Comments within.

John Pearson wrote:
> Is there a good way to hold discrete components/jumpers in place while soldering, so that they won't be impossible to remove if needed?

Like most others here, I use tape or bend the leads. I've seen some
commercial systems that hold the board upright, you stuff it with
components, then swing a big foam pad over it. The foam holds the
components in while you flip the whole assembly upside down and solder.
You could probably make something like that yourself.

> How can I keep the insulation on jumper wires that touch or cross over each other from melting.

As Herbert mentioned, if you're melting isulation, you should try
reducing the heat. That said, I've had problems with that before when
using some cat5 wire as jumpers. One solution is to insert a small piece
of paper in between the wires while you solder, then remove it after.

Hope that helps,

Josh
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