Multicore 370 vs Kester 44 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 04:15:57 pm
content: I'm almost through my roll of lead free shit, so I'm about to get new solder. Any suggestions?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 07:06:42 pm
content: Both are top notch, so you wouldn't go wrong with either.There are also other brands that would be worth considering, such as AIM (American Iron & Metals) or MG Chemicals, that you might be able to get for a bit less money. Please note, that the smaller you go in diameter, the more expensive it is (i.e. .020" will cost more than .032" for the same size roll from the same family).There are others, but I'm less/not familiar with them. One that would be easily available, would be SRA's house brand (no idea who actually makes it). As a general rule, I'd just stay away from Asian made sources if you're not willing to take a chance.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:15:50 pm
content: How is multicomp (Newark) solder?

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:57:32 pm
content: I've used Kester 44 63/37 literally for decades. It's one of the few things in this world that just works. Shop around a little and you should be able to find it at reasonable prices.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 11:01:30 pm
content: Multicomp is rebranded solder ... some of them are Multicore, some of them are Stannol, some of them are less known brands ... check the datasheets and you will find references like "Multicomp 362 something something" which you'll find the phrase "Multicore 362 something something" in the Multicore 362 solder wire.For example, see here:http://www.newark.com/multicomp/507-1239/solder-wire-60-40-0-9mm-250g/dp/15J7240Datasheet herehttp://www.farnell.com/datasheets/315233.pdfsays :"Multicomp 400, 502, 505 and 511 cored wires are manufactured with a range of flux contents. Although users will normally be usingproducts with a nominal flux content of 3%, the superior performance of the these products may allow a lower flux content to bespecified e.g 2.2%."If you delete Multicomp and enter the phrase in google you get :http://www.stannol.de/en/products/solder-wires/?tx_produktselektor_filter=Kristall%20511&tx_produktselektor_filter=show&tx_produktselektor_filter=Productdatasheet:http://www.stannol.de/fileadmin/Service/Dokumente/Dokumente_TDB/D/TDB_LD_Kristall_Serie_EN.pdfwhere you find the same phrase on first page (damn document not allowing copy paste)

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 11:11:42 pm
content: Yes that number are equal to the stannol ones.I use at school the stannol kristal 505. It's a damn good solder but with very strong flux. The type you don't want on things that must last decades... But if you repair or use old component is one of the world best in that.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 02:46:15 am
content: Quote from: ampdoctor on December 11, 2013, 10:57:32 pmWhere do you typically buy it? Digi-Key is quite expensive and not a great selection. Newark is worse.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 03:52:18 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on December 12, 2013, 02:46:15 amYou might want to take a look atall-spec.com.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 03:54:01 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 12, 2013, 03:52:18 amThanks. Pretty good prices. What I paid for my lead free shit.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 03:54:57 am
content: Also, do we prefer 60/40 or 63/37? I heard that 63/37 has a more definite melting point, but that is not really that important.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 04:20:44 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on December 12, 2013, 03:54:57 amPretty much.63/37 is classified as eutectic, which means it solidifies/liquefies at one temp. 60/40 OTOH, has a range that it remains plastic (some solids in a liquid), so you can quickly shift something if you need to due to ~10F it has between fully liquid and fully solid states (also means you can disturb the joint, and have to reflow it). Slightly shinier as well in a proper joint.For hobbyist use, it's pretty much personal preference rather than process constraints (i.e. old spec that mandates 60/40, which has been around longer).Personally, I prefer 63/37 as I don't have to wait as long for the joint to cool to tackle the next joint. Particularly for SMT IC's.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 05:17:26 am
content: Kester 44 from All-Spec it is!

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 12:53:46 pm
content: hmm thats a damn good price, does anyone know where to get it in europe for a decent price. or how much would be the shipping from the us to me?, farnell stocks it at 2 times the price plus the their import charge from the usa warehouse

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 04:04:16 pm
content: $16 for USPS first class package to Italy

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 04:14:38 pm
content: italy?thats the flipped version of this flag btwbut ffs still lot cheaper then buying it from farnell

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2013, 06:00:01 am
content: I just went ahead and purchased a cheap roll of MG Chemicals 60/40 RA Flux. Does the job just fine!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2013, 06:44:51 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on December 21, 2013, 06:00:01 amMG Chemicals makes good stuff.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2013, 05:17:00 pm
content: AFAIK, there stuff is quite good. I have used their RA flux and solder braid before and was quite impressed. The price isn't the lowest, but it is quite good.

author: orjan-
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 08:47:59 pm
content: I know this thread is a little bit old, but i was looking for solder myself and i came across very good prices on kester solder.http://www.stanleysupplyservices.comis authorized dealer of kester, and sell most of the 1lb spools of kester solder for 20-30$. The smaller dimension kester 44 63/37 only cost 21-23$

author: true
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 05:46:07 am
content: SSS is like the unspoken of the Internet for some reason. Never really hear about it. Maybe because it looks scam-ish, but I have placed a few orders and they ahve always been delivered promptly...they usually also come with printed MSDS sheets for everything. (Regarding solder, I think I got Kester 285 63/37 .032 from there. Which works great by the way.)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 01:48:32 pm
content: Quote from: true on February 03, 2014, 05:46:07 amThey're definitely not a scam site.Unfortunately, they do tend to be on the expensive side most of the time, which is why I suspect most skip them. Other sites with similar pricing have an advantage on stock carried IMHO, that still make them more attractive. Solder or other supplies for example, can be used as a filler item/s to exceed any Minimum Order Amount requirement, or get the purchase price high enough to qualify for free shipping, thus making another site less expensive in the end.Another, but much smaller issue IMHO, is their website. Less information, and you're more likely to need specific manufacturer P/N's to find what you're looking for.