Soldering Class and Art in the Park

Just a reminder that the CGW soldering class will be March 26th at 6 pm. We’ll be going over hand soldering and reflow/SMD soldering techniques, with free giveaways!

Also, CGW is planning to have a booth at Art in the Park (June 6 and 7). If you’re interested in showcasing projects for CGW or hanging out at the booth, please get in touch.

Update: Art in the Park has since passed. We take a booth to community events through the year, so if you would like to help with the next one, get in touch any time.

How the class went

Members were trained in both of the soldering methods the shop uses, and everyone was given a free soldering kit to practice on and take home.

• Through-hole soldering, where component legs pass through holes in the board and are soldered on the far side. It is the method most people learn first, it is forgiving, and it is what you want for repairs and for anything that has to survive being knocked about.
• Reflow and surface-mount, where much smaller components sit on top of the board on pads of solder paste, and the whole board is heated until the paste melts and pulls each part into place. It is how nearly all modern electronics are built.

Knowing both is the difference between being able to fix the electronics you own and only being able to look at them.

The electronics bench is the most beginner-friendly corner of the shop and is open to visitors on a Thursday evening, so you do not need to wait for the next class to try this. Soldering is our most requested class, and it comes round regularly: watch the events calendar.