On Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:22:18 -0800, the renowned Bob E.
wrote:

I am trying to solder some RG-6 shield to a pcb. The braid won't tin. It's
almost like it's dissipating the heat faster than I can apply it. With both a
temp-controlled iron (set as high as 700F) and a mondo 100W stick I finally
tried. The solder will barely melt when touched to the braid opposite the
iron.

I've applied some Kester rosin paste flux as well using my trusty Kester
60/40 lead-based rosin core solder. No joy. I'm not holding the braid against
the PCB now, I'm just trying to tin the braid and then deal with melting the
2 solders (on the PCB and the braid) together later.

My first attempt--before I realized that I was overheating it--I melted the
dielectric insulation.

The mesh is made from some silver-colored braid which I thought is tinned
copper but now I'm of the opinion that it's steel; it's certainly not
aluminum. There is also foil which is probably aluminum but I've trimmed that
back and it's not part of this frustrating process right now.

What's the trick to getting this braid to take solder? I've never seen this
before.

Thanks.

If it's like this cr*p they sell at Home Despot, it's copper clad
steel core with an _aluminum_ braid shield:-

http://www.cerrowire.com/files/file/..._6U_QUADLR.pdf

That would explain the copper-like heat conduction that you're
observing.

I suppose you could try an aluminum flux, but can't you just unravel
and gather enough of the shield to crimp into a ring terminal or
something?



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
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