Soldering Pots ?

rpr

is it necessary to roughen the back of  alpha pots before soldering? I've heard/seen yeahs, bet have also read that most pots are pre-tinned (or similar) and sanding would only remove this. What's the word of the wise? 

Roland

I always clean and tin the spot where I want the wire to go.  If the pot isn't clean then the solder won't stick, and if it is uniformly clean then I find the solder spreads out more than I want. Scraping and pre-tinning a small area keeps the solder where I want it.

GuitarMonkey

Give it a go. If the solder flows onto the pot you are fine. If not, sand it back.

Generally the only problems are with cadmium or chromium plated bodies.

ThePrettyDamned

I always scratch it and tin. No reason not to, doesn't add much work, and my joins have (so far) been reliable.

OilCityPickups

Shouldn't need to abrade any new pot ... if you have to you tool isn't big or hot enough