Advice on solder purchase

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Gonna get a fresh spool. Am getting 63/37 lead free but, I need advice on rosin type. Which is best for our purposes?

- Rosin
- Rosin activated
- Rosin Mildly Activated
- No Clean
- Water Soluable

Always used what I had on hand or could find in the wild but, I want to get the best bang for my buck here. Advice???

[EBK]

63/37 is not lead-free.  It is 37% lead, but it is awesome.

I'd recommend Kester 44 (it is an activated rosin core solder).

[somnif]

Yeah 63/37 means 63% tin, 37% lead.

I personally use Kester No-clean, and it works for 99% of operations. I keep a bottle of their '44 flux around though for the stuff the no-clean just isn't quite tough enough to cut through (really corroded "vintage" parts, for example).

[TNblueshawk]

If you end up liking the lead free you will be the first one I've heard that likes it. I have read countless stories of bad for soldering. You might want to first get a small amount to test it out and see what you think.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I went with the Kester 44. 63/37 Rosin Activated as per EBK 

Will see how it goes.

[EBK]

If you end up liking the lead free you will be the first one I've heard that likes it. I have read countless stories of bad for soldering.

So true!
Lead-free solder eats soldering iron tips, flows like oatmeal, and makes even the best joints look like cold joints.  It takes all of the joy out of soldering.

[pickdropper]

Good choice.

FWIW, water soluble MUST be cleaned thoroughly or it will eat the board.  Generally not recommend unless specifically needed.

[drezdn]

Aside from eating solder tips, I've had good luck with Mudder Activity Solder .6mm. It's mostly tin with a little silver and copper.

[Gristlepig]

A 1lb spool of Kester 44 rosin core has lasted me a couple years... I think it was $25. Worth it.