A customer told me my solder joints looked 'cold' and I brushed them off at first

Last week a guy brought in a old stereo receiver I fixed. He looked at my work and said those joints look cold man. I got defensive cause I've been doing this for 5 years. But I looked closer and yeah they were dull and not flowing right. He showed me how he tins his tip and waits for the joint to actually wick. I went back and redid all 12 joints on that power supply board. Now they're shiny and smooth. Has anyone else had a customer call them out on something that actually made them better?

2 comments

2 Comments

faitha4016d agoProlific Poster

Wait, a customer actually walked you through his tinning technique on the spot? That's wild to me, most people would just complain and leave. @stella_roberts, your story sounds like the same kinda luck - getting schooled by a stranger who actually knew their stuff. Cold joints are a hard lesson but man, that customer did you a solid.

stella_roberts16d ago

Friend of mine had a customer point out he was using the wrong flux on automotive electrical work. He argued at first, but turns out the guy used to be an electrical engineer. That one conversation totally changed how he approaches corrosion-prone connections now.