Speed soldering @ Maker Faire 3pm to 4pm

Wlc100Lg
This weekend we're going to have a speed soldering competition at Maker Faire 3pm to 4pm on Saturday & Sunday. Pick up a TV-B-Gone at the Maker Shed (or bring your own unassembled) and we'll have multiple heats for an hour each day. At the end of Maker Faire we'll crown a speed solderer!


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Jim Horn on May 1, 2008 at 1:14 PM

Speed Soldering...

Some questions for someone who's been soldering for decades:
1) Do we need to bring our own equipment (iron, solder, flux, pliers, cutters, etc.)?
2) *May* we do so if we don't have to?
3) Is 120VAC power available if we bring it?
4) Is there any allowance for soldering quality, or is it a "first kit working" contest?

I solder fairly fast and very well - but can turn on the speed if needed.

Many thanks for what sounds like a fun event - and a *terrific* Faire!

Jim Horn (was at the '06 Faire and eager to return)


Posted by: The Oracle on May 1, 2008 at 7:30 PM

Excellent questions. I would think for the contest to have any meaning, we'd have to have access to our own equipment.

It's an interesting contest idea. I like to take my time when I'm soldering, I truly savour the process and to an excellent quality job (I even make paper spacers so all my resistors, etc, are the same distance from the board about half a milimeter above).

If I turn on the speed, I wonder what will happen to my quality.

Solder quality would be too subjective, it would have to be first working kit. But if I'm paying for the kit, I'm not sure I'd want to do such a sloppy job and be stuck with it. I'd probably take a part and rebuild it later assuming the board quality is high enough that I don't pull off the traces.


Posted by: macetech.com on May 2, 2008 at 1:58 AM

I think they should make it a REAL challenge, and provide entrants with the kit, a Bic lighter, a rusty nail, and a handful of fishing sinkers.


Posted by: The Oracle on May 2, 2008 at 5:49 AM

If that's what I had, I'd try and pour the lead over the board in an imitation of a wave soldering machine. It would be all cold solder joints, but it might work well enough to win.


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog