Solder diameter for SMD - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 09:02:55 pm
content: Any preferences on solder diameter size for work in the range of 1206, 0805, and maybe some 0603? Seems like coin toss between .025" and .020"

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 09:12:42 pm
content: I prefer to use 0.25 mm for evreything small SMD. Though for <0402 even this feels too thick. 0.5mm for small to average through hole jobs.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 09:15:36 pm
content: 0.8mm with a 1mm conical tip works just fine for me, but I've done solder rework 1 hour a day for years now, so it could just be that i am used to it,tack one corner, swipe along the other before the flux boils off,

author: slurry
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 09:23:47 pm
content: Sometimes 0,25 but mostly 0,65mm (0,62 or 0,63 depending on manuf.)i think it is much easier to work 0805 with thicker than thinner due to higher flux content, many of my old colleagues also prefer thicker than thinner for the same reason,0402 is a bi*ch with anything but tinned pad, heat and liquid flux.. 0603 is ok with 0,25mm.No thin tips for me, chisel for quick heat transfer and work fast instead

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 10:11:03 pm
content: I recently switched from 0.5mm (20mil) to 0.38mm (15mil) and love it. It flows better, doesn't have that flux-less mushroom head and easier to control. It's now my standard solder wire and I use it also for through hole (e.g. 0.1" headers).http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/397982/82-131-ND/2498929

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 10:24:31 pm
content: Thanks for the replies.For starters, seems like it's good to get our inches and millimeters squared awaySo far it seems like some people like larger diameters .031"/.8mm and .025"/.63mm to get more flux, but zapta likes .015"/.38mm better than .020"/.5mmIt's kind of on the fence....

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 10:50:24 pm
content: Solder diameter doesn't really affect anything for SMD work. There's usually more than enough solder still on the tip to do the job to at least 0805 size. I just keep the tip well tinned and use liquid flux to do the job. My solder spools are 0.025" and 0.031" diameter (RMA and No Clean) fwiw.The KEY is decent liquid flux. RMA flux works great, though must be washed. No Clean fluxes are ok for rework but not nearly as nice (from my experience) as RMA. I have a bottle with tip dispenser filled with both variants.cheers,george.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 11:12:35 pm
content: 0.3mm for SMD0.7mm for TH

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2015, 02:23:18 am
content: ~30 mil (1/32", 0.75mm) is fine if you're careful (use a light touch) and aren't doing smaller stuff (0603, TSSOP, etc.). The bulky 0805+, SOIC, SOT, etc. is all easily done that way. Yeah you might put on big globby pads from time to time, but that doesn't hurt too badly.I currently use 20 mil (0.5mm), anything around there I would consider fine for any leaded part. I would dare say, anything smaller than that would be irritating to use, as it would contain so little solder per length that you have to use a real pile of it when you have to do through-hole pads. It's annoying enough to solder a big >1.5mm i.d. pad with this stuff, I use several cm at a time!There are oodles of tinier packages, but that's the thing, they're tiny, and usually buried type (LGA/BGA), practically unsolderable. You want paste and reflow for those.Speaking of paste, it is handy to do TSSOP/QFN scale stuff, even with an iron. I certainly wouldn't call it a necessity nor a game-changer though.Tim

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2015, 03:50:45 am
content: For 1206 & 805, you'd do well with 0.20"/.51mm, though if you've good eyesight, steady hands, and sufficient lighting, .025"/.635mm works as well (very easy to over-add solder). Once you hit 0603, you might seriously want to switch to .015"/.40mm if your eyesight and steadiness of hands is meh (.020" works for good vision & solid hands).Chisels work better than conical for most point to point passive SMD's, though a very fine conical has it's place in sticking down single IC legs to hold it in position before drag soldering.As mentioned, plenty of flux is definitely your friend, so go for quality supplies with enough flux inside (i.e. 3% flux content by weight). And if you need more (definitely will with drag soldering), don't be shy; add it.Stick with brands such as Kester, AIM (American Iron & Metals), Multicore (Henkel), Alpha (Cookson), Indium, MG Chemicals, Techspray, or Stannol (flux, solder, & desolder wick). FWIW, buying additional flux in liquid form (bottles) is more economical than disposable pens.

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2015, 07:24:15 am
content: I mostly use Stannol, Multicore and Felder. Ranging from 0,23mm (0,009) for small SMD (0402) upto 0,7mm (0,028) for very large connections like relays, thick wires etc. I mostly use are 0,3 and 0,5mm, wich works great for troughhole and SMD upto 0805. I have standard solderstations, so going smaller than 0402 would need some special gear.

author: MrAureliusR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 05:08:40 am
content: I've used Kester for a long time now, and not only does it work really well (I find it's miles better than the MG Chemicals stuff our school uses) I really love the smell of it! I know it's crazy and I try not to breathe it in, but when I use other solders they just smell gross. I wonder why this is... I don't even think it's a conditioning thing, because I remember noticing it the first time I bought a roll.I bought two 1LB rolls, one of .6MM, one of .015" (can't remember what that is in MM) and after a LOT of soldering over a couple years it feels like I've hardly put a dent in them. About ~$40CDN ordered online, slightly more at the shops here in Canada, but well worth it if you take your soldering seriously.(I'm not really a Kester fanboy -- Multicore, AIM, etc all work just as well, and MG Chemicals make really great chemical products, I just don't like their solder)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 08:50:53 am
content: Quote from: MrAureliusR on June 02, 2015, 05:08:40 amDifferences in the flux type (synthetic resin no-clean v. rosin based product for example)?Quote from: MrAureliusR on June 02, 2015, 05:08:40 amFWIW, I find their solder to be too expensive IME (i.e. 1/2lb rolls cost as much as 1lb rolls in other brands). So I skip it for personal use. Wire diameter offered is limited as well (i.e. only go down to .032" when you want smaller).I still mention it however, as it's the type of product you can use it to pad an order to meet a free shipping requirement or minimum order amount without sacrificing performance (no other brands available, or are too expensive on 1lb rolls).As you say, their chemicals are good, and the Rosin 835 is an amazing deal for hobbyists IME (excellent performance, and a lot cheaper than disposable pens).

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 09:05:33 am
content: Can anyone recommend a good leaded 0.3mm (or smaller) solder at a sensible price ?A few years ago I bought some Hozan H-712 in Tokyo which is excellent. More recently I got some "Best" brand from Ebay which is horrible - nasty dull joints.I notice there are now quite a few brands on ebay - anyone found any good ones?

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 10:17:08 am
content: Stannol do a lead alloy 0.3mm solder. I have not used the 0.3mm variant myself, but the 0.7mm that I have used is fine.Rapid appear do appear carry it, although it's got a week lead time on it at the moment.http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equipment/Stannol-Solder-Wire-HS10-Sn60Pb39Cu1-0-3mm-100g-50-3996/?source=googleps&utm_source=googleps&IncVat=1&gclid=CO-Y9cjh8MUCFTPMtAodCDQASQ

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 10:24:03 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on June 02, 2015, 09:05:33 amNot sure of what you're after as a sensible price (what I saw on Farnell was horrifying), but the following might be of interest.Hozan H-712Also a 100g spool. Seems a bit expensive from my perspective, but for all I know, it's actually reasonable.Chemet A475(100g spool of Sn60, .3mm, RA flux @ 2.5%; made in Germany)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 10:29:12 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 29, 2015, 09:02:55 pmFor me anything from 0.5mm to 1.5mm works from 0402 sized and bigger.

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 07:24:33 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on June 02, 2015, 09:05:33 amThis stuff is lead free but solders really nicely, doesn't ball up much either so you can get really small amounts of solder on joints. We use this for prototyping at work and can easily get IPC class 3 joints. Looks expensive, but that reel will last forever,http://www.somersetsolders.com/almit-020mm-ultra-fine-lead-free-solder-wire/p2

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 01:44:39 am
content: I typically use Kester water soluble 60/40 .031 for most things. I have some .015 of the same stuff, but it seems so thin that the flux doesn't seem to do much...

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 03:13:36 am
content: I find the Japanese stuff much easier to use in smaller diameter wire like Almit and Nihon Superior.

author: wreeve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 06:46:50 am
content: Mike,FUTURE HF FAST FLOW 2% 0.315mm/30swg ALLOY 63/37. By far the best solder I have ever used by a mile. Use it every day on 0603 and even leaded, just feed it in! By a spooky coincidence I have just bought another 250g reel which lasts me for about 8 years! Bought direct from Warton Metals.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 06:51:20 am
content: I swear by 63/37, 0.3 mm. Lowest melting point and fast solidification!

author: wreeve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 07:18:07 am
content: Quote from: TheAmmoniacal on June 03, 2015, 06:51:20 amand less flux to clean as it's more targeted!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 07:20:52 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 02, 2015, 10:29:12 amSimilar here too, 0.9 - 1.2mm, although I mainly stick with 0805 and SOIC, but I'd happliy go to 0603.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 07:44:13 am
content: Multicore C511 0.35mm and 0.56mm, depending on component/lead size, and/or the task.

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 07:35:18 pm
content: Spent a few days soldering THT last week with a 936 clone, conical tip and cheap .3mm solder. What I've learned, get some bigger stuff (and order in some new chisel tips!). The amount you had to feed in was ridiculous!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2015, 08:30:42 pm
content: Yes - I use 0.8mm for most stuff but there are times when it's just too much, like touching up QFPs after braiding off shorts, 0402s etc. and that's when the 0.3 comes out .