Question 4: this AOYUE fits hakko 936 tips, right now im using T18-I style sharp pencil tip. SHould I get a small chisel style for faster heating of joints?
I get so frustrated with what seems should be a simple task - ‘Heat components/add solder/done.’ I appreciate anyone who takes the time out of their day to give me a few pointers. thanks!