Solder...What Are you using and why?

[Schectadon]

I was using the Radio Shack
RadioShack® Lead-Free Solder (SnCu) 0.032"
SN 99.3/CU 0.7
Catalog #: 6400218
Melting point 227°C/440.6°F


I really liked it, it flowed well and I rarely got cold joints with it. Now that my local shack has closed and this specific solder is not available I began to wonder what everyone else is using and why you chose it. I am currently using the
MG Chemicals silver solder
96.5% tin, 0.5% copper and 3% silver
Melting Point 217-221ºC (422.6 - 429.8ºF)
and am having a ton of cold joints even after reflowing. So I am looking for a replacement.

[kgull]

Kester 63/37 eutectic solder. Because I'm lazy and it's really good solder. The eutectic blend makes it almost impossible to get a cold joint.

I think someone makes a eutectic lead free solder that's supposedly really good. Saw it on sparkfun maybe?

EDIT: yep https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10242

[Schectadon]

Thanks I will check it out

[pickdropper]

Kester 63/37 eutectic solder. Because I'm lazy and it's really good solder. The eutectic blend makes it almost impossible to get a cold joint.

I think someone makes a eutectic lead free solder that's supposedly really good. Saw it on sparkfun maybe?

EDIT: yep https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10242

Same here.  Kester 63/37

Unless you are building production pedals, I'd skip the lead free solder.  It's more expensive and not as good as the leaded type.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Schectadon]

I run my digital CSI solder station @ 750 degrees and would nearly burn the board up with the MG solder and still get that cold joint look. I figured it has to be the solder. I just placed an order for the eutectic blend solder and will give it a go.

[pickdropper]

I run my digital CSI solder station @ 750 degrees and would nearly burn the board up with the MG solder and still get that cold joint look. I figured it has to be the solder. I just placed an order for the eutectic blend solder and will give it a go.

It could also be your soldering tip.  Does the tip take solder well or does it kind of blob up when you tin it?

750F should be plenty of heat.

[kgull]

Might be torching the flux, if it's vaporizing before it can clean the joint you'll get a cold joint. Try a nice fat chisel tip, some extra flux and turning the heat down a bit.

[pickdropper]

Well, 750 might be a touch high, but I always solder at 720 without issue.  The trick to using higher heat is reducing dwell time.  If you dwell too long, you can cook out the flux as kgull mentioned.

[kgull]

It really depends on what type of flux is in the solder. I usaully do board work with a high capacity chisel tip at 650F but for other stuff like tinning wire etc, I'll bump up the heat a bit. Dave Jones explains the differences pretty well in this video:

In the end though, it really comes down to lead-free being a pain in the ass to work with. Avoid it if you can.

[Haberdasher]

i use 0.032 chinese 63/37 no clean solder available in 1kg (2.2 lb) spools.  never a cold joint and lasts foreeeeever.  a spool runs about 42.50 after shipping.

[Schectadon]

Using the radio shack solder I was getting great results and very few cold joints. The MG solder seems to be 9 out of 10 turn out as a cold joint.
Tip takes solder evenly. I am using a fine conical tip (http://www.circuitspecialists.com/tip-f-csi936-solder-iron.html), maybe need to try out a chisel tip.

My solder station - http://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-station-60-watt-3dlf.html

[TGP39]

That silver solder never leaves a shiny joint. As soon as it hardens it turns cloudy just about every time in my experience. I use the kester 63/37 .031 and it's great.

Steve.

[alanp]

It really depends on what type of flux is in the solder. I usaully do board work with a high capacity chisel tip at 650F but for other stuff like tinning wire etc, I'll bump up the heat a bit. Dave Jones explains the differences pretty well in this video:

Yeowch! Every now and again I trawl the Bay and think about getting one of those. Not now!

I think I'll probably wind up using my 40W pencil ("garbage") until it breaks.

[Schectadon]

Finally watched the video. Yeeehawwwww lol. Kinda make you wonder if you bought a hakko solder station from eBay if it is actually counterfeit.

[brejna]

i use 0.032 chinese 63/37 no clean solder available in 1kg (2.2 lb) spools.  never a cold joint and lasts foreeeeever.  a spool runs about 42.50 after shipping.

Could you share link for it I have solder few more pedals, so it would be great to grab this..