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Soldering

You can fix many electrical things by learning how to solder.
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Some small appliances have diodes and other electronic components that can be purchased at an electronics store and soldered in as replacements.


To desolder, heat the joint until the components can be pulled apart. Clean up the joint, then install the components and solder them in place.

Soldering is simply attaching two objects together with a metal alloy, called solder, that melts at relatively low temperature, then hardens into a metal joint. The type of solder used depends on the job: joining copper pipe, electronic parts, or other components. Some solders require a cleaning agent first, called a flux. Other solders have the flux combined with the solder.

Choose a soldering tool (iron, gun), solder, flux, and other tools based on the job you want to do. Follow instructions that come with the soldering tool. Typically that means heating the work (pipe, electrical connection, etc.) with the soldering tool, then touching the solder wire to the work (not the soldering tool) until the solder melts to form a union.

Text by Dan & Judy Ramsey - from "If It's Broke, Fix It!"
Artwork by Dan & Judy Ramsey
Copyright Fix-It Club® © 2003


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