Collin's Lab: Soldering

The gentlest starting point. Collin Cunningham explains why solder isn't just a hot metal glue, and that one idea is what makes good joints click: you heat the component lead and the copper pad together where they meet, and the solder flows onto both. He covers tinning a new tip, keeping it clean on brass mesh or a slightly damp sponge, and spotting a cold joint before it causes trouble. Adafruit's companion guide to the episode gives sensible first dial positions: around 650°F for leaded solder, up to 750°F for lead-free, and heat on the joint for two seconds or less.