Soldering

[Sic]

What are some good things to practice to work on my soldering technique? I just started my first pedal, and i am a bit concerned about my soldering, to be honest, i just sucks.
 I think i somehow ruined my tip because it has gone a funny shape, and part of it has worn away.
 I've been reading some basic soldering guides and they have given me some good advice, but i guess practice will make perfect?

Should i just practice my solder, as in, not actually making something, but just practicing making a good joint?

Any pointers will be appreciated

-sic

[Peter Snowberg]

I think soldering a bunch of resistors for practice is a pretty good way to go. You could use a piece of pad-per-hole perf and a bunch of cheap resistors. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/ has 1,000 pieces for $3. I would get a value you can use for future projects if you go that route.

Just remember to use the iron to heat the work and let the hot work actually melt the solder.

Oh, and I would recommend using nothing but 63/37 solder because it's much easier to work with than 60/40.

If your tip is corroded, get another one pronto. Imagine trying to tighten a screw with a broken screwdriver. It just doesn't pay to work with broken tools.

Once you have good tools, the rest is all practice. You'll get it down.

Take care,
-Peter

[Sic]

haha, circuit specials is just where i got a shipment from, they are in fact just down the road from me in Scottsdale, Arizona. I got the free Multi-meter with a $50 purchase =D. I'm really happy with that meter as opposed to the one i got from wal-mart for $10 =/

Thanks for the tips peter, i was thinking that i should get a new tip as soon as i noticed something "unusual". Just something funky about it going mis-shapen.

-sic