Another thing: good tools matter (just like with software). Don't try to solder electronics with a RadioShack iron. It can be done, sure, but it's frustrating. Get a temperature-controller solder station and a fine tip for the iron. This will cost about $100, but will last years and produce much better results.<p>Another nice thing to get is a circuit board holder so you don't have to lay the board upside down on the table as shown in the comic. A good holder will help you work with surface-mount stuff too.<p>I also have a fan with a carbon filter to help with the fumes. Much nicer than blowing smoke out of your way yourself :)
He forgot what I think is one of the most important steps. Before heating the pad and the component lead, touch the solder to the tip of the iron just to wet it a little. The little bit of solder on the tip of the iron really helps in conducting heat to the components. And only use 60/40 lead/tin solder (Radio Shack brand solder works the best.) Save the lead free stuff for when you are in production and someone else is doing the soldering, it is much harder to work with
I saw Mitch at an event. He said that 'it's easy to solder. the hard part is unsoldering'.<p>That being said, he gave some amazing impromptu demonstrations of unsoldering. Stuff like heating up the soldered bit and turning the PCB upside down and hitting it not too hard but still firmly (with the flair and skill of a chef pan flipping a soufflé) to get the solder out of a hole.
My soldering iron seems to make inconsistent heat. One minute it will melt the solder instantly and the next anywhere on the iron I touch the solder to, nothing will happen.<p>Any idea what could be going on there?<p>Also I seem to be going through tips really fast.
I wish I had read this, or something similar, when I learned how to solder. I initially was doing "cold soldering" by just melting the solder and using it like glue. Soldering became much easier once I learned the right way.