Basic Soldering Question Regarding 1/4" Jacks

[ndrwb]

I'm working on my soldering technique and have seen plenty of tutorials and tips on wire to wire and wire to PCB board. What about wire to the flat surfaces like on 1/4" audio jacks?

[haveyouseenhim]

Make sure your tip is good and tinned for good heat transfer. Then press it to the jack's tab for 3 to 5 seconds to heat it up a little. Then apply solder until it bridges the little hole.

[chromesphere]

Ive found solder sticks much easier on switchcraft jack lugs then any other economy jacks i've used in the past.  It just flows straight on.  Economy jacks seem to need a hell of a lot of heat before they stick, and have a much higher chance of forming a cold solder joint.

Paul

[amptramp]

It should be similar to soldering to pot lugs.  Make sure you have enough heat transfer - the tip tends to skin over with oxides in a short time, so make sure you clean it immediately before you solder.  I use the water-wetted sponge on the iron stand.  Some people object, but the vigourous boiling detaches any oxidation and leaves a good surface for heat transfer.

[RandomGlitch]

I scratch the surface with some emery paper or little file then clean it off with some alcohol (meths) to get rid of any grease from manufacture or fingers. Then do what they ^ said!

[Kesh]

clean the surface with some alcohol, it may have got all greasy if you've been touching it