Is soldering a lost art?

[yellow_seh]

As time goes by I see more and more vehicles coming through the workshop that the owners have "worked on" and the amount of shoddy wiring ia astunding, scotch locks crimp connectors and even twisted wires, does no one solder any more? Even one of the guys here refuses to pick up a soldering iron. Just wondered other have seen this.

[Jack]

I think Stuart is an advocate of crimping over soldering, it can add resistance and if done really badly could get hot. Can be quite tricky if you're working in an awkward space too.

I'm good at soldering and I do enjoy it, but I tend to crimp most stuff on my cars as I'm just lazy lol

[yellow_seh]

I enjoy soldering too, I'd rather spend a bit mor time and care getting a good joint and making it look tidy and save any issues in the future from bad connections. I HATE untidy wiring.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

ive got an iron, I still use it :thumb:

[Novasport]

Lads at work mostly use the heat shrink tubes lined with glue and a solder ring in the middle. They are very good and easy to use.
I hate Scotchlocs and the insulated crimp terminals. I always use the OE spec uninsulated crimp terminals with the correct insulators.
If I need to join a wire I use the tubes or solder it and heat shrink the join although I prefer to replace the wire completely if I can.
Poor wiring can so easily set fire to your pride and joy!

[meritlover]

ratchet crimps are industry standard (depending on industry i guess) providing they are double crimps and not those 'pliers' you get with a halfords kit which are worse than useless. like everything, used/prepared/fitted correctly in the right environment there will be no better solution. i would use solder in place of a 'straight-through' crimp though.

soldering is great where used in the right places and if covered in Hellerman or heat shrink sleeve.

dodgy alarms + radio/cd installs are a favourite. some engine conversions ive seen on here have dubious wiring standards, no wonder there are so many start up issues.

[yellow_seh]

I will use the ratchet type crimping pliers and terminals if need be eg earth ring terminals and spade connectors, however my argument with them has always been there is noting to stop water ingress and therefore corrosion. I have seen a lot of those type of terminals rot out and cause issues.

[Iain]

I always heatshrink over the coloured crimp terminals, dunno why I guess cos it looks less pikey lol

I do prefer soldering wires and heatshrinking inline rather than an inline crimp connector though.

[burgo]

I can solder still
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/sclurgess/20130903_184235_zps29317503.jpghttp://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/sclurgess/20130904_010308_zps0921d2a5.jpg

[chrisd1986]

I was going to crimp all my wires when I done my conversion but I was forced into twisting and soldering them and when I say forced he done it himself

[Benn]

I still prefer to solder all joins. Much neater and stronger too. Even with a proper crimping tool you can pull the wires out of them at times...

[Andy]

Twisting wires then taping ftw.
Never had any come undone.Ever.

[chrisd1986]

Twisting wires then taping ftw.
Never had any come undone.Ever.

Ive spent years doing it as im not that good at soldering

[Andy]

I can solder,its just a ballache when in a car out in the street for the sake of two speaker wires for example

[yellow_seh]

Twisting wires and wrapping tape around them is just asking for trouble. Total bodge.

[Andy]

Twisting wires and wrapping tape around them is just asking for trouble. Total bodge.
Really? Explain why?

[mk1nova_rich]

Twisting wires and wrapping tape around them is just asking for trouble. Total bodge.

Better than crimping IMO

[Spudly]

Not if you do it correctly, splay the wires cores open and twist them tightly into each other, then fold the twisted bit back on itself, good quality electrical tape nice and tight, ive tried to pull wires apart that ive twisted and taped..

They dont want to part if youve done it right, and you get a nice flexible join that will withstand vibrations too!

[yellow_seh]

When twisting and taping wires not only is the connection unreliable with a high chance of coming apart but it can cause an increased resistance of current flow leading to potential blown fuses. Also has the risk of working loose and creating a short circuit

[Spudly]

But as ive posted above, if you do it well/right, it wont fall apart, dodgy soldering can cause resistance and heat build up, which can/will lead to blown fuses and burnt wiring!

Horses for courses, if you know what youre doing then soldering is good, if you dont then it can be dangerous, same applies to twisting and taping!

[Andy]

When twisting and taping wires not only is the connection unreliable with a high chance of coming apart but it can cause an increased resistance of current flow leading to potential blown fuses. Also has the risk of working loose and creating a short circuit
And you have performed back to back tests with a multimeter I take it,to back up these claims??

[yellow_seh]

If you insist on twisting why not use heat shrink? Will make for a tidier finish and won't unwrap with age like some insulation tape can. Just a thought

[Andy]

Il take that as a no then...............

[yellow_seh]

Sorry didn't see your last reply, no I have not carried out back to back testing i was basing that purely in past experiences, I have traced many electrical faults to inadequate wiring repairs, some of which have been twisted and taped wires which have become wet and corroded resulting in increased resistance. However these have mostly been out side of the cabin In the engine bay or on tow bar wiring, so a twisted wire will probably not suffer in this way in side the vehicle.

[Johnny A]

I twist the wires together....

then solder and heat shrink ;)

[brainsnova]

I solder when the wires are easy or awkward but when the wires get thicker I crimp

[petrolhead19]

I splay the cores and twist together then heatshrink them :), perfect connection and never fails. Plus looks alot neater

[John]

I HAVE to crimp connect at work, no soldering is allowed (audi qt) I do use soldering at home though when doing wiring repairs.

[yellow_seh]

I HAVE to crimp connect at work, no soldering is allowed (audi qt) I do use soldering at home though when doing wiring repairs.

i heard somthing about audi techs not being allowed to solder from a rep that comes to work, what is the reason behind it do ya know?

[_Jake]

people arguing wether to solder... crimp or twist and tape..... get a ****ing life!

[Southie]

I've been known to use chockablocks for stereo wiring but if it's main wiring for other looms then soldering is a must.

[marc69]

I do a lot of soldering for household electronic repairs etc. for cars, it depends.

If it is going to be 100% permanent then I will solder or if it is somthing that moves and will be unreliable with easier methods, then I will solder it. I do sometimes crimp and fit spade connections for access etc.

There are some wiring where I haven't soldered, eg the wire from the coil to rev counter on the 1.0, because I didn't want to mess with the original wiring at all, the wire just sits wedged in with the pin connection at the coil and has sat solid and reliable for 10 years. But you have to bear in mind, if a wire not soldered comes loose will it cause any damage? if the answer is yes then in my opinion it has to be soldered and wrapped very well.

Personally i don't like the blue clip connections, I don't think they are reliable and the block connections are bulky and again, I don't think they are reliable ina moving vibrating vehicle

[Jack]

I wouldn't twist and tape - sure the join might be strong and flexible, but have you ever tried getting electrical tape off after just a few months? I'd not want that sticky glue shat all mingled in the wires. Solder and wrap fair enough, as the solder would protect the wires if they've been tinned properly, but I wouldn't want bare wire on the tape.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

people arguing wether to solder... crimp or twist and tape..... get a ****ing life!

lol

[brainsnova]

Only Stuart argues about it lol

[meritlover]

..... Even with a proper crimping tool you can pull the wires out of them at times...

O_o

[Benn]

At times. Some crimps are crap don't for get...

[Novasport]

If you buy proper terminals and have a good quality crimp tool with good dies then wire should never pull out of a crimp.
I have never had it happen on any of my crimps.

[GRUNT 16V]

Im a solder and heat shrink man !!!! Never will i use insulation tape to cover a joint i have soldered