We often have to start from somewhere...

and soldering is as basic as you get when dealing with electronics.

So here's what you will need to learn the art of soldering...

Remember: at first, you probably are not getting a world-class end result. But practise makes perfect and soldering is one of the proven example of the above.

Step 1: What You Need:

Solder Wire or simply solder

solder iron

soldering station (optional but helps)

flux

jumper wire or the wire you wish to solder with

Electronic component you need to solder

wire clippers or wire stripper

Step 2: For All Things to End, There Needs to Be a Start. an Electricity Socket Helps Too!

Plug in your solder iron.(don't forget to switch it on, as there are usually no indicators of the iron being "ON")

Wait a little while.(probably ranging from a couple of minutes to 10 depending on how well your solder iron works)

Step 3: Step 1:

Now that the iron is hot enough , (to find out when that is, just put iron tip in the flux and see if the flux melts and hisses..if yes? then you are about ready...PS there's a common method of sniffing to see if it works, wouldn't suggest it if your friends are as playful as mine...REMEMBER: Stay careful while using the iron, as it's definitely hot enough to melt your skin as well as plastic and burn a whole lotta other materials, hair included)

Step 4: Step 2:

Take the solder wire (the one with the dull aluminium finish) and dip one end in the flux pot (not necessary but it definitely smoothes out the process a bit. Place the wire and the component properly, just the way you wish to join them.

Now, with the flux wire in one hand (presumably the one you don't write with), and solder iron in another hand you are ready to do battle!

Step 5: Step 3:

Bring the solder wire (dull aluminium wire kinda thingy) near to the exact point or juncture between the wire and the electrical component you want to solder.

Put the iron tip of the solder iron (still connected to the iron...now don't go removing the tip or something like that) over the wire+electrical component+solder wire combo and press just a bit on the juncture/joint.

Shouldn't take long, as the irons are usually very hot. and you will see the solder wire melt into goop and spread around the juncture, hopefully just the way you want it to be.

Remove the solder wire (the part that's still in the wire shape and hasnt solidified into the solder target area.)

Remove iron and for the love of all that's holy, place it properly such that it doesn't burn off anything else,important or otherwise.(Psssst: this is where the soldering station comes in handy, at this point even a soldering stand would do)

Step 6: Voila!

Your first solder is done, if its not what you need or maybe soldered something you didn't mean to (believe me, happens more times than I can count).

Just de-solder it.

which is the beauty of soldering. there's nothing that can't be undone.

De-soldering how, you ask?

Just hold your component to be de-soldered from one end (presuming we are talking about something like a resistor) and the point to be de-soldered should be the other end.

Place the solder iron on the soldered area. And just let the solder heat up to liquid state...without adding any more.

And, remove or pull out the component from your other hand(holding the other end).

If this doesn't work, you can try de-soldering wires or pastes that are available in the market..

And, happy making!