Soldering a 3pdt pcb

[Fndr8875]

Ive got a new fuzz pcb, a new 3pdt switch and pcb for the switch. The first one i tried the switch didnt work, i can plug the fuzz pcb into my breadboard and it works fine. Im sure i put to much solder on the 3pdt pcb which created bridges or over heated the switch. So how does everyone recommend i solder it? The first one I pushed the pcb down as far as it could go over the poles of the switch, and used as little solder as i could, enought to fill the circular solder pads. I was thinking this time i should orient it just far enough down to make contact, and use less solder, not filling the circular pads in all the way, just enough to make contact with the poles on switch and pads on pcb. I found that once its soldered once your pretty much done with any chance of removing the pcb, so im questioning wether i should even use it or just wire it regular. Its very handy being able to wire resistor, led, power, grounds and jacks to pcb though. Also regarding the 3pdt switch and debugging, all the searches ive done say as long as your multimeter shows continuity between 1st and 2nd row, and 2nd and third row when switching back and forth the switch will work, is this correct? I still have the first 3pdt i ever bought, and the lugs have shifted and it looks terrible, but still get continuity when tested.

[thermionix]

Hard to guess without seeing it, but too much heat is probably the most common soldering mistake.

[davent]

I haven't tried any of those pCb's but to me they look like you'd need much more and longer heating to get solder to bridge the gaps between the lug and pad then if you just wrapped a piece of wire around the lug and a quick in and out solder.
dave

[darron]

Hard to guess without seeing it, but too much heat is probably the most common soldering mistake.

+1. probably anyway.

the epoxy that holds the terminals is very heat sensitive. when you use a PCB at the top and you're only that quarter of a second longer soldering than you need to be, the lug can shift just a tiny tiny bit. that tiny bit might mean it's not making contact anymore.

just get out the multi meter and use a continuity test between all the lugs to know if you need to throw it out or of its another problem.

i have also heard of one experienced person accidentally making a bridge underneath which they found out in diagnosis like you said. for me though, i like to hope i'd notice that i'd be putting in way too much solder before that happens.