Does anyone use Warton metals Microprint P4000 SAC305 solder paste? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 12:56:50 pm
content: I've read here that Warton metals in the UK supplies a solder paste that is equivalent to Loctite GC 10. As a hobbyist/beginner SMD solderer, I need something that has a long shelf life and is less than £100 for a 500gm tub (I hope).Warton is mentioned herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/small-quantity-of-loctite-gc-10/And the Warton solder paste is here at the top of the page.https://www.warton-metals.co.uk/solderpaste.aspxI'm asking here, as sales departments often like to upsell to the unsuspecting buyer. Also, the product is listed in particle sizes 25-45 µm (T3), 20-38 µm (T4) and 15-25 µm (T5). What would be best for soldering basic SOIC,0805,1206 type components? I'm guessing that the smaller particle sizes are best suited to smaller pitch components? Anyway, as they don't have a UK distributor, I need to buy directly. I'm waiting for feedback here before I get a direct quote from them.I kind of like this approach and as they are a company "up north" (Haslingden) I'd like to support them in a small way. But only if the paste suits my needs. Please share if you use this paste or know someone else who does. Thanks.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 01:27:10 pm
content: I have used Warton in the past, although for most of the last ~decade I have used BLT (another UK solder manufacturer, similar price point). Warton gives a very shiny joint and clear residues.The BLT paste is pretty good for about 30 days after opening the tub and using it daily. It needs barely any mixing and behaves like a well exercised paste should almost immediately. Joints are still shiny, residue slightly yellow.Very recently I have been using Warton P2010, it visibly needs a good stir before use, and it takes a bit of working to gain the texture/feel I find works well on a stencil. However I had a tub in use for about 9 weeks and seemed to work just as well at the end as the beginning. The datasheet for this is also GC10 like. To the looks of it you would mainly choose P4000 for a Halide free flux, that I have not tried and that choice is probably a personal one based on your own feelings, extraction/filtering etc.About 8 years ago people from Warton (including the chemist I think) split off and set up on their own, that company is Solderking. They have been working very hard ever since with lots of social, visits calls and relationship building. Unlike Warton they have supply partnerships with other sellers so you can find it in other online stores such as Kaisertech.Of course no manufacturer thinks you should open a pot of paste and use it for much more than a week. However I don't think any of these 3 would "upsell" you to an unnecessary product and they understand some users have different needs/limitations. Warton will sell you a 250G tub, BLT will not, not sure about SK. T3 is perfectly suitable for what you describe, T4 may be more commonly stocked.In my quotes IIRC these are all around £50 before delivery and VAT, for 500g tubs

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 04:17:32 pm
content: I've gone with SolderKing of late.They have resellers but I contacted them and buy the odd tub direct when I need one. Their solder wire is very nice to use too.I have a pot of paste from them and dip it into as and when I need to. One will last me around 6 to 9 months, after that it gets a bit dry. I never put any paste removed back in the tub. I use it for prototypes down to 0402 and fine pitch ICs without issue.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 11:32:54 am
content: Quote from: jc101 on September 26, 2024, 04:17:32 pmThere is a massive premium for the convenience of Farnell/RS etc when it comes to solder paste (and SMT consumables in general). We used to use a Loctite paste before the other brands mentioned, that used to come from Grosvenor group, which was much cheaper than Farnell/RS but still undercut by the UK guys direct.It occurs to me we've missed one vendor, Rapid. Sells Warton, and I believe its own brand R-Tech solders are also manufactured by Warton. I'm sure we have a product card here from Rapid listing some R-Tech pastes, but they don't show for me on the website.

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 03:48:06 pm
content: £131 for a 500g tub at Rapidhttps://www.rapidonline.com/catalogue/product?id=85-6644better value then the £40 for the 40gm syringe (£1 per gm)https://www.rapidonline.com/catalogue/product?id=85-6642Loctite GC 10 is £159 for 500ghttps://www.rapidonline.com/loctite-gc10-no-clean-halogen-free-solder-paste-sac305t4-885v-52k-500g-tub-85-6515

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2024, 01:32:49 am
content: Years ago, I went to huge expense and trouble to import a Warton Metals SAC305 solder paste to the US. I was wildly impressed by the improvement in soldering. I no longer have the jar so I can't say what the part # of the material I got was. I think it was just as good as GC10. But, now, I am not going to go to the trouble of importing solder paste myself when GC10 is available from US distributors.Jon