Solder

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Bar Sport
1

I have a project in mind which will mean I have to deal with some annoyingly fine pitched SMD chips. Figuring life would be easier with some proper leaded solder, I hopped over to RS components and discovered a bewildering array of choices.

I'm used to just walking into Maplin and buying "solder". Never gave it any more thought than that.

Can anyone take a quick peek - http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=retrieveTfg&binCount=55&Nr=AND(avl%3Auk%2CsearchDiscon_uk%3AN)&tfgSearch=Y&N=4294953967+4294677851 - and maybe recommend something suitable?

2

For annoyingly fine-pitched devices I prefer the thinnest solder possible. Like the .4mm or .5mm stuff....let's go with 0.5mm for now as there are more choices at your site.

I don't particularly think you need a low-melting-point solder for general applications so you can do away with the more expensive choices, and go with the Stannol 518639 or Multicore 442560 (Halide-free so a little less active but nicer for the environment and less residue).

Just my 0.02p

--
The Gadget Shield: accelerometer, RGB LED, IR transmit/receive, light sensor, potentiometers, pushbuttons

3

Thanks for the input mate; that's really a big help to me and I appreciate it greatly.

Not overly confident about the task but I feel a bit better about it now after the point in the right direction.

4

I find a good dollop of extra flux helps a lot too.

5

Cool, cheers Jabber.

I'll give that a whirl too - anything that potentially makes it a bit easier is going on my shopping list. :smiley:

6

I use this http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasteners-Production-Equipment/Soldering-Equipment/Solder-Fluxes/Rosin-free-Omega-SMT-62S-solder/28724.