"What do you do if you have a wire or component lead you can't/don't want to physically secure to where you want to solder it to. Especially if it's "flying" (not supported by anything else)"
You guys are just like most of our politicians. Answer the question you wanted to be asked, not what was asked. Absolutely correct though on physically attaching a component then soldering it...But what do you do on PCB's?
Soldering Technique Question
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: Soldering Technique Question
Sorry was away for a day; not scared off 
For a number of locations, do mechanically secure, especially the pots and power runs.
There are a few locations where it is just difficult to do so. But mostly, where I choose not to do so are components that might want to "tune" after the build is complete or swap out for other reasons.
Have been down the path of spending weeks on trouble shooting a build that I -did- tightly secure almost all components. It was an ugly, long and painful process. Have taken a more minimal approach since then.
Heck, if you look at quite a number of professional builds, there is very little mechanical securing for board components and leads.
There are some ideas that I will use, so thanks all for the suggestions. And maybe, sigh, will mechanically secure more portions of the build
For a number of locations, do mechanically secure, especially the pots and power runs.
There are a few locations where it is just difficult to do so. But mostly, where I choose not to do so are components that might want to "tune" after the build is complete or swap out for other reasons.
Have been down the path of spending weeks on trouble shooting a build that I -did- tightly secure almost all components. It was an ugly, long and painful process. Have taken a more minimal approach since then.
Heck, if you look at quite a number of professional builds, there is very little mechanical securing for board components and leads.
There are some ideas that I will use, so thanks all for the suggestions. And maybe, sigh, will mechanically secure more portions of the build
Re: Soldering Technique Question
I think there a few misconceptions aorund here...
Solder is quite truly not a glue, but it IS the solder that makes the electrical connection, albeit a somewhat poorer conductor than a piece of copper wire.
It is also true that a good mechanical connection of a wire before soldering is recommended, and in milspec also requested, but that is really only necesseary if you expect the equipment in question to be exposed to more or less constant shock and vibration. It is NOT the mechanical wrapping of the wire around a post or lug that makes the electrical connection - this is done by soldering.
The amount of strain in a soldered connection is proportional to the weight of the object - like heavy componenets that need to be secured to a PCB before soldering. In a broken wire connection, one often finds that it is not the solder point that is at failure, rather the wire braking just where it enters the solder, particularly with stranded wires. The rather odd practice advocated here for amp wiring, with criss crossing wires in the air without proper mechanical support may indeed need good mechanical joints before sodlering, but this wiring practice is very uncommon in general electronics, althoug I do see the point in amps that seem to be clode to instability by design, like the TW express.
Mil spec mounting practice is indeed very good, but a major PITA to service, particularly on regular PCBs.
A single hook around a turret or post, or a wire through the eye of a pot or switch lug is plenty good for this purpose, That is, of course, is soldering is up to standard.
I may note, that I've been into sounding rocket instruments for years, where shock and vibration is a major design aspect. You'd be really amazed to see what people have gotten away with ........
Sloppy work should never be a goal in itself, but still one has to define the limits. Overkill is neither any point in itself.
Solder is quite truly not a glue, but it IS the solder that makes the electrical connection, albeit a somewhat poorer conductor than a piece of copper wire.
It is also true that a good mechanical connection of a wire before soldering is recommended, and in milspec also requested, but that is really only necesseary if you expect the equipment in question to be exposed to more or less constant shock and vibration. It is NOT the mechanical wrapping of the wire around a post or lug that makes the electrical connection - this is done by soldering.
The amount of strain in a soldered connection is proportional to the weight of the object - like heavy componenets that need to be secured to a PCB before soldering. In a broken wire connection, one often finds that it is not the solder point that is at failure, rather the wire braking just where it enters the solder, particularly with stranded wires. The rather odd practice advocated here for amp wiring, with criss crossing wires in the air without proper mechanical support may indeed need good mechanical joints before sodlering, but this wiring practice is very uncommon in general electronics, althoug I do see the point in amps that seem to be clode to instability by design, like the TW express.
Mil spec mounting practice is indeed very good, but a major PITA to service, particularly on regular PCBs.
A single hook around a turret or post, or a wire through the eye of a pot or switch lug is plenty good for this purpose, That is, of course, is soldering is up to standard.
I may note, that I've been into sounding rocket instruments for years, where shock and vibration is a major design aspect. You'd be really amazed to see what people have gotten away with ........
Sloppy work should never be a goal in itself, but still one has to define the limits. Overkill is neither any point in itself.