2 Questions: Input Cap and Soldering Irons

[BarnabyHooge]

1. I'm building Joe Gagans Easy Face from Tonepad and it calls for a .01uf electrolytic Cap. I can't seem to find these anywhere so I'm wondering if I'm a. reading it wrong, or b. haven't yet properly learned how to use the internet to buy things. If I can't find one, will another keep the pedal from working?

2. I bought a standard orange Weller 25w soldering iron. It seems like like no matter how hard I try the tip always gets filthy half way through my work. Is this because it's not temp controled? I've done pages and pages of reading on soldering and I am convinced I am doing everythign I am supposed to to keep it clean.


any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

2. I bought a standard orange Weller 25w soldering iron. It seems like like no matter how hard I try the tip always gets filthy half way through my work. Is this because it's not temp controled? I've done pages and pages of reading on soldering and I am convinced I am doing everythign I am supposed to to keep it clean.

If it is getting dirty HALF way through the job, then you need to clean it - eg poking it into a wire tip cleaner or wiping on a damp sponge -  a QUARTER of the way through the job.

And, as you suspect, there is no such thing as a .01 electrolytic.
I'd go greencap myself.

[BarnabyHooge]

Could it be that I'm cleaning it too much? I use the damp spunge every two or so joints. I just thought I read somewhere that the non-temp controled irons shouldn't be left on for an extended periods.


Thanks for ansering the cap question. I was hoping that was the case.

[soulsonic]

Most of what dirties up the tip is the burning flux residue.
But is your tip actually DIRTY, or is just turning that dull nasty color? There's a big difference here.
If it's turning dull-looking, it's because the tip isn't being kept properly tinned with solder. It's good to wipe the tip off on the sponge to get the flux gunk off, but if you wipe all the solder off the tip it will start to turn dull and that's not good. If you wipe the tip and then immediately solder a joint, that's usually okay because you're putting more solder on when you're doing the joint, but if you wipe the tip and then let the iron sit there for a couple minutes while you're doing something else, then it's absolutely crucial that you melt some solder onto the tip to keep it tinned while it sits. Failure to do so will dramatically reduce the life of the tip.

[BarnabyHooge]

DING!

It just gets dull/nasty after awhile,I think that must be it. You just saved me a bunch of time and $$.

Thanks guys!

[Tony Forestiere]

Just my $.02.
Are you using "bargain basement" solder

[BarnabyHooge]

I honeslty don't know. I think I got it from Home Depot........ What should I be using?

[DougH]

A .01u will typically not be electrolytic. Film or ceramic will work just fine.