Solder? Lead Free? Flux pen? SMD noob...

[ThePastRecedes]

Hey there,

I currently use .032 60/40 solder that I bought a pound of from Active Electronics in Ottawa. I lasted me just under a year. I am about to run out and I'm in the mood to try something different.  I've searched around on this forum and there doesn't seem to be any info about lead-free solder. Is it hard to work with in comparison?

I've just bought an SMD PT2399 Delay of pickdropper and have my first go at SMD. Is there a specific gauge of solder you guys prefer? Also I read that flux pens are a necessity when doing SMD work. This is the only one available at mouser (that can be shipped to Canada) would this be okay?

http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kester/952D6/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtyU1cDF2RqUBbfted9QYcQxvK4ulH8h7Y%3d

Thanks!

[haveyouseenhim]

I built pickdropper's SMD blue delay with .015''  62/36/2 silver-bearing solder. I didn't use a flux pen, but I should have. I use a syringe filled with flux now.

[pickdropper]

For general soldering, I use Kester 0.020" 63/37 0.5MM (0.020") Solder.  It is thin enough for SMT, but thick enough for through-hole.

I strongly dislike the Kester No-Clean Flux pen.  I just don't find it to work very well.  I would try and hunt down a Kester 186 pen.  I would see if Techni-Tool will ship to Canada.  Their solder prices are a lot cheaper than Mouser as well, so maybe that will help offset the shipping cost.

[RobA]

I'm using AIM SN100C Glow Core lead free solder now. It's a 0.02" which I agree is a pretty good size for both SMD and through hole. I like it much more than any of the other lead free solders I've tried. It takes a bit higher temp than a 63/37, but other than that I like it as well as using leaded solders. Here's a link to the AIM blurb about the solder http://www.aimsolder.com/products/sn100c/sn100c.

I've found Allied has the best prices on it usually, and since they also have better prices on Vactrols, ordering solder from them gives me an excuse to pop a couple of them in the order too.