Is this solder good ?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 01:08:58 pm
content: I know that the 63/37 Tin/Lead solder is the better than 60/40, So I am looking at the following solders:https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07PDC2D85/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A1CJB5SYI9X4XC&psc=1https://www.amazon.ca/Solder-Wire-Lead-Rosin-Activated/dp/B07JW5V68Z/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=Solder+Wire+63%2F37&qid=1633439356&sr=8-11are these soldering wires good ? which one is better Chipquik or the Sainsmart ? or should I look at something else ? please make recommendations..Many Thanks

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 01:26:56 pm
content: Kester is recognized as a quality brand, but you might have to buy a whole pound:https://www.amazon.com/Kester-24-6337-0010-Rosin-Solder-SPOOL/dp/B00068IJWC

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 01:50:28 pm
content: For normal (non SMT) soldering with 63/37 solder wire (or 60/40 solder) be sure to use rosin activated flux. The other fluxes have their uses for PCB (especially with SMT). Of course, acid-core solder flux is only for non-electrical uses.

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 03:23:37 pm
content: QuoteAny other brands as good as Kester ?Also, Should I get the .8mm .5mm or .381mm ?

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 03:41:16 pm
content: 0.8 is a bit too thick, you can always cut a piece of 0.5 solder wire and bend it in two and feed two wires at same time if you need volume of solder for some bigger leads.0.38 is great for small components, like 0805 resistors, 0603 capacitors but it's gets a bit annoying with through hole parts, you feed too much wire. Also, such wires tend to have less percentage of flux inside so it's more important to have clean components, and won't do as well with oxidized or older circuit boards.So I'd say 0.5mm or around that size would be optimal for a beginner (or all around ok solder to use)

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 03:47:29 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on October 05, 2021, 03:41:16 pmThese are the things that I am gonna do:- Desoldering the analog stick from a PS2 controller and then soldering a new one in its place.- Soldering a PFC connector to the PS2 controller.- DIY audio kits such as headphone amplifiers, Sold state and tube.I already have two cheap 0.3mm rolls:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/304048070779https://www.ebay.ca/itm/163799402270?var=463346615180and a cheap .8mm roll....Should I get the Kester .5mm, .8mm or .381.mm ?

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 05:04:30 pm
content: Get the 0,5 mm version ... you already have 0.8 and you say you have 0.38 ... so 0.5 will be there in the middle.liquid / gel flux will help you a lot in soldering things like pfc connectors or other connectors that can be soldered using drag soldering . Drag soldering is basically... you add a bunch of solder to your tip and you drag tip across contacts/pins and the solder flows up the contacts and solders - but while you put solder on the tip the flux inside the solder burns out, so you need separate flux applied on the circuit board and the contacts of the part... as you bring the hot solder near the flux heats up and does its job attacking the surfaces and preparing them for the solder you introduce and you get a solid connection.Liquid flux pens are kinda expensive - personally I buy my flux from TME.eu which distributes a Polish brand called AG Thermopasty / TopnikBut almost all of the fluxes on this page would be good :long tme.eu linkStay away from "water soluble", "synthethic", "organic" ... they're mislead ... water soluble fluxes require careful cleaning of the area to remove the flux otherwise it keeps corroding over time, and those other organic or green or whatever fluxes are usually much more toxic for you and stronger and may require cleaningFrom the link above, I use the Topnik TK bottles but in the future I may switch to a more gel like flux as gels tend to stay more in the area you apply them while liquid fluxes of course they spread a bit.SDG Electronics did a comparison between various fluxes on Youtube ;Also if interested, he compared a bunch of solder here :

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 05:19:21 pm
content: Any cheaper alternatives to Kester ? Are CHIPQUIK and SAINSMART good brands ?Also, Which Kester type should I buy ? Is this the one I want ?:https://www.amazon.ca/Kester-24-6337-0010-Rosin-Solder-SPOOL/dp/B00068IJWC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Kester+6337&qid=1633447157&sr=8-3

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 05:49:17 pm
content: Chipquick is an OK brand but they became popular with their low melting point solders, not regular solders.Those low melt solders are based on bismuth and indium and are good for desoldering things (you apply solder and once liquid it stays liquid for some time so you can cover all pins/contacts in this special type of solder and then lift the part because solder stays liquid)They have a good reputation, so I don't think they'd kill their reputation with bad quality regular solder.The prices may seem low but please double check the quantity - you may buy 50-100g of solder for $10, or you could get 450-500g of Kester solder for $35 - much better value.Look also on Digikey.com or Newark for solders. as these companies are distributors of these companies.Kester, Multicore, MG Chemicals, Stannol Edsyn ... these are all solid brands of solder.Get rosin based or no clean flux solders, with 2-3% flux inside .. stay away from water soluble or organic/green fluxes... that's pretty much all you need to know.Here's digikey link with filters applied to show only 63/37 or 62/36/2 (extra silver) or 63/36 and some copper added (supposedly extend soldering iron tip)Link :https://www.digikey.com/short/jhp37rmpList is ordered by price so you'll see there 30g of Chipquick for 5$ or 50g or chipquick for 8$ but filter to see 100g and more and get more value for the money.For example 250g of Multicore 63/37 for $26 plus shipping:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/multicore/386844/2498915Here's Newark Canada solders with 63/37 and varieties that include silver or copper :https://canada.newark.com/w/c/tools-production-supplies/soldering-stations-accessories/solder/solder-wire/prl/results?solder-alloy=60-38-2-sn-pb-cu|60-62-63-sn-60-en-96sc-97sc-sac387-sac305-99c-sncu-95a-snsb-96s-snag|60-62-63-sn-96sc-97sc-sac387-sac305-99c-sncu-95a-snsb-96s-snag|62-36-2-sn-pb-ag|63-37-sn-pb&sort=P_PRICE#Duratool is Newark's internal brand .. some models are Multicore, some are Stannol, some are other brands ... but I couldn't tell you which is which... so I'd say it's not worth trying your luck.No comment about sainsmart ... probably someone that buys cheap solder and re-spools it or something like that.

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 06:01:31 pm
content: QuoteI am gonna go withKester 24-6337-0010 44 Rosin Core Solder. With this solder, Should I clean up after soldering ?Should I always cleanup when using a rosin core solder ?Do the following two solders need cleanup ?https://www.ebay.ca/itm/304048070779https://www.ebay.ca/itm/163799402270?var=463346615180Should I use 70% or 99% Isopropyl alcohol for cleanup ?Many Thanks

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 06:05:35 pm
content: Good Morning l3gi0n,This stuff is GREAT:https://www.amazon.com/KESTER-SOLDER-24-7150-9727-SN62PB36AG02-Solder/dp/B078Z2TRHW

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 06:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: l3gi0n on October 05, 2021, 06:01:31 pmThat Kester 44 .020 is what I use, you'll be happy. The Chipquik would be fine as well. You don't have to clean up, but I usually do. As for the IPA, I use both--70% first (the water helps) and the 99% as the final rinse.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2021, 06:18:44 pm
content: Quote from: l3gi0n on October 05, 2021, 06:01:31 pmstay away from ebay shit that's no name. You buy shit. you get shit. Don't waste your money.edit: you may order 63/37 and then you get lead free solder or you get other product not pictured For example, title says 2% flux but the label on the solder in pictures say 1.2% flux.Read datasheet for that solder.It will tell you if it requires cleaning or not. Proper distributors like Digikey or Newark will have datasheet for each product.Typically Rosin core and no-clean solders don't require cleaning of flux after soldering. RA (rosin activated) and RMA (rosin mildly activated) MAY need to be cleaned, but may because very few solders with flux of these types require cleaning.You can clean with isopropyl alcohol, can be lower purity, even 90% should be fine ... 70% would work but not as well.You can also clean with acetone (nail polish remover is acetone with some perfume, but you can find acetone by itself easily) but keep in mind acetone can attack some plastics (for example may blur out led lens if you wipe flux around a led and wipe acetone over the lens) or take printed text off plastic sleeves of components or plastic components (if the text isn't laser etched).70% isopropyl alcohol is for disinfecting your hands, it kills bacteria and stuff much more effectively compared to higher concentration versions, because the water helps alcohol get into fatty cells of the bad things on your hands and damage them for good. With less water the alcohol is not as effective.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2021, 08:59:59 am
content: FYI, many no-clean fluxes are impossible to clean using just IPA, leaving behind a white residue (of non-alcohol-soluble salts). Commercial flux cleaners have no trouble with that. Rosin flux (like the Kester 44) is generally much easier to clean off.Kester 44 has been my everyday solder for years, it’s good stuff. I also have some Felder, Stannol, MG Chemicals, and Elsold. All are excellent.At work we have Stannol, Multicore, Elsold, and Felder, and we use Chip Quik solder paste, which is very good.AIM, Indium, Alpha Metals, and Almit are other top-quality brands, but I’ve never used them. (Other than Almit liquid flux which I like a lot.)