Blu-Tack.....

[peAk]

So up to this point, I have been using a pcb swivel clamp and electrical tape to hold my components for soldering. It's worked fairly well with the occasional component slipping out some once in a while.

I am somewhat interested in using this blu-tack putty but I would like some questions answered first if possible.

Does heat ever affect the putty and make a mess?

Is Blu-tack the best and only adhesive putty that you would use? If not, what are some others?

How much (oz) do you need?

Where is the best place to order it from in the US?

Thanks!

[jubal81]

I use Elmer's orange tac from Office depot. It's pricey, but whatever you do, DON"T buy the cheap, whitish stuff.
Another cool bonus is it acts as a heat sink and pulls some heat away from sensitive parts.

[twin1965]

Heat does make it go soft but it hasn't turned into goo on me yet. If there's any residue left you just dab the blu-tack on the pcb and it picks any bits that are left. I use it to hold trimmers, pcb pots, switches, off board wiring and to hold down pcbs for soldering.
Been using this for years and haven't tried any other types. It does make populating boards much easier
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[chromesphere]

The blue tac sometimes leaves a few bits behind which as already said, can be removed easily with another bit of bluetac and the stuff I use gets softer with added heat, never had it melt to a point of problems though. Neither is really an issue for me though. Its faster and pretty much the only way I can smd solder.  I use it all the time for all sorts of applications though, not only soldering.  Anywhere I need things stuck down temporarily. Handy stuff!
Paul

[davent]

Tried Blue Tac for the first time on Friday for another chromesphere project, worked like a charm for eight of these, used a small blob bit bigger then the pcb. Softens some while soldering and a tiny amount may stick but is easily removed.



dave

dave

[chromesphere]

Dave, I gotta build me 10 of those...they are so handy when experimenting on breadboard!

[muddyfox]

Aaaahhh...

My most procrastinated project... 

[chromesphere]

Capacitance decade would also be pretty good.  Would probably only need 1 or 2 switches.

[peAk]

Thanks guys, well....I drove all around town looking for either Blu-Tack or the orange Elmers putty and couldn't find either. I even tried Office Depot. Eveywhere has the white stuff but based on jubal81 advice, I didn't get any of that.

I did, however, find some stuff at Lowes called BlueStik. Anyway, I wasn't sure and tried one capacitor and it left a tad bit behind on the capacitor. I didn't think about using the putty to remove it though. I just used my fingers and decided not to use anymore. Maybe I will try it again one more time to see if it works using the putty to remove any leftovers.

Probably just need to order the good stuff online. This stuff was like 2$ a pack.

All this being said, I really like using my pcb swivel clamp. I would probably only want to use the putty for sticking the component on rather than resting on the stuff.

[chromesphere]

Blue tack will grab blue tack pretty effortlessly.  Im not sure what people mean by 'the white stuff'?  The blue tack we have in oz is grey/blue color?

[davent]

Capacitance decade would also be pretty good.  Would probably only need 1 or 2 switches.

Have two sections left to put to use plus another five sections with a switching scheme i haven't yet made heads or tail of. (Adafruit have the correct ones as well as a larger version.)

[peAk]

Capacitance decade would also be pretty good.  Would probably only need 1 or 2 switches.

Have two sections left to put to use plus another five sections with a switching scheme i haven't yet made heads or tail of. (Adafruit have the correct ones as well as a larger version.)

We have quite a few "adhesive putty" options here in the states. I couldn't find "Blu-Tack anywhere. I just found some rip off stuff called "Blue Stik"

I saw what jubal81 was referring to and I think the brand was scotch or something.

[davent]

Any high end hifi shops? BluTack is a favoured product for going between speakers and speaker stands,  dampening of elements within components and the like...

for example...
http://www.needledoctor.com/Bostic-BluTack

[billstein]

Amazon has it

[peAk]

Amazon has it

yeah, and this is where I will end up getting it. I was just trying to find a place locally that I could go pick it up. I'll give this BluStik a try again before I do.