You can get wire strippers from your local hardware store. If you don’t have a wire stripper, you can also slice through the insulation with a utility knife. Just be careful not to cut through the actual wire inside. If you accidentally break strands off of a stranded wire, then the wire could cause a fuse to blow. Cut any remaining strands on the wire and try stripping it again.
You can buy heat-shrink tubing from your local hardware store or online. Avoid using heat-shrink tubing that’s too large for the wire since you may not be able to secure it completely. Don’t keep the heat-shrink tubing near the area you’re soldering since it could shrink from the heat of your soldering iron.
You can get alligator clips from your local hardware store. Make sure you work in a well-ventilated space since the fumes from the soldering iron can be harmful. Use a scrap piece of metal or a non-flammable material under the alligator clips to catch any solder spills.
You can buy rosin flux from your local hardware store.
Lead can be harmful if you consume it, so make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you solder with it. You can wear gloves if you want, but they aren’t required since you won’t be working with the solder for very long. You can also get lead-free solder, but it may be more difficult to work with. Don’t use silver solder since it’s mainly used for plumbing and pipes.
This process is known as “tinning” the iron and it stops oxidation, which can cause the iron to heat unevenly. Don’t touch the end of the soldering iron while it’s hot since it can cause severe burns.
Thicker gauge wire may take longer to heat up than ones with lower gauges. Wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting singed if you accidentally touch them with the soldering iron or hot solder.
Don’t breathe the fumes created by the solder since it can cause irritation and be harmful to your body. Work in a well-ventilated area to make sure the fumes don’t build up. You can choose to wear a face mask if you want, but it’s not required.
You can buy silicone paste from your local hardware store.
It’s okay if some of the silicone oozes out from the heat-shrink tubing since there is still enough on the wires to protect them.
You can buy a heat gun from your local hardware store or online.
