# Soldering Skills

Soldering is a method of connecting two pieces of metal together by melting another filler metal in between them. There are many kinds of soldering, but this article is designed to teach you the basics of electrical soldering.

Author: [Eric Doster](/content/User/273546/Eric+Doster/index.html)  
(with [12 other contributors](/content/Device/History/Soldering/index.html))

## Table of Contents

### Guides

### [Techniques](/content/Device/Soldering#Section_Technique/index.html)

Basic LED Flashlight DIY Soldering Kit Assembly](/content/Guide/Basic+LED+Flashlight+DIY+Soldering+Kit+Assembly/178085/index.html)

Desoldering charging port best practices](/content/Guide/Desoldering+charging+port+best+practices/49949/index.html)

Featured  
How To Solder The iFixit Joule Thief Flashlight Kit](/content/Guide/How+To+Solder+The+iFixit+Joule+Thief+Flashlight+Kit/222481/index.html)

Featured  
How To Solder and Desolder Connections](/content/Guide/How+To+Solder+and+Desolder+Connections/750/index.html)

How to Clean Up Solder Pads](/content/Guide/How+to+Clean+Up+Solder+Pads/20699/index.html)

How to Clean and Tin a Soldering Iron Tip](/content/Guide/How+to+Clean+and+Tin+a+Soldering+Iron+Tip/175931/index.html)

Featured  
How to Fix a Solder Bridge](/content/Guide/How+to+Fix+a+Solder+Bridge/161034/index.html)

How to Make an Affordable Soldering Fume Extractor](/content/Guide/How+to+Make+an+Affordable+Soldering+Fume+Extractor/170836/index.html)

How to Splice Wire](/content/Guide/How+to+Splice+Wire/170901/index.html)

How to Use a Desoldering Pump](/content/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Desoldering+Pump/142538/index.html)

How to Use the Soldering Splint](/content/Guide/How+to+Use+the+Soldering+Splint/177907/index.html)

Mini Digital Oscilloscope DIY Soldering Kit Assembly](/content/Guide/Mini+Digital+Oscilloscope+DIY+Soldering+Kit+Assembly/178126/index.html)

Tips on How to micro Solder on a budget](/content/Guide/Tips+on+How+to+micro+Solder+on+a+budget/61535/index.html)

Wire Stripping](/content/Guide/Wire+Stripping/11008/index.html)

## Soldering, Reimagined

Heats Fast, Runs for Hours Anywhere You Repair

## Documents

Learn to Solder Poster](/content/Document/hluyMZyHSkL3bMFn/FixHub_Soldering-Poster_006.pdf?referrer=wiki%3A9472/index.html)

Soldering is Easy Comic Book (PDF)](/content/Document/ZUZxFKeZAqOB6XfF/How_to_Solder_Comic_Book.pdf?referrer=wiki%3A9472/index.html)

## Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

- [Desoldering Pump](/content/products/desoldering-pump/index.html)
- [FixHub Portable Soldering Station](/content/products/fixhub-power-series-portable-soldering-station/index.html)
- [Soldering Iron 60w Hakko 503F](/content/products/soldering-iron-60w-hakko-503f/index.html)
- [Soldering Workstation](/content/products/soldering-workstation/index.html)
- [Solder Wick Braid](/content/products/solder-wick-braid/index.html)
- [iFixit Desoldering Wick](/content/products/ifixit-desoldering-wick/index.html)
- [Lead-Free Solder](/content/products/lead-free-solder/index.html)
- [Digital Multimeter](/content/products/digital-multimeter/index.html)
- [FixHub Smart Soldering Iron](/content/products/fixhub-power-series-smart-soldering-iron/index.html)
- [Heat Gun](/content/products/heat-gun/index.html)

## Safety Procedures

Soldering can be dangerous if you don't follow a few basic safety procedures. You are working with tools that are hot, and melted metals. You want to make sure you don't burn yourself. It's a good idea not to wear loose-fitting clothing that could get in the way when you are working, as well as tie your hair back if it is long. It is also important to wash your hands after you do any soldering. Some solder contains lead, and you don't want to be eating that.

1. **The iron is hot**. Very hot. You will burn yourself from time to time but these are rarely anything to be concerned about.
2. **Work in a well-ventilated area.** The fumes are not fun.
3. **Always wear safety goggles.** Flying molten lead hurts and both solder and flux can splash.
4. **Wash your hands, ya filthy animal!** Leaded solder contains lead (!). 'Hobby'-levels of leaded soldering do not represent a significant health risk, although you should wash your hands after handling it, especially before eating, smoking, and interacting with children, who are especially sensitive to the effects of lead exposure.