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I'd be finished testing my code by now but I am terrible at soldering. 
Somehow, this is a thing that happens.
Real programmers use butterflies
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honey the codewitch wrote: I am terrible at soldering.
Isn't that a hardware problem? 
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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That's what I thought too. 
I'm trying to test a series of 8x8 LED matrices arranged in different layouts. The trouble is I have two batteries of 8x8 segments, each 4 in a row.
I'd like to connect the two batteries and create a 4x2 battery of 8x8 segments for a total of 32x16 "pixels"
However, in order to do that I need to solder a connector onto one of those batteries of segments so that it can be daisy chained.
Only then will I know if my *software* accurately handles multiple rows of segments. So it's a hardware problem that creates a software issue. - something that crops up with IoT stuff.
Real programmers use butterflies
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I have a lot of challenges with soldering and just ordered this new soldering iron station[^].
I had a really cheap soldering iron (took a long time to heat up and was way too large).
This one has really helped me and I can't believe how much easier things are with it.
You probably already have a nice soldering iron, but if you don't I highly recommend the switch.
Check out the difference in size of my cheapy one (right) vs. my new one (left)[^].
The new one is so much easier to control.
I am an amateur so I didn't even know to know there was a difference. 
Just a thought. Good luck.
modified 22-May-21 21:16pm.
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I used to use an American Beauty 40W for most fine work. And an _old_ Weller gun ( try to find an old one with copper "tube" ( transformer secondary - the new ones all are Al. and the connections die on you. ) for when you need to slam things.
That said, I highly recommend this https://gokimco.com/products/hakko-fx888d-digital-soldering-station?variant=31349108113460&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4OHmlsLi8AIVn21vBB3egA_ZEAQYBCABEgLS2vD_BwE[^]
I run it ( by failing memory ) 475 F with Kester lead-free for putting LEDs etc into circuit boards. Nicely made kit.
I've gotten boards from Express PCB Manufacturing Service – ExpressPCB[^]
There are several places that do small short run jobs and supply software.
Their Standard MiniBoardPlus was a good fit for me. Their free software functions, but is very basic and a bit awkward. ( I haven't tried the newer version. )
Worked OK for the simple stuff I did.
The PanaVise is very useful. A wrist - side of hand - pinky rest should help the shake. I use readers so that I'm VERY nearsighted.
You learn to see small color / gloss differences as the solder turns liquid.
Keep your tip clean and shiny, don't leave it idle longer than needed. I usually let it hit temp, wipe it, touch it to solder, start making joints.
Use the sponge, keep it soaked, a small thing of rosin is sometimes useful. Usually, rosin core will supply plenty of flux, but if your tip gets dirty ( oh, I use several, but a small chisel tip seems usually best for component leads ) you may need the extra.
Can't think of much else, wick or a solder sucker can help when you make a mistake.
Have fun,
dave
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Shaky hands are my main problem - always had them.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Just takes a good iron and practice, you'll get the hang of it!
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I have shaky hands.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Yeah my hands are starting to shake also.
Getting old sucks don't it?
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Mine have always been shaky.
Real programmers use butterflies
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I have shaky hands too and I was watching a guy paint signs the other day and he was using a stabilizing stick for his working hand. Found this video[^], I don't think you need to get as far in depth as this, but maybe it would be something that could help.
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Serious reply:
Get the smallest lightest soldering pencil you can find, that you can comfortably hold in a pencil grip (not a saucepan grip). You should be able to steady it all on the heel of your hand or pinkie edge.
Some of the butane gas ones are excellent, once you get the hang of temperature control.
Cheers from an old hardware guy,
Peter
Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012
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That's not all your fault: modern (lead free) solder needs a higher temperature, and doesn't "flow" as well as the older (leaded) stuff did. And the higher temp means you have to work faster, or you can damage diodes like LEDs and so forth - they don't like to exceed 350C, and lead solder needs >420C to flow at all well. (Leaded was >360C so you had more time.)
It's even worse if you are trying to solder banks with wire, as you haven't got the PCB to act as a heatsink.
I'm much worse at lead free soldering than I was a leaded, but I switched in 2001 in anticipation of the 2006 EU legislation. New solder, solder pot, irons, SMT irons, staff retraining, ... it was an expensive business (we had to keep leaded kit as well for repair work, you can't "touch up" leaded electronics with an unleaded tip).
It you are tinning wires before you start soldering everything on, then I'd really recommend a solder pot - they aren't expensive (but are seriously dangerous) and they tin better and quicker than hand work.
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
modified 22-May-21 16:26pm.
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Why are solder pots dangerous ?
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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About the size of a coffee mug, filled with liquid metal at 400C ... I'd suggest some care and attention to detail is needed ...
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Point taken
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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And I thought the problem with IoT was that the 'S' stands for security.
If you can't laugh at yourself - ask me and I will do it for you.
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Did u try with butterflies?
"If we don't change direction, we'll end up where we're going"
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many analytical persons are not good at handling real things. it was said that some physics labs will "forbit" certain theoretician entering the lab because equipments would magically be broken after they left
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Agreed.
After hours spent dealing with power supplies and address line pins burned out from previous semesters, software looked a lot brighter than hardware.
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honey the codewitch wrote: I am terrible at soldering
I'm worse. Several years ago, I had needed a single solder for a home project. I went to the tech area and a tech volunteered to do it. I wanted to frame his work when he was done (and he did it so fast, we may have gone back in time.)
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it super fun, but your right when it comes time to test and something just isn't working correctly and after hours of reviewing code, you look back at the board to find a cold solder point that sort of works sometimes.
it's even worse when making your own PCB's and pulling your hair out to find a little bit of tracing bridging two circuits that you didn't catch during board cleanup.
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When you suppose, you make a supposition.
When you hypothesize, you make a hypothesis.
When you theorize, you make a theory.
But what do you get when you surmise?
How does one make a conjecture?
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Surmise and conjecture can both be used as nouns or verbs.
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