Choosing solder

[teknoman2]

I am a bit confused about choosing solder from mouser.
The only thing that I am sure is that I used alloy 63/37 and 0.031inch diameter.
I dont know the differences between the active rosin, water soluble and no clean wire solder.
I believe and I am not sure the difference between them is the after solder residue.
I am between those solders

http://gr.mouser.com/Kester/Tools-Supplies/Soldering/Solder/_/N-b11qqZscv7?P=1yzxt4nZ1yzxbyqZ1z0zl9lZ1z0vtnfZ1yzt5jh

Which one should I choose?

[wgc]

Rosin is probably easiest to work with, but hardest to clean, using isopropyl in most cases. You don't have to clean it for diy but you should since it can corrode over time.

Water soluble is very nice, but you have to clean it, with di water preferred, and within 24 hours, or it will corrode quicker than you think.

No clean is just that. You won't get as shiny a joint, it doesn't flow as nice, but works fine except in high freq rf applications. You can clean it with alcohol, but don't have to. 

[teknoman2]

Rosin is probably easiest to work with, but hardest to clean, using isopropyl in most cases. You don't have to clean it for diy but you should since it can corrode over time.

Water soluble is very nice, but you have to clean it, with di water preferred, and within 24 hours, or it will corrode quicker than you think.

No clean is just that. You won't get as shiny a joint, it doesn't flow as nice, but works fine except in high freq rf applications. You can clean it with alcohol, but don't have to. 

So I am going with the "no clean" one.
Since it doesn't leave anything behind and it doesn't need cleaning.
When you said that is difficult to work with what  do you mean?

Edit: I am thinking buy a kester soldering flux so everything will be easier if I choose the no clean one.

[rullywowr]

No clean flux"245" is what I've been using the last year and I love it. Make sure your flux pen is the same flux "245".  I like the 63/37 and .031" diameter. Just picked up two more rolls as I finished this one.

[teknoman2]

With these I believe I will be ok.
Does this solder and flux use the same flux "245"?

http://gr.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kester/24-6337-8802/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuQDxh7mFZIaahL0d3cIUc6GByVqa%2fo7xM%3d

http://gr.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=952D6virtualkey53300000virtualkey533-952D6

[wgc]

Rosin is probably easiest to work with, but hardest to clean, using isopropyl in most cases. You don't have to clean it for diy but you should since it can corrode over time.

Water soluble is very nice, but you have to clean it, with di water preferred, and within 24 hours, or it will corrode quicker than you think.

No clean is just that. You won't get as shiny a joint, it doesn't flow as nice, but works fine except in high freq rf applications. You can clean it with alcohol, but don't have to. 

So I am going with the "no clean" one.
Since it doesn't leave anything behind and it doesn't need cleaning.
When you said that is difficult to work with what  do you mean?

Edit: I am thinking buy a kester soldering flux so everything will be easier if I choose the no clean one.

It does leave something behind, its kind of a more waxy residue.  The trick is that it doesn't corrode, so its safe to leave it there.

I've personally never had an issue with it, but some people find it doesn't flow out as nicely as rosin or water soluable.

[pickdropper]

Yeah, Billy's not kidding about water soluble; that stuff will eat your board if not cleaned.

Rosin core (RMA) is MUCH less likely to cause problems but, as Billy said, it's not truly no clean.

That said, I pretty much use 63/37 Rosin core most of the time.  Sometimes I clean the boards, but not always.  I'm not a huge fan of no-clean, but some folks dig it.

[GermanCdn]

I generally prefer the grape flavoured solder.










I'm kidding, of course.  Only advice I'm going to give - if you're trying new solder, buy a smaller quantity to start with, because it's not just the solder, it's how it works with your iron.  I've probably gone through four or five different types/brands in the last couple of years, and I can't say I'm 100% happy with any of them, though I've settled on a 63/37 no clean that works all right for me and is available locally.

[teknoman2]

Thanx all for all the answers and recomendations.
Now as far the quantity, I now that 1lb is too much and probably gonna last forever but I cant find different types of solder locally
so mouser the only way to buy solder.

[jball85]

I usually use this stuff exclusively for populating PCB's. It won't leave behind a bunch of resin around the joints. It's cheap and it melts at low temps. Oh yeah, and it has lead, this is very important imo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NTE-83-7145-0415-Elec-Silver-Solder-Pocket-Pak-0-020-83-7145-0415-/400770600409?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d4fca0dd9

[pickdropper]

Depending on where you are located, I highly recommend getting solder from Techni-Tool.  It's usually cheaper than Mouser (but double check anyway).

[teknoman2]

Thanx again for all the answers guys.
Really appreciate it.
I will also check the techni tool.

Cheers,
Panos.

[G.G.]

Hey guys, sorry for the necro-bump. Thanks for the sourcing tips. I'm going to put in an order for some solder and since it's going to be a 1lb. size I want to make sure I'm not getting something I will regret. I'm looking at either a regular Rosin Core Activated solder or a no-clean rosin core type, both are 63/37. Is there a major difference between the two I should be aware of?  Thanks!

http://www.techni-tool.com/488SO633
http://www.techni-tool.com/488SO158

[rullywowr]

Hey guys, sorry for the necro-bump. Thanks for the sourcing tips. I'm going to put in an order for some solder and since it's going to be a 1lb. size I want to make sure I'm not getting something I will regret. I'm looking at either a regular Rosin Core Activated solder or a no-clean rosin core type, both are 63/37. Is there a major difference between the two I should be aware of?  Thanks!

http://www.techni-tool.com/488SO633
http://www.techni-tool.com/488SO158

I have both, and prefer the "no-clean" myself.  The rosin stuff ("44") is great and classic, however leaves a sticky residue on the PCB.  The "no-clean" is exactly that...it is designed to be left on the PCB if you want and it won't hurt anything plus it isn't sticky. 

I would also grab a compatible flux pen if you don't already have one.  Simply use it like a marker on the pads before soldering and it makes the solder flow great.  If you are ordering from TechniTool either of these will work sweet:
http://www.techni-tool.com/488CH952
http://www.techni-tool.com/488CH051

[G.G.]

Thanks Ben! The flux pens look useful too, I'll check them out. Thanks again!