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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:55:17

Title: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:55:17: It seems that Kester is the industry gold standard, however it's available in 1 lb. spools for $40 bucks or so, and that's more than I'll ever use. I have a few rolls of some Chinese stuff that did the job, but probably is not premium. I prefer the .3mm and used .5mm when the thinner gauge ran out. Does anybody have any recommendations for a better brand of solder? I use a flux pen so I don't know if the rosin core is important, but supposedly it helps a little. I can't tell which are the better brands just from the product details. The application is for through-hole pcb components of course.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:59:55: Quote from: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:55:17
It seems that Kester is the industry gold standard, however it's available in 1 lb. spools for $40 bucks or so, and that's more than I'll ever use. I have a few rolls of some Chinese stuff that did the job, but probably is not premium. I prefer the .3mm and used .5mm when the thinner gauge ran out. Does anybody have any recommendations for a better brand of solder? I use a flux pen so I don't know if the rosin core is important, but supposedly it helps a little. I can't tell which are the better brands just from the product details. The application is for through-hole pcb components of course.

I only use Kester, but the core flux can get annoying when it spatters little dots all over my work. .2 dia

Interested to hear what other options people are using.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: chyros on Fri, 13 May 2016, 18:11:25: Draper. A cheap brand, but it works.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Parak on Fri, 13 May 2016, 18:17:04: Indium.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: romevi on Fri, 13 May 2016, 18:28:16: Kester
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: smknjoe on Fri, 13 May 2016, 18:59:56: MG Chemicals and Multi-Core are good brands too. Multi-Core used to be very popular.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: ika on Fri, 13 May 2016, 19:14:08: Quote from: Moistgun on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:59:55
Quote from: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 13 May 2016, 16:55:17
It seems that Kester is the industry gold standard, however it's available in 1 lb. spools for $40 bucks or so, and that's more than I'll ever use. I have a few rolls of some Chinese stuff that did the job, but probably is not premium. I prefer the .3mm and used .5mm when the thinner gauge ran out. Does anybody have any recommendations for a better brand of solder? I use a flux pen so I don't know if the rosin core is important, but supposedly it helps a little. I can't tell which are the better brands just from the product details. The application is for through-hole pcb components of course.

I only use Kester, but the core flux can get annoying when it spatters little dots all over my work. .2 dia

Interested to hear what other options people are using.

You can get flux-less solder and simply use your own liquid flux, applied with a dropper or syringe. A little more difficult to do since you basically need more hands and setup to hold the part in place etc but low viscosity liquid flux is much easier to work with.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Keycap on Fri, 13 May 2016, 20:29:04: I almost always use Kester, .050 diameter.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 13 May 2016, 22:50:13: I have a flux pen and it seems to work fell enough. It's liquid so it flows where you need it. I have these "made in China" brands and I wonder if getting what's considered a premium brand will make any difference at all in how the solder melts or flows. I would like to get this Kester brand, but at about $40 for a 1lb spool I'm not sure there is any value there for me.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 13 May 2016, 23:31:26: harbor freights solder works ok.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 14 May 2016, 04:22:43: Any thing that is 63/37 will work just as well..

There's no mystery to solder.. at this point hahaha, everyone has mastered it pretty well..

Lead free, is the problem..
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sun, 15 May 2016, 14:22:17: It also does not help that many of these are mismarked. For example 0.5 mm/ 0.15" It *seems* that most of the ratings in mm are correct so I guess that's what have to go by when purchasing.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: need on Sun, 15 May 2016, 14:39:14: creamsolder
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Mon, 16 May 2016, 11:32:57: So essentially if I use my own flux I can buy the cheap stuff for $4 a roll? I mean it seemed to work well enough as it is supposed to, but I have not used say Kestesr or MG Chemicals, so I have nothing to compare it to.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 16 May 2016, 11:45:14: I can send you a little kester and mg chem if you want to try them out.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: rand77 on Mon, 16 May 2016, 12:28:10: Leaded: Kester SN62 / PB36 / AG02, No clean flux

Lead Free: Kester 275 (SAC305 no clean)

The leaded one is just great. MGchemicals is OK too.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Wed, 18 May 2016, 01:26:05: Quote from: SpAmRaY on Mon, 16 May 2016, 11:45:14
I can send you a little kester and mg chem if you want to try them out.

Spamray, this is very kind of you, but no need to go through the trouble. I'm not ready for my project anyway. I'll make a decision in a day or so on Amazon. Whatever I choose will work fine I'm sure. The $5 dollar solder gets the job done, but is it worth the extra 25 dollars for the name brand? I'm not a rich man, but I don't mind spending money that is well spent.

If you are using a this solder such as .3 to .4mm, it melts and flows fairly easy and getting an expensive solder is less important. Is there any truth to that? Look, if those of you using MG Chemicals or Kester feel it is to your advantage vs the cheap $4 Chinese "Koocu" that I cannot even pronounce then I will gladly fork up the extra scratch. I've through some trial and error and a bit of heartache acquired some skill working with solder, but I will take any advantage I can get.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Sat, 04 June 2016, 21:49:05: Kester Eutectic solder just flat spoils you for using anything else.

It's like Butta...
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 05 June 2016, 03:28:19: Quote from: les_garten on Sat, 04 June 2016, 21:49:05
Kester Eutectic solder just flat spoils you for using anything else.

It's like Butta...

It's actually way smoother than butta
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: bazh on Sun, 05 June 2016, 04:08:27: Quote from: rand77 on Mon, 16 May 2016, 12:28:10
Leaded: Kester SN62 / PB36 / AG02, No clean flux

Lead Free: Kester 275 (SAC305 no clean)

The leaded one is just great. MGchemicals is OK too.
Yay the Kester 62-36-2 is awesome
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Sun, 05 June 2016, 04:15:26: Quote from: bazh on Sun, 05 June 2016, 04:08:27

Yay the Kester 62-36-2 is awesome

Silver containing solder for keyboards? So esoteric.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: SBJ on Sun, 05 June 2016, 07:55:36: Quote from: rand77 on Mon, 16 May 2016, 12:28:10
Leaded: Kester SN62 / PB36 / AG02, No clean flux

Lead Free: Kester 275 (SAC305 no clean)

The leaded one is just great. MGchemicals is OK too.
Thanks for the lead free suggestion, I'll be trying to get my hands on that.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 12:33:36: Quote from: StickyBlueJuice on Sun, 05 June 2016, 07:55:36
Quote from: rand77 on Mon, 16 May 2016, 12:28:10
Leaded: Kester SN62 / PB36 / AG02, No clean flux

Lead Free: Kester 275 (SAC305 no clean)

The leaded one is just great. MGchemicals is OK too.
Thanks for the lead free suggestion, I'll be trying to get my hands on that.

no no no no no

lead free is the devil... it just makes everything bad.. damn those environmentalists, none of them even went to college.. they just like hanging out and smoking weed in a swamp hole with the 1 duck they (stole) saved from some farmer..
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: brighenne on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:38:40: I'm a big fan of Cardas Quad Eutectic.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:36:24: Quote from: brighenne on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:38:40
I'm a big fan of Cardas Quad Eutectic.

Indeed, killer stuff along with Kester Eutectic

RE-- Lead Free? Who would do that if they didn't have a gun to their head?

Even if there was a gun to my head, I think I would takes my chances and go for the gun...

I respect people who can work well with it though...
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 June 2016, 17:42:11: Quote from: les_garten on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:36:24
Quote from: brighenne on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:38:40
I'm a big fan of Cardas Quad Eutectic.

Indeed, killer stuff along with Kester Eutectic

RE-- Lead Free? Who would do that if they didn't have a gun to their head?

Even if there was a gun to my head, I think I would takes my chances and go for the gun...

I respect people who can work well with it though...

No one works welllll with lead free..

you can get-by... but you'll never get that hot shine and smooth flow
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 06 June 2016, 20:35:25: Quote from: les_garten on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:36:24
Quote from: brighenne on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:38:40
I'm a big fan of Cardas Quad Eutectic.

Indeed, killer stuff along with Kester Eutectic

RE-- Lead Free? Who would do that if they didn't have a gun to their head?

Anyone who needs to maintain RoHS compliance is required to use lead free. The lead free movement also affects hunting and fishing. As far as I know lead shot for hunting birds is all but banned and lead sinkers for fishing are also getting banned in more places.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Mon, 06 June 2016, 21:21:47: Quote from: Melvang on Mon, 06 June 2016, 20:35:25
Quote from: les_garten on Mon, 06 June 2016, 15:36:24
Quote from: brighenne on Mon, 06 June 2016, 13:38:40
I'm a big fan of Cardas Quad Eutectic.

Indeed, killer stuff along with Kester Eutectic

RE-- Lead Free? Who would do that if they didn't have a gun to their head?

Anyone who needs to maintain RoHS compliance is required to use lead free. The lead free movement also affects hunting and fishing. As far as I know lead shot for hunting birds is all but banned and lead sinkers for fishing are also getting banned in more places.

Like I said, got a gun to their head...

I should have enough Cardas and Kester Eutectic to get me through the remainder of my life.

I do need to look for some lead sinkers apparently. Thanx for that tip.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Jin on Tue, 07 June 2016, 23:07:49: senju rma98 eco solder :thumb:
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: appleonama on Tue, 07 June 2016, 23:29:00: Quote from: Jin on Tue, 07 June 2016, 23:07:49
senju rma98 eco solder :thumb:

no wonder you destroy your pcbs
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Data on Wed, 08 June 2016, 07:47:27: Kester

I LIKE LEAD. :confused:
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 08:16:28: You made me want to try out Kester now.
I'm currently using the first leaded solder I found at the store: Stannol S-Sn60Pb39Cu1. Never felt the need to change anything other than when I needed to restock.
My dad once brought me some lead free solder saying that the other one is bad for my health and causes cancer. Let me tell you something... if anything causes cancer then it is working with that unleaded stuff I got, I don't know if it was just a bad batch or something but this stuff is such a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: QuincyJones on Wed, 08 June 2016, 10:41:50: I can't decide: either the Russians:
(http://d2oah9q9xdinv5.cloudfront.net/images/groups/1/6/5425/JSnsB2Ml.jpg)

or, Israeli's
(http://kremesti.com/krasiva/photos/Israel/Female_Israeli_Soldiers/ThreecuteIsraeliArmygirls.jpg)
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 08 June 2016, 11:14:39: Quote from: QuincyJones on Wed, 08 June 2016, 10:41:50
I can't decide: either the Russians:
Show Image
(http://d2oah9q9xdinv5.cloudfront.net/images/groups/1/6/5425/JSnsB2Ml.jpg)

or, Israeli's
Show Image
(http://kremesti.com/krasiva/photos/Israel/Female_Israeli_Soldiers/ThreecuteIsraeliArmygirls.jpg)

Tp4 Approves of This post.. (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/pretty-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862516)
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 12:29:56: Quote from: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 08:16:28
You made me want to try out Kester now.
I'm currently using the first leaded solder I found at the store: Stannol S-Sn60Pb39Cu1. Never felt the need to change anything other than when I needed to restock.
My dad once brought me some lead free solder saying that the other one is bad for my health and causes cancer. Let me tell you something... if anything causes cancer then it is working with that unleaded stuff I got, I don't know if it was just a bad batch or something but this stuff is such a pain in the ass.

You need too be concentrating on the word Eutectic. You may want to google and check out the meaning.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: DreaMagine on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:28:19: Kester all the way. Out of everything I've used it is the best quality out there.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:34:19: Quote from: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 12:29:56
You need too be concentrating on the word Eutectic. You may want to google and check out the meaning.

Gotcha, but it seems like I can't get solder in Eutectic mixtures that easily (well there is Sn62Pb36Ag2, but they ask 350€/kg for it and only offer 0,35mm thickness), how much better does that stuff work exactly? I don't really get why I can basically get every non-Eutectic ratio but Eutectic stuff seems to be a unicorn.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:45:52: Quote from: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:34:19
Quote from: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 12:29:56
You need too be concentrating on the word Eutectic. You may want to google and check out the meaning.

Gotcha, but it seems like I can't get solder in Eutectic mixtures that easily (well there is Sn62Pb36Ag2, but they ask 350€/kg for it and only offer 0,35mm thickness), how much better does that stuff work exactly? I don't really get why I can basically get every non-Eutectic ratio but Eutectic stuff seems to be a unicorn.

No comparison to how it works.

1) it melts and flows at a lower temp than any other mixture, this is really nice for the things you are working on. Less heat for a shorter period of time

2) The liquid-solid transition point is like a knife edge. This stuff melts, you take the heat off and you can see it go almost immediately solid and shiny. Much, much less chance of your work moving and causing a bad solder joint.

Find some in the US and I'll work with you to get it.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 14:00:33: Quote from: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:45:52
Find some in the US and I'll work with you to get it.
Thank you for the offer, but I'll be in the US (to be precise on a 2 week roadtrip through california) in a few weeks anyways, so the name of a store that shoud carry it would already help me out enough.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Data on Wed, 08 June 2016, 14:45:41: I'm on the other side of the country from California, but they don't seem to sell the good stuff in stores down here. You could order it online and have it delivered to one of the stops on your trip. I'm using Kester 24-6337-0061 and I got it from Amazon. Mouser and Digikey both stock the full line of Kester products.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: Parak on Wed, 08 June 2016, 14:46:33: Quote from: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:34:19
Gotcha, but it seems like I can't get solder in Eutectic mixtures that easily (well there is Sn62Pb36Ag2, but they ask 350€/kg for it and only offer 0,35mm thickness), how much better does that stuff work exactly? I don't really get why I can basically get every non-Eutectic ratio but Eutectic stuff seems to be a unicorn.

63/37 (Sn63) is eutectic and should be significantly easier to afford and find. For hobbyist purposes, there's really not much point in using Sn62 - it may just give a very slightly brighter appearance, though not in my own experience of looking at it with the naked eye.
Title: Re: favorite brand of solder?
Post by: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 15:28:20: Quote from: kawasaki161 on Wed, 08 June 2016, 14:00:33
Quote from: les_garten on Wed, 08 June 2016, 13:45:52
Find some in the US and I'll work with you to get it.
Thank you for the offer, but I'll be in the US (to be precise on a 2 week roadtrip through california) in a few weeks anyways, so the name of a store that shoud carry it would already help me out enough.

You won't find that on a shelf anywhere.

If you're "certain" when you might be someplace order and see if they'll ship it to your hotel and have them hold it.

Getting through x-ray at the airport, who knows.

Back in the day, it is amazing what I could carry through security in my carry-ons when I was flying somewhere to work on a server. I aways flew with a knife and had only one issue in 2000 because it was an International flighty and they had the Pilot hold it for me and give it to me when I got off the plane.

It didn't bother them that it was a knife, they said it was "aggressive" because it had a 2" Spyderco blade with serrations. The serrations really bothered British Air.

At the price differential, you may want to get both of these solders with and without Silver.

I usually use silver when I want something to set up very strong, like up to 4% Ag. But it gets much harder to desolder if you have to rework it later.