Going to get a job in soldering-Any help?!!

[Deleted]

Hi. I have never taken any courses in soldering, but I have been doing it for years. And next week I am going to an interview where my soldering skills will be put to the test. It is a job as an electronic assembler. I really want to pass it so that maybe other doors will open up for me, and I can finally get a job doing electrical engineering. So any tips will be appreciated. The web site of the company is: www.persistentsystems.com/
I have two issues: In my experience when I use a slightly damp sponge, the tip tends to turn shinny green, and blue, simular to how toxic water looks. And then the tip tends to turn grey, covered in more grey, black solder dross. So I have come to the conclusion that ven a little water tends to oxidise to iron clad of the tip. So what I do is use a dry sponge and flick the dross, and carboration very quickly, whithout burning the sponge(because that wouldnt be good either. Then I retin the tip, and allow the solder to absorb a little, then clean it again slightly. What are your thoughts on this??? technicians that I worked with years ago when I was a QC tech damped the spong, and some of the tips were very much the same way, and some werent. And I had a hard time convincing them about it.

The second is: I have only a little experience doing SM components. I once opened up a watch and soldered wiskers on to the plated tabs were the contact strip of the liquid crystal display went. I dont knw if this company will require SM soldering, or not, but I want to study this just in case. So if you can give me some advise on this subject, then it would also be appreciated. Thank you very kindly

Randy

[Gary Lecomte]

Most Soldering Today is for Surface Mount Devices.
Typically this involves Wave Soldering or the use of a Heat Gun to Float the part in place.
Than there a Ball Grid Arrays, Gets even More Difficuit.

Sorry but my knowledge on the ABOVE is Considerably Limited.

As to Basic Soldering, I suggest you read my Soldering Article.

A GOOD Soldering Tip is NOT Copper Coated. They are usually "Steel Clad", With a Copper or Carbon Core.
And if you Gently Wipe them as needed to keep it shiny and clean, with a Wet Sponge pad, than RE-Tinning it, They will usually last Many Years.
NEVER SCRAPE OR FILE THEM!

I have had some POORLY MADE TIPS, going bad very quickly.
But my Present on is over 8 Years old and I use it Every Day. Still looks Almost New.

Gary

[Deleted]

Just wanted to say thanks for that info gary, and thanks for the question,rothn,,,,. I have now the anserw to why I too have ruined so many tips over the years,,"filed um to to regain tip"
won't do that anymore. I do not have any soldering tipps unless it has to do with plumbing copper pipes, the bigger the easier! Sorry, I am still crawling in electronics,,,but love it more then my plumbing even when I have to go.

[Deleted]

Hey Randy,

Did you get the job? Seems you're very conscientious and deserve the job.

Regards, Joe