Multicore/Loctite Solder Question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ungolian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2021, 09:56:19 pm
content: I've been soldering for years, I've used Radio Shack 62/36/2 solid core solder exclusively (so much so that when Radio Shack started to go out of business, I bought the last 12 rolls they had). I'm down to 2 rolls. I like the 63/37 ratio, and the silver makes extra shiny joints. I don't really like rosin core as I use my own liquid flux, and it's easier to clean. I can still get that solder from the Radio Shack website (surprised it still exists...), but it's literally twice the price it used to be. $10US an ounce. While poking around on YouTube for a replacement solder, I found a good video by SDG Electronics that was basically a solder shootout. Two of the Multicore solders he used looked like good replacements- their Smart Solder and their Ersine 505. Both rosin core, but fairly low on the sizzle/splatter, and seems like they are fairly easy to clean. BUT, after several hours of looking on Ebay, Amazon, Digikey, Mouser, etc., I can't seem to find either. I did some poking around on this forum, and found a thread on Multicore 62/36/2 (which even had the same SDG Electronics video that started all of this), but there was no mention about the stuff I was looking for, or the lack of availability. Does anyone know if the Multicore/Loctite product line is just undergoing changes, and what I'm looking for has been phased out? Has anyone used the Kester or Edsyn equivalents and can comment on the ease of use and cleaning?

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2021, 05:35:54 am
content: I have no idea what may or may not be happening with Ersin or Loctite solders and have never used them, but will say that in my experience you won't go wrong with Kester - I've been using their solders since the early 80s - rosin core '44' in (earlier) 60/40 and (currently) 63/37 or 62/36/2. For circuit boards that I can wash right after soldering, I like to use their '331' water soluble flux cored solder; the only caveat there is that you MUST wash the boards as it is hygroscopic and will corrode (found out the hard way 20-some-odd years ago at work when someone made up some boards with it but didn't clean them - went to use them some time later and had some corrosion issues). A few minutes under warm water scrubbing gently with a toothbrush until it stops foaming followed by a quick isopropyl rinse to clear the water and all is good.FWIW.-Pat<edit to add - a quick Amazon search shows that they have 60/40 multicore, though it's not entirely clear whether it's 0.44 or 0.5mm:https://www.amazon.com/MULTICORE-LOCTITE-3096525-M-SOLDER-WIRE/dp/B00DKF13JY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=multicore+solder&qid=1614663481&s=hi&sr=1-1>

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 11:41:31 am
content: Quote from: Ungolian on February 28, 2021, 09:56:19 pmSilver shouldn’t make joints any shinier — 63/37 is already fully shiny. The silver makes it slightly harder to work with (it doesn’t wet quite as well) and adds a lot of cost. It’s really only needed when you need to prevent silver contacts from dissolving.Henkel has really ramped down production of leaded solders under all its brand names (Loctite, Multicore), as has Stannol. Kester still makes most of them, and Kester remains the gold standard to me.Any brand name solder will be good, though: Kester, Loctite/Multicore, Stannol, AIM, Alpha Metals, Indium, Tamura, Almit, Chip Quik, MG Chemicals, Felder, etc etc etc.Look on Digi-Key, Mouser, Farnell, etc. and see what you find.