Learn to Solder Kit

Overview

The Learn to Solder Kit is a bag of electronics that, when combined with this page, acts as a good first soldering project.

The kit in its final, working state.

What's in the bag

The kit contains:

• A Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
• An LED
• A 220 Ohm (Ω) Resistor
• A push button
• A battery holder
• A battery (CR2032)

Tools Required

• 

  Weller WES51 Soldering Station*

• 

  Solder

• 

  Flush Cutters

• 

  Filter Fan

* denotes that the tool requires training.

Soldering Tips

• Complete the Soldering Station training module on the Sandbox ELMS / Canvas course!
• Soldering is done by heating the pins/pads on the circuit board and component, then touching the solder to the hot metal to make a connection. The solder will melt and be wicked into the connection, ensuring a good mechanical and electrical connection. Melting solder onto cold component leads will make bad connections.
• Clean the tip of the iron often with either a brass sponge or a soldering sponge moistened with distilled water. Each time you clean the tip, melt some solder onto it to "tin" the tip. Tinning the tip makes soldering easier but also protects the tip from damage from oxidation.
• Keep the extractor fan as close as is comfortable to the part you're soldering and oriented so it pulls smoke away from you. This will keep irritating smoke out of your lungs.
• If the solder isn't melting when you touch it to the iron, increase the temperature. (650-700°F is recommended for lead-free solder.)
• Use as little solder as is necessary to make the connection. This will make it easier to correct mistakes and will reduce the chance of solder bridging between components, causing a short circuit.
• If the solder isn't adhering to the pins/pads, make sure the components are clean and try adding flux.

Tutorial

Setup

• Set the soldering station temperature to 650°F and wait about 30 seconds for it to heat up. Turn on the extractor fan and position it so it draws the smoke away from you.
  
• Remove the components from the Learn To Solder kit bag.

Step 1: The Resistor

The resistor is the small component with long leads and stripes on it. It belongs in the metal shell logo on the PCB. Orientation does not matter for this component.

Bend the leads of the resistor inwards. They should be about the same distance apart as the holes in the PCB.

Slide the resistor into its holes on the PCB. When it is all the way in, flip the board and bend the leads outward so that the resistor can't fall back out.

Finally, solder the connections and snip off the free ends of the leads.

• 

  Bend the leads of the resistor

• 

  Insert the resistor into the holes on the PCB.

• 

  On the opposite side of the board, bend the leads of the resistor outwards so that it can't move.

• 

  Solder the leads to the board

• 

  Snip the excess with the flush cutters.

Step 2: The Switch

The switch is the square component with a button and four pins.

Its footprint on the circuit board is marked by a "SW1".

With the legs facing out to the sides, simply put the legs through the holes.

When it is pushed all the way in, it should be held in with just tension.

Flip the board and solder all four legs. No need to snip anything yet.

• 

  Place the switch

• 

  Solder the legs

Step 3: The LED

The LED is the component with the color plastic top and two legs.

One leg is longer than the other, this is the positive (+) leg. Orientation does matter for this component.

Its place on the PCB is marked with a - and a + (Long Leg). Place the LED into its correct holes.

Flip the board, bend the leads, and solder them as before.

Snip the excess as before.

• 

  Confirm that the short leg goes in the - hole and the long leg goes in the + hole.

• 

  Slide it in

• 

  Bend the leads

• 

  Solder and snip

Step 4: The Battery Holder

The battery holder is the beige component three leads. Orientation does matter for this component.

The lead by itself is the negative (-) lead, and the two leads on the other side are both positive (+).

Its place on the PCB is marked on the backside of the PCB with a "BT1". It also indicates that the battery should be 3V (3 Volts).

Before placing the battery holder, use the flush cutters to snip any raised solder joints from the other components. Make the surface as flush as you can.

Once that's done, place the battery holder into its holes.

Note: The negative lead of the battery holder might be too long to fit under the button. If you can't get that flush, snip about a millimeter off of that lead.

The positive leads can be soldered from the opposite side as normal, but the negative one cannot because of the button on the other side.

Solder the negative lead on the top. It is harder than soldering from the opposite side, but this is a good opportunity to practice difficult soldering positions.

• 

  Snip the joints so that the surface is as flush as possible

• 

  Place the battery holder in (shortening the - lead if necessary)

• 

  Solder the + leads

• 

  Solder the - lead from the top

Step 5: The Battery

This one's easy. There's only one component left, and it's the battery.

The battery has a + and a - side. Recognize the + sign on the top of the battery.

Place the battery in the holder, + side up.

• 

  Place the battery in the holder

Finish!

Congratulations! You've finished your first soldering project! Press the button, and the LED should light up!