It's frustrating when that stuff happens, and modern boards are harder than the old ones due to increasingly smaller parts.
I've started using a external bottle of rosin flux and carefully painting the smallest of daubs on it where I want my soldier to go right before I apply the iron, it might be in my head, but I feel like it makes a big difference on the cleanliness of the joint.
Exactly this. I'm going to do a better job of preparing for that very brief moment of heating and applying solder. My plan on the second fob is to use an abrasive pad to physically clean the wire and the IC pin. Then use a tiny bit of flux where I want the solder to go. Then glue the wire down so that it is in firm contact with the pin. Use the finest tip I have on the iron. And wear an extra pair of reading glasses under my magnifying visor so that I can see how much my hand shakes!!!
It's frustrating when that stuff happens, and modern boards are harder than the old ones due to increasingly smaller parts.
I've started using a external bottle of rosin flux and carefully painting the smallest of daubs on it where I want my soldier to go right before I apply the iron, it might be in my head, but I feel like it makes a big difference on the cleanliness of the joint.
Exactly this. I'm going to do a better job of preparing for that very brief moment of heating and applying solder. My plan on the second fob is to use an abrasive pad to physically clean the wire and the IC pin. Then use a tiny bit of flux where I want the solder to go. Then glue the wire down so that it is in firm contact with the pin. Use the finest tip I have on the iron. And wear an extra pair of reading glasses under my magnifying visor so that I can see how much my hand shakes!!!
This: https://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm