Soldering is a method of joining metal parts using an alloy of low melting point (solder) below 450 °C (800 °F). Heat is applied to the metal parts, and the alloy metal is pressed against the joint, melts, and is drawn into the joint by capillary action and around the materials to be joined by 'wetting action'. After the metal cools, the resulting joints are not as strong as the base metal, but have adequate strength, electrical conductivity, and water-tightness for many uses. Soldering is an ancient technique that has been used practically as long as humans have been making articles out of metal.

Soldering can be done in a number of ways, including passing parts over a bulk container of melted solder, using an infrared lamp, or by using a point source such as an electric soldering iron, a brazing torch, or a hot-air soldering tool. Flux is usually used to assist in the joining process. Flux can be manufactured as part of the solder in single or multi-core solder, in which case it is contained inside a hollow tube or multiple tubes that are contained inside the strand of solder. Flux can also be applied separately from the solder, often in the form of a paste. In some fluxless soldering, a forming gas that is a reducing atmosphere rich in hydrogen can also serve much the same purpose as traditional flux, and provide the benefits of traditional flux in re-flow ovens through which electronic parts placed on a circuit card are transported for a specific period of time.

One application of soldering is making connections between electronic parts and printed circuit boards. Another is in plumbing. Joints in sheet-metal objects such as cans for food, roof flashing, and drain gutters were also traditionally soldered. Jewelry and small mechanical parts are often assembled by soldering. Soldering can also be used as a repair technique to patch a leak in a container or cooking vessel.

More on [ Soldering ]

NYT > Home & Garden

In Ancient Alleys, Modern Comforts
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:48:37 -0000
Some of Beijing’s traditional courtyard homes are being refurbished with a mix of modern sensibility and respect for original detail.
What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:39:16 -0000
As the popularity of granite countertops has increased, so have reports that some are emitting radiation and radon at surprisingly high levels.
On Location: A Spare Stage for the Spectacle of Life
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:21:32 -0000
Carlos Brillembourg, an architect, and Karin Waisman, an artist, built a modern house in the Hamptons that is spacious, spare and stylish.
Shopping for New York Necessities With Alisa Grifo
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:23:07 -0000
Alisa Grifo’s store, Kiosk, presents a collection of useful, often unusual, products from around the world. She searched New York for unexpected, quirky selections.
In the Garden: Raindrops Keep Falling in My Tank
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:56:33 -0000
You won’t save a lot of money harvesting rainwater but you’ll save water.
The Fix: Time to Worry About Heat Bills
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:38:16 -0000
It may seem like an odd time to be thinking about heating your house, but this is a good moment to do so.

L.A. Times - Home & Garden

Robert Irwin still marvels at Getty gardens 10 years later
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The artist, creator of the controversial gardens, may no longer have design oversight but his vision has established deep roots. ARTIST Robert Irwin, designer of the Central Garden at the Getty Center, sits on a small curved bench in the dappled shade of London plane trees he chose. In the 10 years since the garden opened, the trees haven't quite created the canopy Irwin envisioned, but they will -- just without him around.
A rare Luis Barragán fountain at an L.A. home? Maybe
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
A storied party house's design centerpiece comes with a tale of its own. UNUSUAL homes often inspire wonder, but for residents of L.A.'s Beverly Crest neighborhood, the 1927 house has long seemed particularly curious, hidden behind a two-story, reddish wall that runs the length of the lot. "Every time someone from the neighborhood finds out that I own the property," Eugene Leoni said, "they're always dying to know: What's behind that wall?"
Pearl Fryar, topiary hero
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The documentary film 'A Man Named Pearl' explores the Southerner's passion for tree sculpting, which has become his life's work. IN AN era when superheroes dominate the box office, a documentary about a lanky, 68-year-old topiary artist in the rural South hardly sounds like an attention-grabber. Yet “A Man Named Pearl,” which opens in limited release this week in Southern California, delivers a compelling tale of an ordinary man with extraordinary abilities.
Don't ask why -- just enjoy deals
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
BLAME THE sluggish economy, or thank the pending arrival of fall home furnishings collections. Either way, you'll see the same word in store windows: sale.
Chris Erskine: The family attempts a budget
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
It's basics first: Teach the kids what a lawn mower is. SO, POSH canceled last week's attempt at a ceiling fan installation when she realized it was just a giant, spinning aphrodisiac, and our summer of love ended in the third week of July. Just ahead: a long and lonely winter.
International Antiques Fair heads to Redondo Beach
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The Redondo Beach International Antiques Fair returns to the city's Performing Arts Center this weekend. The lineup will include furniture, textiles, art glass, silver, sculpture, paintings, prints and rare books. The show runs 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10. A preview will be held at 10 a.m. Friday; the $30 fee ($25 in advance) includes admission for the weekend. The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center is at Aviation and Manhattan Beach boulevards. Information: (310) 287-1896, www.theosatco.com .

Denver Post: Lifestyle

How'dYouKnow?
editor@denverpost.com (The Denver Post) Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:31:36 -0600
The winner: Edward Hocker, Colorado Springs
Parade of Homes begins Saturday
ejeerson@denverpost.com (By Elana Ashanti Jefferson / The Denver Post) Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:17:19 -0600
Touring luxury show homes when the housing market is on the rocks seems a little like sitting through stand-up comedy during a bout of the blues.
Save me . . .
editor@denverpost.com (The Denver Post) Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:53:06 -0600
After reading last week's Room cover story about the many Denver hotels undergoing renovations, William Barnes with National Hotel Liquidators sent out an alert for penny pinchers.

Subscribe to Home RSS feed