Solder

[ddj3891]

I got a spool of Worthington 97/3 Rosin Core solder and have been using it for a long time.  I've always had problems getting solder to stick.  I just assumed my technique was bad.  (to be fair, it probably kind of is)  I recently built a project from a kit that came with a small roll of solder and it worked beautifully.  I've never had a board look so good.  My question is, what kind of solder do you guys use?  Also, is there a reason the stuff I was using before refuses to cooperate so often? 

[juansolo]

Warton Metals Autosol RA Alloy No. 1. Solder content: 50% tin, 1.4% copper, 48.6% lead. Needless to say, that's not ROHS compliant. But as long as you're not selling your stuff commercially, no need to use the lead free shit.

[EBK]

I use:
Kester 24-6337-0027 Solder Roll, Core Size 66, 63/37 Alloy, 0.031" Diameter

63/37 is a eutectic alloy that makes soldering much easier than, say 60/40.  I don't have any experience with 97/3.

[jimilee]

I use:
Kester 24-6337-0027 Solder Roll, Core Size 66, 63/37 Alloy, 0.031" Diameter

63/37 is a eutectic alloy that makes soldering much easier than, say 60/40.  I don't have any experience with 97/3.

+1


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[somnif]

Lead Free solder is a nightmare under optimal conditions, I would suggest avoiding it unless you have a damn good reason to have to use it.

I personally use Kester 245 63/37 no-clean. Bought a 1 pound roll 4 years ago and I still have most of it left. Was about 25$ and works for 99% of the stuff I do (its a wee bit too thick for surface mount stuff, but i only do that when a bout of lunacy takes me).

edit: Link to the stuff https://www.amazon.com/Kester-24-6337-8800-Activated-Solder-No-Clean/dp/B00068IJOU/ref=sr_1_1

[davent]

I have a roll of Kester 245 - 63/37 and a roll of MG Chemicals 63/37 and prefer it to the Kester.
dave

[alanp]

I use 60/40, no problems, ever.

[lars]

Lead solder. It's in all that 70-year-old stuff that is still working.
Lead-free solder. It's in all that 3-year-old stuff you see in the dumpster. Yeah. RoHS is "saving" the environment. The oceans are full of plastic...not lead.

[juansolo]

Lead solder. It's in all that 70-year-old stuff that is still working.
Lead-free solder. It's in all that 3-year-old stuff you see in the dumpster. Yeah. RoHS is "saving" the environment. The oceans are full of plastic...not lead.

Yep, with knobs on.

[TNblueshawk]

I use:
Kester 24-6337-0027 Solder Roll, Core Size 66, 63/37 Alloy, 0.031" Diameter

63/37 is a eutectic alloy that makes soldering much easier than, say 60/40.  I don't have any experience with 97/3.

+1


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+2

Lead free will lead someone to drink and if you already drink you will become an addict.

[EBK]

It's not that lead-free solder is bad.  It just eats your soldering iron tip very quickly, produces joints that always look "cold", and feels like someone mixed your solder with sand.  Some people love it!

[juansolo]

It's not that lead-free solder is bad.  It just eats your soldering iron tip very quickly, produces joints that always look "cold", and feels like someone mixed your solder with sand.  Some people love it!

Yeah, the same sort of people who think the 'L' in solder is silent for some reason...

[jimilee]

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