Straight Leads

[Leo_Gnardo]

I have no idea what it is called I got it from a estate sale the guy was a repair man and had a 50 yr collection

I got a similar one in a similar way, wooden handle, it's the bees knees.

[boots]

+1 to rolling the leads on a flat surface to straighten them - works for axial lead components like resistors. For radial leads, you're probably stuck smashing them flat with pliers.

Also, +1 to cleaning the leads with a brillo pad before installing them, they solder better when they are shiny clean. Careful you don't twist or pull too hard, or you could damage the component up inside where you can't see the damage.

[dorrisant]

There is one in this set..

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 19&alt=web

Tony

[kkregsg]

Small world. I picked up that exact tool at an estate sale (1/2 off Sunday), inside the case of a Weller solder gun, $5. Never looked at the tool twice until I started building amps and pedals, since then it stays on my work surface.

And I have the solder gun for any brute force attacks I need to make, such as pulling components from a SS organ I deconstructed. Anybody need a Leslie to build a suitcase version? I'll never use it.

[boots]

Every Heathkit used to come with one of those solder aid tools. I used to have several of them around, but they have disappeared over the years. I still have one, and it is one of my favorite tools.

[Structo]

Yep, take a metal ruler and roll the leads on a hard flat surface to get them straight.

Then I use a round needle nose pliers to bend the leads.

As mentioned, 1 watt resistors have thicker leads but sometimes they can hurt you when you have to fit more than two or three leads in an eyelet.

[C Moore]

On a related topic....how do some builders (look at a picture of a Ceriatone) get their solder joints so clean...!!??
There is not a hint of flux anywhere. Do they solder all the parts and leads onto the turret board, and then dip the whole thing in Freon or something.?
Thank You

[eniam rognab]

flux cleans up easily with denatured alcohol and a Q-tip

[gui_tarzan]

For straightening and aligning leads I use a flat plier.

Ditto - flat long needle-nose pliers with just a bit of grip on the last inch or so, the rest is smooth.

[C Moore]

flux cleans up easily with denatured alcohol and a Q-tip

But what do :
Fender
Marshall
Mesa
Ceriatone .....do to get their boards looking so spotless.?
Certainly not human labor and Q-Tips .....which leaves a lot of Q behind.

[M Fowler]

I have a round nosed jewelry pliers for making smooth bends and you can stick the round pliers into the top of the turret and make smooth lead bend around the turret. Also, can be used to straighten the leads.

Mark

[Structo]

You can also get "No Clean" solder.
It still leaves a bit of flux behind but it is clear and not fugly.

[C Moore]

You can also get "No Clean" solder.
It still leaves a bit of flux behind but it is clear and not fugly.

Is it kind of as good as your basic kester 40/60...or 60/40...whatever it is.?
thanks

[boots]

I used to work in a place where we used "no clean" liquid flux for re-working surface mount (SMT) stuff. It was the best flux I ever used, but I don't know where you can buy it in small quantities. You still had to clean the residue, but it is a lot less than most fluxes. It was clear, and looked like water. It sure made beautiful perfect solder joints.

Does anybody know where to buy a small bottle of liquid flux? I can't remember the brand name, but I've seen similar products available. But you have to buy it 5 gallons at a time.

[TUBEDUDE]

Several companies make flux off or a similar product. You can use flux paste then spray away the residue. At Martin Marietta Aerospace the wave soldered boards went into a bath of the stuff and baked dry.