Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Which solder?

C

creek

Jan 1, 1970
0
I tried Kester "245" No-clean solder but sometimes end up with the
conductive white residue problem from the moisture that is present in
our environment. I'll often poly-coat this to block the moisture and
it seems to work OK but I don't think this is suggested. Other times
we pot this in epoxy but I worry about moisure migration down the
wires, I dont want failures 2 years from now.

I tried Kester "331" Water-soluble solder but trying to solder a small
44pin microprocessor with it is tough. It doesn't seem to wet and
flow as well, the soldering tip dries out too fast. Plus the fumes
will gag you.

I have not tried regular Rosin core only because I don't know how to
reliably clean it.


What do you use?
 
R

Rich Webb

Jan 1, 1970
0
I tried Kester "245" No-clean solder but sometimes end up with the
conductive white residue problem from the moisture that is present in
our environment. I'll often poly-coat this to block the moisture and
it seems to work OK but I don't think this is suggested. Other times
we pot this in epoxy but I worry about moisure migration down the
wires, I dont want failures 2 years from now.

I tried Kester "331" Water-soluble solder but trying to solder a small
44pin microprocessor with it is tough. It doesn't seem to wet and
flow as well, the soldering tip dries out too fast. Plus the fumes
will gag you.

I have not tried regular Rosin core only because I don't know how to
reliably clean it.


What do you use?

Kester 63/37 with "44" resin core. Cleans nicely with isopropyl alcohol.
If you need to go RoHS, try Kester's SAC 305 with "48" resin.
 
C

creek

Jan 1, 1970
0
In what process ?

Graham

Through hole and SMT hand soldering, if that is what you mean.
The solder is 21 Gauge (.031"), cored 1.1% flux, used with an
adjustable Weller WES51 iron set to around "6".

Is this the process for using 99% Iso: Soak, brush/scrub, rinse with
iso, rinse with distilled.
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
In what process ?

Through hole and SMT hand soldering, if that is what you mean.
The solder is 21 Gauge (.031"), cored 1.1% flux, used with an
adjustable Weller WES51 iron set to around "6".

Is this the process for using 99% Iso: Soak, brush/scrub, rinse with
iso, rinse with distilled.[/QUOTE]

I've used just plain IPA - squirt it, brush as needed, rinse with IPA,
blow dry with clean, dry, oil-free air, done. :)

Cheers!
Rich
 
E

Eeyore

Jan 1, 1970
0
creek said:
Through hole and SMT hand soldering, if that is what you mean.
Yes.


The solder is 21 Gauge (.031"), cored 1.1% flux, used with an
adjustable Weller WES51 iron set to around "6".

If that's comparable to the venerable TCP, I use "8" almost always.

Is this the process for using 99% Iso: Soak, brush/scrub, rinse with
iso, rinse with distilled.

Soak in ? Soaking entire boards is not always advisable depending on
certain components.You should be able to just brush with iso and rinse.

Graham
 
Top