I agree on the pliers but it was a good way to start. It sounds like you
have a lot of the same methods I use.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 11:04 PM
Subject: Re: function box project update
> yep very similar to how I learned as well.
> I am self taught, if that is possible.
> I don't use plyers anymore because for some things they create too much of
> a
> heat sink and the component or wire doesn't get hot enough to melt the
> solder properly, thus causing a cold solder joint.
> For things that aren't adverse to an extra heat sink, i use a bench vice
> to
> hold the components and this works well.
> I have heavy callases on my left hand from playing guitar, so i can touch
> the hot parts for short periods without burning or pain.
> This said, i am limited. for instance, i find soldering those multi-pin
> jacks where there are 8 pins all tight together a real challenge. I tend
> to
> use too much solder and it usually ends up shorting pins together when i
> don't want them to be.
> I think the wahl cold solder iron, which only gets hot when you short the
> tip peaces together on a metal surface might be a great tool for small
> tight
> work.
> I use a couple other methods as well...holding the soldering iron/pen in
> my
> teeth to keep it in one place while i use both hands.
> placing the handle of the iron in a vice and bringing the components to
> it,
> such as when i'm splicing wires.
> I also use a heavy duty glass jar to set the iron in while i'm not using
> it
> and it is still hot.
> I can't say how many times I have knocked the silly thing off the desk or
> table and onto a foot or the floor while i'm working. the glass jar
> prevents this from happening, and prevents accidental burns as well.
> There are a few really great articles on soldering as a blind person, from
> the smith kettlewell institutes magazine that used to circulate.
> I may have the URL for all the articles in my favorites...if i do i'll
> post
> the links up here.
> I think there were 3 in total and they were all very informative and
> helpful.
> Another thing is having the right tip on the iron or gun. If the tip is
> too
> large, you can heat up portions of the work that will melt and cause
> problems. If it is too small, you won't get enough heat transfer and the
> solder won't melt quickly or properly.
> When soldering small contacts, a very small tip works best. when
> soldering
> big stuff, like the tip of a PL259 connecter, you need a big tip that will
> transfer lots of heat and melt the heavy solder that you have to use.
> Of course, the best thing to use with a pl259 is a flame
> torch....something
> with a very very narrow flame and that gets really hot...you can get them
> from nearly any hardware store...they take a regular lighter, sanns the
> flint.
> anyway, i'll see if i can find those articles if no one beats me to it.
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:02 PM
> Subject: Re: function box project update
>
>
>>
>> Actually, no one would show me how, luckily my fingers are so tough they
>> don't burn easy but really, I started by holding my work with needle nose
>> pliers and just following them to the work until I got comfortable. I'm
> not
>> saying I'm great at it, but I have seen a lot worse jobs than mine and
> I've
>> even done a few PL-259 connectors that looked professional. If I could
> only
>> do it consistently I'd be happier with it but oh well. I like being able
> to
>> do that stuff for myself but it's not for everyone, even some sighted
> people
>> won't touch it, some for good reason, others have never tried.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "CHRISTOPHER SCHULTE" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: function box project update
>>
>>
>> > That has to be the one thing that as a ham, I feel ashamed to admit I
>> > don't
>> > know how to do is solder.
>> >
>> > I got my license back in 1996 through studying a "Now You're Talking"
> book
>> > that I purchased through radio shack and someone reading it to me over
> and
>> > over again. I have never taken the time to learn how to solder, and to
> be
>> > quite honest, I'm a little afraid of burning my fingers in trying. How
>> > did
>> > people on this list learn to do this? Were there just sighted Elmers
> that
>> > were patient enough to bear with the mistakes?
>> >
>> > 73,
>> > Chris, w8cjs
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
>> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:07 PM
>> > Subject: function box project update
>> >
>> >
>> >> hey all:
>> >> well, so far, I am making good progress.
>> >> I found out that the 22K and 100K resisters from pin 3 and pin 4 to
>> >> ground
>> >> on the mike jack, do indeed control all four PF buttons, on the ts2000
>> >> and
>> >> tm455 anyway.
>> >> And of course, the same without a resister controls the up/down
>> >> functions.
>> >> So, we have that question out of the way. Now, I wonder if its
>> >> universal.
>> >> I suspect that if it works on the ts-2000, its probably going to work
> on
>> >> any
>> >> of the other kenwood radios that utilize the mc45DM or utilize pf
>> >> keys.
>> >> I mean, the instructions i got were for a TM455, which i believe is an
>> >> older
>> >> radio?
>> >>
>> >> So, now it is just a matter of putting everything together. That is,
>> >> soldering up all the connections with resisters, and mounting the
>> >> switches
>> >> and connecter in the project box...and then the most fun, soldering an
> 8
>> >> wire cat5 cable to the 8 pin microphone connecter....yay.
>> >> I am willing to bet that the electronics place i went to the other day
>> >> will
>> >> make up custom cables for a not too exorbadant cost.
>> >> Perhaps i'll get them to solder those tiny little things instead of me
>> >> fighting with it.
>> >> 73
>> >> Colin, V A6BKX
>> >>
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
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> 9:50 AM
>>
>>
>
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