| Soldering is a method of joining two metals together | | | | soldering them. |
| using a third metal, called solder. Soldering has many | | | | Basic Soldering Process |
| applications including assembling electronic components | | | | In RC work, hand soldering requires a soldering iron and |
| to circuit boards, jewelry making, making some copper | | | | solder. Before doing any soldering, make sure the work |
| pipe plumbing connections, and building or repairing radio | | | | area is safe and well-ventilated. Clear the area of any |
| controlled vehicles. | | | | flammable materials, such as nitro fuel bottles and |
| For radio controlled vehicle hobbyists soldering is | | | | oil-covered rags. While the soldering iron is heating up, |
| mostly used in making repairs and modifications to | | | | assemble the parts you're working with and get them |
| electric RCs. Occasionally it might be needed with | | | | in position for soldering. Be sure the wires or whatever |
| some nitro RC components. Knowing basic soldering | | | | parts you're joining are clean and grease-free. Even |
| techniques can save money. Instead of replacing a | | | | grease from your fingers can cause problems with the |
| high dollar part, solder a loose wire yourself. | | | | solder joint. |
| What Needs Soldering on an RC | | | | Using the hot soldering iron heat the two metal parts to |
| The RC parts that most commonly might need some | | | | be joined, at the same time. Apply a few millimeters of |
| soldering are ESCs (electronic speed controllers), | | | | solder to the heated metal to form the solder joint. The |
| electric motor power leads, receivers, servos, and | | | | heated metal parts will melt the solder metal to form |
| anyplace where wires are spliced together to make a | | | | the joint. |
| solid connection. Soldering may be necessary when | | | | After the joint cools it should have a nice, shiny |
| building RCs from kits. | | | | appearance. If it looks a little clouded it means that the |
| Soldering is not usually a frequently needed repair with | | | | solder didn't flow right and that the solder itself just |
| most RCs but it is a nice skill to have. Some of these | | | | formed a glob around the parts and that they are not |
| components are relatively inexpensive and it can be | | | | really joined together. Reheat the solder enough to get |
| much easier to simply replace the part rather than try | | | | it to flow and so that it bonds properly to the parts that |
| to repair them. Or, you might find it simpler to purchase | | | | are meant to be joined together. |
| quick connect leads to connect some wires instead of | | | | |