Reselling Flux - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:04:07 am
content: I was just curious, is it worth it to purchase a large bottle (1 gal) of something like Kester 951, and resell it on eBay? I need some new Flux, this kester stuff seems very good, however I cannot use 1 gal and would like to recoup some of my cost.

author: johansen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:05:57 am
content: i really doubt anyone is going to buy it.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:08:17 am
content: Really?http://www.ebay.com/itm/KESTER-951-NO-CLEAN-FLUX-FOR-PS3-XBOX-REFLOW-1-25oz-/130507588209?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e62dbc271

author: gibbled
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:15:58 am
content: I'd like to get a pint or quart of Kester 1544...Not sure how best to ship to Canada though.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:17:18 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 10, 2014, 02:04:07 amAs long as you don't mind spending the time to decant it into some smaller container (such as...) and shipping it and can do it cheaper/faster than the competition.NB: think about postage issues, being a liquid (and probably an inflammable one) you don't want it leaking everywhere and having the USPS get a little upset with you :-)

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:32:15 am
content: Find somebody selling the amount you need and buy that. Kester 951 is flammable. There are many restrictions and regulations pertaining to the shipment of flammable materials. Failure to comply exactly will prove to be extremely costly if discovered.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:42:01 am
content: OK. So it seems that this stuff is not very easy to ship. However, the flashpoint is 18 *C which according to USPS is mailable with surface transport.http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_018.htm

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 02:53:10 am
content: It is shippable - that's how you get it from Kester in the first place. But there are many packaging and labeling rules you need to follow, and the penalties for not doing so are severe.For international, you're going to be looking at UPS or Fedex hazardous materials shipping, which is going to cost more than the flux.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 03:01:53 am
content: USPS should just be the same if your not looking to ship international.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 03:49:10 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 10, 2014, 02:08:17 amJust get some from the seller you linked, and see how it works for you.Bought a bottle of Kester 186 from the same seller, and it seems to be genuine from what I can tell (smells right & works).Lot easier at any rate IMHO.No issues with receiving it (also flammable, as it contains acetone; IIRC, 951 uses IPA as it's solvent).

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 04:55:33 am
content: Hi,I used to rosin flux. I recently switched to MG Chemical No clean paste flux 8341.http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/solder/fluxes/no-clean-flux-paste-8341/I like this a lot better.I clean using IPA or MG Chemicals 4140http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/solder/flux-removers/flux-remover-for-pc-boards-4140/Jay_Diddy_B

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 05:57:28 am
content: Quote from: gibbled on February 10, 2014, 02:15:58 ammsds just shows:40-50% rosin20-25% sec-butanol20-25% ethanol1.0-2.5% isopropanol<= 1.0% dimethylammonium chloride<= 1.0% methanolpretty simple recipe.why not just roll your own? there may be a few tricks to producing it to the same quality that kester does though..

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 11:53:07 am
content: It probably isn't all that flammable, given that its intended use is to be heated to several hundred degrees with a hot iron, or we'd be seeing a lot more "my flux caught fire" incidents while soldering...

author: gibbled
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 07:06:37 pm
content: Quote from: Fsck on February 10, 2014, 05:57:28 amReally like the idea of homemade flux, what I'm really after though is a more activated version of Kester 186.The old SP-44 works well but is greasy and doesn't rinse off completely with alcohol.Has anyone successfully "activated" their homemade rosin flux?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 07:29:43 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on February 10, 2014, 11:53:07 amI imagine it's rather flammable if exposed to flame.IPA doesn't burn in contact with a soldering iron, but the fumes sure as hell go up if you let a spark or flame near them!

author: Co6aka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 08:57:06 pm
content: One gallon of Kester 951 is $31.92 plus whatever shipping is...http://gokimco.com/kester-63-0000-0951-951-low-solids-no-clean-liquid-flux-1-gallon.htmlSeems inexpensive enough. Not one person local to you who might split the gallon with you, or something like that?

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 10:25:39 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on February 10, 2014, 11:53:07 amLiquid flux is largely composed of alcohol, which I assure you is very flammable.Kester lists an ignition temp of 370C for 951.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2014, 02:04:03 am
content: Quote from: Co6aka on February 10, 2014, 08:57:06 pmI am in Houston, TX. You tell them about a resistor and they look at you with a blank stare. I hope that clarifies.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2014, 05:28:03 am
content: Just buy some of the RadioShack stuff in a 10oz bucket, it's only $5 and more than you'll really need anytime soon.