How to Prep the Wire for Soldering and Circuit Bending

Preparing the wire for soldering and circuit bending are steps that must be done with care. If you do not spend the necessary time it takes to do these steps correctly, you run the risk of jeopardizing the soldered joints and the effectiveness of the circuit itself. Read this article to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of wire to the length you require as you prepare wire for soldering and circuit bending.

2. Strip the tips of your wires. You don't have to remove more than about 1/8th of an inch or so—enough to provide a good surface when soldering them together. If one of your wires is going to be hooked into a terminal, you can strip the wire a little more. Keep in mind that if the exposed wire is too long, it could possible the contacts of a switch and make your switch not work correctly.

3. Tin the wire next as you prepare the wire for soldering and circuit bending. Heat the tips of the wire first with the soldering iron, then let the solder flow onto the tip of the wire. You do not need too much solder, as that could damage the wire. Do the same for all of the ends of the wire you will be soldering and using for circuit bending.

4. Make a little hook shape in the ends of the wire, and fit it into one of the terminals as you are preparing a wire for soldering and circuit bending.