# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering/making-a-good-solder-joint.md

# Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering

## Making a good solder joint

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/017/medium800/tools_2012_09_05_IMG_0643-1024.jpg?1396778273)

Once you have prepared the your tools and the joint to be soldered, making&nbsp;a good solder joint requires just a few simple steps.

## Heat the joint
Heat the joint with the tip of the iron. &nbsp;Be sure to heat both the solder pad and the component lead or pin. &nbsp;A small drop of solder on the tip will help to transfer the heat to the joint quickly.![tools_Heating.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/968/medium640/tools_Heating.jpg?1396777898)

## Apply the solder
Touch the end of the solder to the joint so that it contacts both the solder pad and the component lead or pin. &nbsp;It should melt and flow smoothly onto both the pin and the pad. &nbsp; If the solder does not flow, heat the joint for another second or two&nbsp;and try again.&nbsp;  
![tools_Apply_Solder.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/996/medium640/tools_Apply_Solder.jpg?1396778099)

## Let It Flow
Keep heating the solder and allow it to flow into the joint. It should fill the hole and flow smoothly onto both the solder pad and the pin or component lead.  
  

## Let It Cool
Once enough solder has been added to the joint and it has flowed well onto both the component lead and the solder pad, remove the iron from the joint and allow it to cool undisturbed.   
![tools_flow.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/999/medium640/tools_flow.jpg?1396778104)

## Trim the Lead
Use your diagonal cutters to trim the lead close to the board.  
  
_Note: This step applies only to components with wire leads. &nbsp;It is not necessary to trim the pins on Integrated circuit chips or sockets._![tools_Trim.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/002/medium640/tools_Trim.jpg?1396778170)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/017/179/medium800/tools_Nice_Work.jpg?1401968199)

## Congratulations!
Reward yourself with a [Soldering Badge](http://www.adafruit.com/products/465 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/465").![tools_solderingbadge_MED.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/028/medium640/tools_solderingbadge_MED.jpg?1396778342)

## Problems?
The last page of this guide&nbsp;illustrates a number of common soldering problems with advice on prevention and repair. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/031/medium800/tools_IBM.jpg?1396778365)

- [Previous Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering/preparation.md)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering/surface-mount.md)

## Featured Products

### Panavise Jr.

[Panavise Jr.](https://www.adafruit.com/product/151)
The best mini-vise for working on smaller PCBs (2.875" or less in one dimension)! The jaws are strong plastic that wont damage the PCB and doesn't mind if you hit it with the soldering iron by accident. Made in the USA.

- The easy-to-use single knob controls head movement...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/151)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/151/guides)
### Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers

[Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
These are the finest wire strippers we have used, and if you have to do a lot of wiring, you will agree! They have soft rounded grips - very comfortable to use, and precision ground notches that do a perfect job every time. No more yanking or twisting to strip wires cleanly and quickly.<br...></br...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/527/guides)
### Mini Solder spool - 60/40 lead rosin-core solder 0.3mm diameter

[Mini Solder spool - 60/40 lead rosin-core solder 0.3mm diameter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/145)
If you want to make a kit you'll need some solder. This 100g (about 1/4 lb) spool is just the right amount, not too much (like 1 lb spools) and not too little (like those little 'pocket clip' vials). 0.3mm diameter, 60/40 'no clean' rosin core. Good for all through-hole...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/145)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/145/guides)
### Solder sucker

[Solder sucker](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148)
Strangely enough, that's the technical term for this desoldering vacuum tool. Useful in cleaning up mistakes, every electrical engineer has one of these on their desk.

To use, depress the end to engage the vacuum. Then heat up the to-be-desoldered joint until it is liquid. With your...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/148/guides)
### Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long

[Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149)
Used along with the solder sucker to clean up soldering messes. Wick really comes in handy when soldering or desoldering surface-mount parts. Even if you don't have the best iron for SMT work, a bit of wick will fix it up.

1.5mm wick, and 1.5m long, so you have plenty to work...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/149/guides)
### Soldering iron stand

[Soldering iron stand](https://www.adafruit.com/product/150)
A real stand with sponge and solidly-built sheet metal holder prevents your iron from 'rolling away' or burning a hole in the table. If you're starting out and have a 'pen type' soldering iron, this is essential for your safety. Comes with a sponge, too!

**<a...></a...>**

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/150)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/150/guides)
### Adjustable 30W 110V soldering iron

[Adjustable 30W 110V soldering iron](https://www.adafruit.com/product/180)
This 'pen-style' soldering iron is just about the best entry-level tool I've seen. It's not as powerful as a Weller WES51 but it _is_ self-contained and easy to use. With proper care, it will last for many years. Turn it off when not in use, clean the plated tip with a...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/180)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/180/guides)
### Learn to solder - Skill badge, iron-on patch

[Learn to solder - Skill badge, iron-on patch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/465)
You can solder! Adafruit offers a fun and exciting "badges" of achievement for electronics, science and engineering. We believe everyone should be able to be rewarded for learning a useful skill, a badge is just one of the many ways to show and share.  
  
This is the "I...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/465)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/465/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Blinka Says Tabletop Arcade Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/blinka-says-tabletop-arcade-game.md)
- [Water Drip Dress with Oozemaster 3000](https://learn.adafruit.com/water-drip-dress-with-oozemaster-3000.md)
- [Floor Lamp with NeoPixels and WLED Custom Animations](https://learn.adafruit.com/floor-lamp-with-wled.md)
- [Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx](https://learn.adafruit.com/space-shuttle-discovery-solder-kit.md)
- [USB Rechargeable Mini Solder Fume Extractor](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-rechargeable-mini-solder-fume-extractor.md)
- [Cartoon Character Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-character-clock.md)
- [Collin's Lab: Soldering](https://learn.adafruit.com/collins-lab-soldering.md)
- [SMT Breadboard Prototyping Using Breakout PCBs](https://learn.adafruit.com/smt-prototyping-using-breakout-pcbs.md)
- [Motion-Activated Solder Fume Extractor With Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/motion-activated-solder-fume-extractor-with-lamp.md)
- [Color Balancing Video Camera Light feat. DotStars](https://learn.adafruit.com/color-balancing-light-box-with-dotstar-cool-warm-white-leds.md)
- [Ambient Sound Machine](https://learn.adafruit.com/ambient-machine.md)
- [DIY On/Off JST Switch Adapter](https://learn.adafruit.com/on-slash-off-switches.md)
- [IoT Moon Phase Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/moon-phase.md)
- [CNC Rotary Macropad](https://learn.adafruit.com/cnc-rotary-macropad.md)
- [Secret Hollow Book Intrusion Detector](https://learn.adafruit.com/secret-hollow-book.md)