Liquid flux brands? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 01:18:39 am
content: Just wondering what Liquid flux brands I should look out for as i've only used flux paste till now?

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 01:24:29 am
content: Kester is my personal favorite.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:31:29 am
content: +1 on Kester.But there are others, such as MG Chemicals, AIM, and Multicore. Being in the England, Multicore might be easier to find (farnell carries it).

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:36:30 am
content: Thanks nanofrogWas having trouble finding Kester over here in anything other then penform, so will check out some of those other brands!

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:37:03 am
content: Superior flux is good try ithttp://www.ccis.com/home/hn/

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:41:40 am
content: +1 multicore would be my european/not-kester choice

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:42:35 am
content: Quote from: Fsck on August 14, 2013, 08:41:40 amWell I do like there solder!

author: Chryseus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 11:33:55 am
content: I prefer to make my own flux since it's a lot cheaper and you can make it as thick or thin as you want.Just get some rosin and crush it into a fine power, mix with a small quantity of isopropyl alcohol and leave for a day or so.It works just as good as the most expensive stuff, although it's not as aggressive as some so you don't need to clean it.

author: MrAureliusR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 01:21:10 pm
content: I'm very curious about making my own flux -- do you mean the same rosin, as in rosin cakes, that are used for rosining horsehair cello bows? I used to play the cello way back when and if it's the same stuff that's a laugh! It'd be easy to get and easy to make. I always figured it was a different 'recipe' or something than just standard rosin cakes.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 02:09:45 pm
content: Yes i do it this way but it's not powerful.You can use this alcoool and rosin mix on a new pcb to protect it and allow better soldering and it work fantastic but no much more.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 05:29:49 pm
content: Quote from: MrAureliusR on August 14, 2013, 01:21:10 pmYes. BTW, if you use this, make sure you sand the wax off of the rosin cake first.Another source, is using the search term "colophony" on eBay. Cheaper too from what I've seen (i.e. ~$6.00 - 7.00 for 1lb).

author: MrAureliusR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 15, 2013, 04:36:10 pm
content: I don't think I'm understanding your caveat.QuoteIf I could use it on a PCB to allow better soldering then why couldn't I use it in any other situation with soldering? I basically want to have flux around to add to a solder point before soldering, like in the SMD soldering video Dave did. Just to ensure my (already flux-cored) solder flows underneath and creates nice fillets.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 15, 2013, 09:45:41 pm
content: I prefer tacky fluxes over liquid ones. Easier to use and they don't evaporate in a moment.