Is their a difference between Kester and MGchemicals? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: unluckygamer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 01:28:37 am
content: I am looking to buy a small pack of solder. I am looking for a 63/37 0.031" diameter solder. My two options right now is kester and mgchemicals with MGChemicals being a bit cheaper.I am wondering if their is any big difference.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 05:01:38 am
content: Assuming you pick solders with similar specifications, I expect you'll get similar results. Both companies have a good reputation for quality.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 05:40:59 am
content: Just make sure whatever you get is the real deal and not counterfeit product from China, I wouldn't worry about the brand, the result should be almost identical.

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 12:50:06 pm
content: Quote from: unluckygamer link=topic=121859.msg1665515#msg1665515Sure... One saysKesterand one saysMG Chemicalson the label.From a usability-for-soldering standpoint, no, not really. Both are good solder. So isMulticorebrand but I don't see it in the local retail stores as often lately.My last couple 1lb spools of Multicore that I use for general purpose are getting low so I will be needing to restock soon but the last time I had to replenish my stash, 1lb spools were still $9.99-14.99 (retail!)... It's going to be an eye-popping expense this time, even wholesale. With the prices these days, I really wish I had bought caseloads back then.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 04:28:15 pm
content: Yeah no kidding, I've just about used up the 1lb spool I bought ages ago, must have been over a decade. I haven't looked at prices lately but I know it's going to be a shock.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 04:36:23 pm
content: I used both and to me Kester is noticably better. I cant find Kester here beside on auction web sites so appears MG dominates in Canada. I would take Kester any time over MG, both wire solder and SMT paste. MG is not bad but Kester is the best.

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 04:43:03 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on July 12, 2018, 04:36:23 pmI think a lot of it comes down to personal preference and what you're used to.QuoteDigi-Key stocks MG, Kester and Multicore.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 04:55:29 pm
content: [quote author=drussell link=topic=121859.msg1666520#msg1666520 date= general purpose are getting low so I will be needing to restock soon but the last time I had to replenish my stash, 1lb spools were still $9.99-14.99 (retail!)... It's going to be an eye-popping expense this time, even wholesale. With the prices these days, I really wish I had bought caseloads back then.Keep checking Kijiji, you can get a big spool from electric supplies surpus sales, but even there if you calculate price per Lbs it is not much cheaper than retail.

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 07:17:01 pm
content: have kester, aim alloy, Mg chem., all of then 63equally all the same .... but kester somehow produce the most shiny surface.and flux ... some I saw acid based, some no clean, some rosin, some organic thingi

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 09:25:51 pm
content: The flux is probably the biggest difference from brand to brand, I would think that by now metallurgy is advanced enough that it is not difficult to get a reasonably pure and consistent mix of tin and lead.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2018, 11:33:07 pm
content: For other chemicals like fluxes, thinners, and cleaners, the big difference I have found between Kester and MG Chemicals is that Kester is not available in small quantities anymore. I used to be able to buy 4 ounce bottles of Kester products but not anymore.As far as the solder, make sure to wipe down the outside to remove contamination and oxides as you use it.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2018, 01:09:53 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on July 12, 2018, 11:33:07 pmHmm I've never done that, I'll have to give it a try and see if it results in nicer joints.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2018, 02:10:00 am
content: Quote from: james_s on July 13, 2018, 01:09:53 amIt is usually not that big a deal but there is a reason they recommend using fresh solder for production. Using fully activated rosin flux helps with old solder also.