Solder technique: Over or Under?

[MacMeter]

While I have yet to delve into actual small component electronics soldering, I have watched and enjoyed many of the videos here as well as linked YouTube videos. The closest I've done are LED ribbon pad soldering. I tend to have to do more larger wire joining, and have watched a few videos on that.

So to the question for the experts here, this video asks and answers the question if "under" positioning of the iron is actually the best technique. Almost all of what I've read and seen suggests that is the best technique, but this video tries to prove the opposite. Perhaps this is only pertinent to the larger wire joining example in the video, as opposed to much smaller electronics type soldering, but I am curious as to the opinions of experienced folks here, the video is NOT long, so if you have a few minutes, check it out. THANKS!

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

What's "sodering" ? From below he's doing it wrong has to begin adding the tin to the iron until the wire begins to suck it, of course not on top of the cold wire, not until it's hot enough.

[basinstreetdesign]

   Just do it!  above, below, it doesn't matter.  Just do what works for you.  All I know is that you need to get a good heat bridge between the tip and the workpiece to make the solder melt well into the joint.  IMHO you have better things to do with your time than this.  You will learn best along the way while building.

[Audioguru]

You need to drip the "soder" from way up high!

[FlyingHacker]

Start with flux... I use the paste... just rub a little on the wires with your fingers, or dip the ends of the wire in the paste before you join them.

Then I start with the iron below, solder on top, bit frequently end with the iron on top to smear the solder around up there as well. I don't think it matters so much so long as you heat things, apply solder, remove solder, remove heat. Most importantly keep the joint absolutely still until it cools (a few seconds or less unless the thing being soldered has a very large thermal mass).

And just keep doing it until you find a way that works for you.

[xrunner]

Over?

Under?

I put mine on the side. 

[Shock]

Towards the end of the video he showed his bias, he received a large burn 20 years ago from putting his hand under,  his hands were about as steady as a drunken rabbi when he tried it.

He solders from the bottom, applies solder to the top. Solders from the top, applies solder to the top so no wonder it was faster. Case closed.

[Luminax]

"I shall solder from whichever direction I damn well pleased!"

Taken from some possibly movie in some possible time in some possible universe 

[Brumby]

I never knew this was an issue ...

To me, soldering correctly involves producing a good, strong connection without damaging the items getting soldered, any surrounding material or injuring to persons ... and ... doing so quickly and with minimal wastage is preferred.

Never thought there was a question of which way is up.

[Brumby]

I'd like to see anyone do hand soldering of SMD from underneath.....

[Luminax]

I'd like to see anyone do hand soldering of SMD from underneath.....

That's easy! flip the board around and *sounds of components faling* crap.... 

[Zero999]

What's "sodering" ?

In US English the "l" in soldering is silent.

[Rerouter]

For me, it comes down to what i am intending, if i want excess solder in the joint, say its a very large wire that i'm thermally struggling with, I'll feed from the top, excess will build up, and then i'll heat from the bottom and it will knit and distribute on its way down,

Add from top leads to excess,
Heating from bottom can lead to a very lean joint,
heating from the side is the ideal, but harder to manage with thin wires,

There all just small tricks, and it comes down to what your trying to do, gravity is both your friend and foe, when its molten its both tugged to the heat source and tugged down by gravity, by varying your position you can change the amount of solder that can be bonded to the wire in a reliable joint.

[daveyk]

This reminds me of Archie Bunker and Meathead arguing on if it's better to put on a sock and then a shoe or put on both socks and then the shoes in case of a fire - lol

I solder on both sides!


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[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

What's "sodering" ?

In US English the "l" in soldering is silent.

All over the USA?

[daveyk]

What's "sodering" ?

In US English the "l" in soldering is silent.

All over the USA?

I don't understand that. I pronounce it "sod"-"er"-"ing".




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[tooki]

What's "sodering" ?

In US English the "l" in soldering is silent.

All over the USA?

Yes. It's not some weird regionalism, it's absolutely standard pronunciation in USA (and Canada, I believe). You'll always find some Americans who pronounce the L because they learned the written word before ever hearing it pronounced.

[Luminax]

I just can't resist commenting on this video...

The title should've been "Soldering using the wrong method is wrong" 

If I were one of the great solderer I would head him off at the pass
"YOU SHALL NOT SOLDER!"

[rrinker]

 What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the capitol of Assyria?


 What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the color code of a 1K resistor?
      1% or 10%?
 I don't know that.....

[boffin]

What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the capitol of Assyria?


 What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the color code of a 1K resistor?
      1% or 10%?
 I don't know that.....

What's the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

[Monkeh]

What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the capitol of Assyria?


 What is your quest?

 What is your favorite solder?

 What is the color code of a 1K resistor?
      1% or 10%?
 I don't know that.....

What's the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

African or European swallow?

[Zero999]

All the discussion about radiation and convection is irrelevant because conduction is the main vector for transferring heat to the workpiece. Air has a very low heat capacity so doesn't do much and metal is reflective so looses very little heat due to radiation.

I also suspect his soldering iron was a little too hot, going by how quickly the solder was oxidising and the flux evaporating.

As others have said, do what works best for you. I solder from the side most of the time. I can also hold both wires side by side with one hand so I don't need to twist them together or use a vice.

[Gregg]

Soldering is more skill than it is science; you are free to create your masterpieces (or pieces of s___ or whatever) in any way that works best for you and the situation at hand.
Another analogy is that it is like learning to ride a bicycle in that after enough practice you won’t have to think about the exact method every second you are soldering.  There are no absolute correct methods, plenty of poor methods and almost infinitely variable parameters.
One parameter that hasn’t been mentioned so far in this thread is the importance of not moving the soldered joint as the solder is solidifying.

[james_s]

Yes. It's not some weird regionalism, it's absolutely standard pronunciation in USA (and Canada, I believe). You'll always find some Americans who pronounce the L because they learned the written word before ever hearing it pronounced.

I've heard some Canadians pronounce the L, sounds weird to me but that's only because I'd only ever heard it pronounced with the silent L.

[John B]

Once I start joining thicker wires, I prefer to use a hydraulic crimping tool over soldering. Thick wire draws heat away from the soldering area, and the solder wicks down the wire making an large inflexible area. Maybe not worth worrying too much inside a small piece of electronics equipment, but its my default method now in automotive applications where the wiring is out in the open and needs some flex.