DIY rosin flux solids - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 01:05:57 pm
content: Some time ago I bought rosin on Ebay. Crushed it up and dissolved it in Isopropanol later to filter it and let some of the alcohol evaporate off to make it thicker.Now it's like syrup and I think it works really well, but what I have noticed is a lot of crystals slowly forming.I reckon it's over saturated. Is this the polymerization that glycerin, that is commonly used in flux recipes, is supposed to prevent?

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 01:57:37 pm
content: Yes, glycerin is a binding agent which mitigates that. A common recipe tells to add about 2-3% glycerin.

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 02:00:37 pm
content: Ah excellent. I just ordered 500 ml of vegetable glycerin. Hopefully it'll pure enough not to contaminate everything

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 02:18:50 pm
content: If it doen't help you can use it also as lubricant or moisturizer (beauty cream). And since you are from Sweden you should know another product based on glycerin :-) (Hint: there's a link to a well known academic honor).

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 02:28:41 pm
content: First I was thinking a laxative, but then I recalled the main ingredient in dynamite. I'll report back on the progress

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 03:19:05 pm
content: A lit stick of dynamite works pretty well as a laxative I imagine

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 03:26:45 pm
content: Quote from: sleemanj on April 14, 2013, 03:19:05 pmI'm not an expert but I think it not done by lighting (just a movie myth).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 03:38:28 pm
content: C4 makes a great firelighter, burns quite hot. Dynamite does make a very good way to calm down a racing heart though, you get little pellets of it for angina, and these are TSA approved ( with a prescription, airlines do not want passengers being told that the medicine they have to have is not allowed in the plane, it could cause the person to drop dead right there) to carry on as hand luggage. 500mG though will not make a big bang though.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 04:51:35 pm
content: I had a friend on nitroglycerin tablets, he took so many that I told him that if he fell down the stairs he would blow the house up.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 04:56:09 pm
content: Nitroglycerin patch or medicine grade will not explode no matter how you treat it.Just google for Mythbuster series on "Exploding Nitro Patches".Myth statement : Defibrillator can cause medical nitroglycerin chest patches to explode.Notes : Using a homemade defibrillator, the build team attempted to see whether the electric shock it created was enough to cause the nitroglycerin in the patches to explode. However, the defibrillator failed to detonate the patches, including reproductions of older model aluminum-backed patches, as wellpure nitroglycerindabbed directly to the body. The build team was forced to use custom made, high power explosives to blow up the body.Status :BUSTED

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 05:10:02 pm
content: Explosives are generally safe, unless they are old, have been contaminated or stored at high ambient temperature and have crystallised. Then they become touchy. Note that with certain explosives storing them in contact with copper, brass or aluminium is enough to make very unstable compounds that are very shock sensitive. Some are so sensitive that they will detonate if exposed to low levels of light.On the other hand detonators are dangerous. They are safe if stored and used correctly, but otherwise you might forever be known as Stumpie, or One Eyed Jack.

author: Arp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2013, 09:10:04 pm
content: Ok so 4 ml of "vegetable glycerine" was added, to what I roughly estimate to be ~130ml of liquid. Stirred it, and had to press pretty hard to break up the crystals. Now it's so thick and gel-like that I can even flip the bottle upside down without the surface movingWill test this stuff during my next soldering session

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2013, 02:19:05 am
content: You've probably just had too much of your alcohol evaporate...

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 03:03:55 pm
content: So how well did it work?And is that the expected usage of solid rosin, as an ingredient?

author: Wh1sper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 03:20:48 pm
content: I'm using colophony, I think it's chemical identical to rosin.I bought it as powder.Filled it up in an old tin-box.+: its easy to dump old wires and such into the powder. Always enough to have a good soldering experience O0-: it's a bit smoky, but what the hell I'm living for?-: easy to dump it on the bench

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 03:46:50 pm
content: I got some "XY-5"fluxrosin on eBay. I expected a paste, but it's perfectly solid. Is the only sensible way to use it is dissolved in a recipe similar to the above? It's also somewhat grimy. Is this going to matter much?

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 04:07:32 pm
content: A while ago I bought half a kilo of colophony flakes (found it at an agriculture store; they are intended for stripping the hair off the back of pigs when slaughter time comes around). I dissolved them in 99% pure IPA so I got the viscosity similar to room temperature motor oil. I then poured the mix into one ofthesebottles, put a generous amount of hot snot around the inner tube assembly and then quickly screwed on the top cover, to compress the whole thing and seal every potential leak (these bottles are prone to leaking, especially when you squeeze them a bit). Works like a charm.I call it my magic solder juice.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 04:45:17 pm
content: Not trying to be a wise-as****, but trying to bring up a real point....I am confused, guys. Many complained about cheap solder flux from China. As we do these DYI mixture, add this, add that... All being unknown quality sources (how pure is your glycerin from an agricultural source?)In the end, may be some cheap Chinese soldering paste is the better solution? At least millions of dollars worth of electronics are running soldered using those, and some use them commercially.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 05:18:44 pm
content: Have you ever thought why so many corporations have their products manufactured in China?The Chinese don't care about the environmental impact of the substances they use, they don't care if their workers get leukemia from breathing benzene fumes every day and that sort of stuff. Just because the fluxes you can buy in China work for soldering, doesn't mean they don't have an impact on your health.I'm not saying breathing in burnt pine rosin is good for you, but I'd be willing to bet it's less toxic than some random Chinese flux you find on eBay.Also, solidified rosin is inert. It's not going to damage your PCB even if you don't clean it that well. This is a huge advantage for hobbyists, who often lack proper tools to completely remove flux residue off their PCBs.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 08:01:58 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on June 19, 2014, 05:18:44 pmAfter 20 million people died of hunger (1950-1960), breathing benzene fumes every day to stay alive sounds like a good deal.(some what later, different location)I am not talking hypothetical here. Some half century ago,I was a kid working in one of those “breathing benzene fumes” places making transistor radios. I for one am happy I had the opportunity to work for “the heartless capitalist” in “appalling conditions”. It gave me another 40 to 50 years even if I am to die tomorrow. Hack, I even lasted long enough go to college and then get a graduate degree. It beats the alternatives.We in the western world are full of concede but lack of understanding. As the society gets wealth, work condition will improve accordingly. You want a job to feed the family first before you want a safe job. You want a safe job first before you want a nice job. As the society get wealth, life will improve as will job conditions.In our foolishness, we even try to "stop child labor", we are taking food away from those who truly needs it. My child's school has some "stop child labor" drive. I had to stop her stone cold and told her - but for the food that "piece work" and "child labor" provided, I would not be here nor would she. Lets not deprive other child from working, LIVING, fight and get some education, and have a chance to grow up to have a decent living.As long as there is free competition, improvements will continue. Look at the fast pace the well-trained Indian are switching jobs in their tech area.You want to help them? Buy from them. As their wealth build, they can afford a better life.RickEDIT: I have to come back in to edit to give credit where it is due. By the time I was working in my pre-teen and early-teens, it was less for survival but for improvement. My elder siblings did a lot more of those "piece work" and "child labor". They were more responsible for the family's survival than any of my work. Particularly my elder sister (RIP) who also immigrated to the USA as I did. Without her help, I would not have been able to attend college. I miss her every day.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2014, 08:26:35 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on June 19, 2014, 04:07:32 pmI always have problems with the liquid rosin drying in the applicator tube and clogging it so I use a small glass bottle with a brush mounted to the inside of the cap.

author: Simon123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2014, 11:32:23 pm
content: I use nitro thinner and rosin sold for shaving pigs when slaughtered.-i get it in grocery store or supermarketIt works realy good.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 01:10:34 am
content: Quote from: Rick Law on June 19, 2014, 04:45:17 pmBut there's no way to know the stuff you buy on eBay is the same as what factories use.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 08:38:49 am
content: http://www.circuitnet.com/experts/67321.shtmlthat organic gluten free stuff is fine, its the aggressive water soluble flux that needs to be cleaned before it attacks and corrodes the board

author: magetoo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2014, 06:57:29 am
content: Quote from: lpc32 on June 19, 2014, 03:03:55 pmBowed instruments use it to help the bow grip the strings - without it, the scratchy noises don't happen. It should be available in music stores.Quote from: Dave on June 19, 2014, 04:07:32 pmI had no idea.

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2014, 08:07:29 am
content: Here! Here! Rick Law"You want to help them? Buy from them. As their wealth build, they can afford a better life."Rick"EDIT: I have to come back in to edit to give credit where it is due. By the time I was working in my pre-teen and early-teens, it was less for survival but for improvement. My elder siblings did a lot more of those "piece work" and "child labor". They were more responsible for the family's survival than any of my work. Particularly my elder sister (RIP) who also immigrated to the USA as I did. Without her help, I would not have been able to attend college. I miss her every day."I may disagree on some details, like free trade policies that encourage developing nations plus China, India and similar "less" wealthy nations to ignore health standards,etc. I understand Dave's distaste for "Chinese made" products. There are plenty of, actually many people from English speaking countries that have lost jobs that moved to China. What is disturbing to so many in the SF-Bay Area are the IT jobs, Engineering jobs, even legal jobs moving to India and China.If yo watch the YouTube video Humans Need not Applythe link is:We have a great dilemma indeed about our future of jobs and careers in the western nations. By letting China and India not compete on equal footing does screw westerners.However that said, Buying "Chinese" products on eBay..getting scammed once in awhile for some $30 item that appears it may be fun to play with...This is the only way help a nation of over a million human beings to live more on par with nations like the USA where I happen to live.I buy Mastech, I buy Uni-T and I buy some of the silly gadgets like a $25 5MHz DDS signal generator.I owe my life to so many Chinese=American friends I grew up with.Their families all came to the US to find a better life. Some through ways we whitey's simply could not comprehend. As the US cry's "too many illegal aliens" we fail to support the people who are trying to make a better life in their own country.Sorry, this has become may diatribe. And probably is inappropriate in this thread or even on this forum. However, I get really irritated with all the slamming of China. If we want to bring jobs back to the US,(and elsewhere?) is too create wealth as quickly as possible in these countries.Besides, China is really proud of Uni-T. They consider it their "Fluke" of China. Of course, Fluke is better, however we should give them credit and respect their effort.Does anyone remember what Doc Brown said inBack to The Future? Michael Jay Fox responded....?We, Americans, have produced an awful lot of junk. We still do.So, what is wrong with this "Chinese" Flux??Isn’t Flux simply Pine Rosin, some alcohol, and some type of gel, if you want a paste?What is the "No-Clean" flux composed of?

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2014, 10:23:01 am
content: Rosin/IPA mix works well, but I don't like how it becomes thick and sticky when IPA evaporates. nitro thinner is better, because it evaporates quickly and leaves solid and dry layer of rosin. The downside is that many components (for example switches and buttons) don't handle nitro very well and they often fail.I think, that in order for the IPA /rosin mix to work fine it has to be a fairly weak solution, such as for example RF800 type of flux.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2014, 08:36:35 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on June 19, 2014, 08:01:58 pmYes, we would still be here. If ~5 extra years of pathetic productivity of kids is essential for survival you already have a foot in the grave to begin with. Their access to education is almost completely orthogonal to the availability of child labour as well. You could argue child labour makes these countries more competitive on the international market place, but generations of humans have fed themselves without being competitive on the international market place. If a country relies on child labour to feed itself then any international economic shock (aka. the near future) will leave them hungry. Destruction of the environment and poor working conditions are not the only way towards progress and pretty soon they won't be a way period.That said, I don't see how all this is relevant to the potential presence of harmful chemicals in cheap Chinese fluxes ... sacrificing all in favour of competitiveness could be a good idea for them, but forgive me if I try to avoid suffering from it as much as possible. You strike me as the enlightened self interest type, if so that should be fine with you.