Decided on a whim to swap out my MIM P bass pickups for a Steve Harris SD. Anyone got recommendations for some good soldering basic how to videos? I've soldered pipe…..soldered stained glass. Time for new things. 
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Soldering videos
- Thread starter Staredge
- Start date
Decided on a whim to swap out my MIM P bass pickups for a Steve Harris SD. Anyone got recommendations for some good soldering basic how to videos? I've soldered pipe…..soldered stained glass. Time for new things.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
You'll probably want a 25-ish watt iron. 40 watts max. Doesn't need to be fancy. Amazon has hundreds to chose from. Or check your local hardware store. Usually the kits that include a few soldering aids/tools are a good place to start. Be sure you can get extra tips of different sizes/shapes for your iron. This will be useful for different soldering situations. The trick is to have enough heat for the job without applying too much so as to damage the part, or melt back the wire's insulation.
Likewise, how-to videos abound. But one inportant task is learning how to tin the tip.
You'll want to search for info about how to do that.
The solder normally used for plumbing and stained glass is not suitable for electronics. You'll want Rosin core. This is a flux inside the solder that aids with solder flow and promotes better joints. The best type of solder for electronics is a 60/40 mix. Personally I find that lead free solder is harder to work with. It is required in manufacturing but not for repair, DIY, hobby use. I would suggest a well ventilated space, and or fans regardless of lead or not.
For those new to soldering, a little practice goes a long way.
Good luck.
