next topic »

[on:]

Believe it or not, I haven't bought solder in about 20 years except for that stuff one uses to connect copper pipes.  My seemingly infinite supply of Weller multicore is down to the last few feet and it's time to buy some.  However, using my stock of 1 pound rolls for so long, I don't have a clue what the "good stuff" is now.

Suggestions?  What do you folk use?  Where's a good place to get it?

Yes, I want real lead in it.

[Reply #1 on:]

The good stuff is what you were using, it has lead in it. Try and avoid lead free or low fuming or fancy flux, it is all much worse to use than what you have now.

[Reply #2 on:]

The good stuff is what you were using, it has lead in it. Try and avoid lead free or low fuming or fancy flux, it is all much worse to use than what you have now.

I picked up a 1 lb roll of cheap solder and still have the same roll after a year. Once I was in a hardware store and I read some solder labels. It seems the lead free solder melts at about 40C higher than the regular (60/40). Is that why you are not recommending them? Hard to melt?

[Reply #3 on:]

The stuff I had a case of (heavy box) was actually made by weller, they don't seem to make it anymore.  It was 60/40 (meaning it had lead), multicore and absolutely great.  I don't know the diameter of it, so I'm just looking for advice from other folk before blowing the money.  Solder ain't cheap these days.

[Reply #4 on:]

Look for the kind that has silver and preferably not RoHS unless you need that. As for flux, regular rosin flux works great.

[Reply #5 on:]

diameter recommendations??

[Reply #6 on:]

Smallest you can get  for doing surface mount. 23 guage?

[Reply #7 on:]

That's always quite an accomplishment! 

I'm using 0.020" Kester 245, which is 63/37 and has a no-clean flux. Works fine, no problems so far. Got it from All-Spec. I also considered Kester 275, couldn't tell the difference just from reading the description, so I just tossed a coin.

[Reply #8 on:]

Thanks all.  Now to find some and order it.  Funny how you think you could never, ever use all that stuff.  I noticed the very last roll lasted longer than any of the others. 

[Reply #9 on:]

Is that why you are not recommending them? Hard to melt?

No ... it does not wet very well. It forms brittle joints, fails early.

[Reply #10 on:]

Is that why you are not recommending them? Hard to melt?

No ... it does not wet very well. It forms brittle joints, fails early.

I see. Thanks.

[Reply #11 on:]

Seems to be plenty on the web here:-
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=60/40+solder&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=G6T&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1219&bih=746&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9185702531420045241&sa=X&ei=pIqpTr_xE4fJhAfj24STDg&ved=0CJEBEPMCMAk