The Sinclair QL Forum

Thanks all, trim them AFTER soldering it is then!

Doesn't look like the boards will arrive for a couple of weeks, but the components should all arrive by next weekend so I'll be ready to jump in feet first with the first one when the boards do arrive

Many thanks

A trick is also to cross the leads on the back of the board, this will hold the component in place. Means you can mount all resistors in one go, then flip over to solder. That caps, etc.

XorA wrote: Sun May 04, 2025 4:45 pm A trick is also to cross the leads on the back of the board, this will hold the component in place. Means you can mount all resistors in one go, then flip over to solder. That caps, etc.

Thanks XorA will remember that when the time comes

When doing sockets, and the like, I’ve tended to use electrical tape but crossing the legs will save fiddling around with tape on the small components

Many thanks

Another trick with axial components like resistors, diodes and the like is to site them in the board, and then solder from the top if it's a double sided board - just one leg. This holds the component allowing you to flip the board and not have any of them move. Then solder away!

Still waiting for 3 components (74LS133’s, trimmers & battery holders), but they should be here by the end of the week (74LS133’s are the only thing I really need to get started though of course)

Also waiting for the PCBs (may be here on Friday - or may just be due in UK by Friday can’t work it out)

But I’ve just programmed 2 Minerva 1.98 ROMs & 2 GALS ready

t0nyt wrote: Sun May 04, 2025 4:51 pm

XorA wrote: Sun May 04, 2025 4:45 pm A trick is also to cross the leads on the back of the board, this will hold the component in place. Means you can mount all resistors in one go, then flip over to solder. That caps, etc.

Thanks XorA will remember that when the time comes

When doing sockets, and the like, I’ve tended to use electrical tape but crossing the legs will save fiddling around with tape on the small components

Many thanks

I don't do that. Maybe its OCD, but I don't like it when the soldered ends don't come out straight

Hi,

Use Blu-Tack on the opposite side to solder to hold the component in place.

Derek_Stewart wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 7:02 am Hi,

Use Blu-Tack on the opposite side to solder to hold the component in place.

I do use blu-tack to hold things when soldering, though mainly the circuit board (or whatever) to the work surface rather than the components

Maybe I should try the soldering jig I have stored in the garage too

Looks like the PCBs are arriving with me on Friday, so will try to make up a board at the weekend

I’ve made a few I2c harnesses ready as well, probably getting ahead of myself there though!

Had an early delivery! The boards were a lot bigger when I printed them out on A4...