Build Your Own Clone Message Board

what are peoples favourite types of solder
I've tried lead free solder but it doesnt flow properly and melts at a higher temp. Is the tin and silver solder any better than just tin? its becoming harder to find tin-lead solder in the UK because the EU is trying to reduce the amount of lead and its looking like they might ban lead completely
and what type of flux is best?

kester rosin core 40/60 is what I use.
Never tried the silver stuff, maybe next time I'm at radio shack I'll pick some up.

I LOVE the stuff you get at radio shack called High tech siver bearing solder. Everytime I'm in, I pick up a couple of rolls so that I may never know what it's like to have to try and use lead free solder. That stuff is just gross.

_________________
"It's not that I'm a freak for lox but my love for you is so much more than orthodox."

SIlver .015 dia. Super smooth like butter on a hot August day. I know alot of you might think that as a small size, but it heats up and flows so fast . I could't be w/out.

Next build I will be using silver solder. Im expecting good things with it.
Now, I am using Kester No Clean. Excellent stuff.
Cog, you dont need flux.

Kester 5% Silver... melts like "butta"

_________________
I... have become... uncomfortably numb...

I mean flux cored solder

Always use rosin core solder for electronics. Acid core is for plumbing use.

_________________
"It’s your soldering."

63/37, .032". Been using a no-name spool for the last year or so, but got a bit paranoid about the possibility of RoHs (anti-lead) laws in the US and bought about 10 pounds of Kester 63/37, .031" during the spring. So I think I have enough solder to last me for awhile

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

HA! I did the same thing!

_________________
µ

Nice to know I wasn't the only one, because when its just me, I think,"Maybe I'm just weird.", but when there's someone else who does the same thing I don't feel like such a weirdo...

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

I used to use multicore ersin flux solder, but I could only get it in little dispenser tubes, and I've also forgot where I used to buy it from. so I've just got some other stuff to try

_________________
high on solder fumes

I use the silver bearing solder you get at RS, smallest diameter I can find. Melts quick and flows easy.

_________________
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important - C.S. Lewis

I'm surprised that I see so many people saying they use sliver bearing solder. I would have sworn that it was here that I saw it recommended that you NOT use silver solder for pedals.

There is some evidence that over time lead-free solder joints develop little whiskers that could potentially cause shorts in circuits. That is why the military is exempt from RoHs standards in countries where RoHs rules are in effect.

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

(figured id bump this thread instead of starting a new one..)

anyway, I just went to radio shack and bought a spool of silver solder to try out. I noticed on the back label that it still has the warning "This product contains lead which is known by the state of California to cause all sorts of terrible things.. etc etc"

I thought that the point of the silver solder was that it was lead -free-?
Did someone just slap the wrong sticker on it?

I've been searching around for leaded solder (built my rat with lead and don't fancy trying lead free) and I found some and bought some the other day - just waiting for it to arrive. its "250G REEL OF K60/40 TIN / LEAD SOLDER WIRE" - is this suitable? I hope so otherwise its a waste of £6.

Cheers.

60/40 tin/lead solder is pretty much the standard. Make sure it's rosin core and NOT acid core solder. Acid core solder is for plumbing applications.

_________________
"It’s your soldering."

Nope, the label is correct. It's probably 62/36/2% tin/lead/silver. A-OK stuff, I've used hundreds of spools of it over the years.

Silver bearing solder in and of itself does NOT imply lead-free.