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Step 1
First use a set of mechanical grips or claps to hold the circuit board or components in location while you are soldering. If they move during soldering you could get a bad connection or a broken solder joint.
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Step 2
Clip away any excess wire. You only need around a quarter of an inch of a lead to solder to a board effectively. If the parts you are soldering are very old or corroded it may be a good idea to sand them with a high grit sand paper like 220 or 400 grit to remove oxidization.
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Step 3
Let the iron heat up and touch the end of the soldering iron with the solder. This is called wetting or tinning the tip and protects it from oxidization.
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Step 4
Place the tip of the iron next to the two electrical components you are soldering together. Wait about half a second and use the solder to touch between the lead and the iron. This will form a path for heat to easily flow from the soldering iron to the lead.
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Step 5
About 1 to 2 seconds later touch the solder to the wire lead on the side opposite of the soldering iron. The heat will cause it to pull toward the soldering iron. Immediately remove the soldering iron and solder from the joint.
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Step 6
If you have correctly soldered the electrical parts you should have a small shallow bump of solder around the lead like the picture.
