This Reference Table Summarizes the Basics of Soldering.
Soldering electronics is a delicate art. If you’re just getting started with soldering , this handy reference table can help you spot some common mistakes and make sure your job is getting it right.
The above diagram from Adafruit is not a substitute for a proper tutorial (although they have some of them too ), but it contains a lot of information in a small space. When soldering a joint, heat the pin and bonding pad for 2-3 seconds before inserting the solder material. If you don’t heat the part enough, heat it too much, or add the right amount of solder, you can end up with wobbly-looking joints. The right side of this chart shows what your joints might look like if you screw up, and what the problem was. Meanwhile, the left side reminds you which tools you should use. For example, you should never use a soldering iron for small, detailed electronics work.
NEW REFERENCE CARD: Soldering 101 | Adafrut