I'm getting ready to assemble the first kit I've done in a long time. Although it's very simple, I noticed that printed circuit boards have gotten more sophisticated than the last time I looked. In particular, this appears to me to be a double-sided board, with traces and soldering rings on both the top and bottom (see pictures below).
So my question is this. If I insert the leads through the holes and solder them on the bottom side as I'd do with a traditional PCB, can I assume the solder will flow adequately to make good contacts? Or do I need to take special care to make sure that the solder joins the lead to the board on both the top and bottom sides?
Go on YouTube and look for the
PACE Worldwide soldering videos.
Episode 6 is specifically about components (which given the age of the videos is mostly through-hole), but I suggest watching them from the beginning.
In any case, plated through-holes solder easily. The main thing to remember is to dwell on the pin
slightly longer, because as the hole heats all the way through, suddenly capillary action will draw solder to the other side, and you may need to add a smidgen more.