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Solder?

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Spence Wilhelm

Solder?

Just wondering about solder quality... Getting ready to build my K2 and
want to make sure I have the right solder for the job. The elecraft site
lists several brands/types. This week I stopped into Circuit Specialists
in Mesa AZ and bought some solder. When I asked if they had any Kester
solder they sold me this stuff.

---- description----
RH60 Solder 1lb Spool, .031'' Diam, 60/40 (Sn%/Pb%) (RH60-1)
Here is quality solder manufactured to the highest standards at a tremendous
price. Circuit Specialists is a direct importer of this product and our
large purchasing power enables us to offer this product at great savings.
Manufactured with pure tin from Malaysia, and lead ingots from Australia.
This solder has obtained prestigious Japanese Industry Standard (JIS)
certification. It surpasses all levels defined in JIS and MIL standards for
solderability, non-corrosiveness and conductivity. Melting points are
362°-365°F for the 63/37 and 365°-383°F for the 60/40.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6259

--------------

Anybody have opinions/experience with the solder from Circuit Specialists?
Would it be a good choice for the K2? It appears to solder well and is
quite clean. Some of the older kester that I have seems to have a lot more
flux than this stuff. Thoughts?

73,

Spence W7CSW

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Don Brown-4

Re: Solder?

Hi

I have no experience with that brand of solder. However if it seems to make
good shiny joints with a good filet then it should be OK. I would rather use
63/37 .025 or .020 for pc-board work. The 60/40 has the potential for a cold
solder joint if the lead moves while the solder is cooling from a liquid to
a solid. The 63/37 does not do this. I find the .031 too large and the
tendency is to apply too much to the joint. With the .025 or .020 you can
control the amount applied easier.

I have used Kester and Multicore. Kester is available from Mouser and
Multicore is part of Locktite now but I think they have a minimum order
requirement. Mouser does not have a minimum order. You may be able to get
Kester from DigiKey also.

A lot of the difference in solders is the flux not the solder itself. Kester
offers many different flux cores. For kit building Kester 44 or 285 with a
flux content of 3.3% is the correct solder. For experienced builders Kester
245 no-clean can be used but should be avoided by beginners. This solder
comes in 1.1% and 2.2% flux content. This flux is clear in color and with
the low content it does not show up on the boards so can be left on the
board or is easier to clean if you prefer to clean the boards. However it
requires more skill because of the low flux content.

Don Brown
KD5NDB

----- Original Message -----
From: "Spence Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 9:11 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Solder?

> Just wondering about solder quality... Getting ready to build my K2 and
> want to make sure I have the right solder for the job. The elecraft site
> lists several brands/types. This week I stopped into Circuit Specialists
> in Mesa AZ and bought some solder. When I asked if they had any Kester
> solder they sold me this stuff.
>
> ---- description----
> RH60 Solder 1lb Spool, .031'' Diam, 60/40 (Sn%/Pb%) (RH60-1)
> Here is quality solder manufactured to the highest standards at a
> tremendous
> price. Circuit Specialists is a direct importer of this product and our
> large purchasing power enables us to offer this product at great savings.
> Manufactured with pure tin from Malaysia, and lead ingots from Australia.
> This solder has obtained prestigious Japanese Industry Standard (JIS)
> certification. It surpasses all levels defined in JIS and MIL standards
> for
> solderability, non-corrosiveness and conductivity. Melting points are
> 362°-365°F for the 63/37 and 365°-383°F for the 60/40.
>
> http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6259
>
> --------------
>
> Anybody have opinions/experience with the solder from Circuit Specialists?
> Would it be a good choice for the K2? It appears to solder well and is
> quite clean. Some of the older kester that I have seems to have a lot
> more
> flux than this stuff. Thoughts?
>
> 73,
>
> Spence W7CSW
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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Alexandra Carter

Re: Solder?

In reply to this post by Spence Wilhelm

I've dealt with Circuit Specialists and that sounds like something
they'd do.

Go over to Fry's and get some Kester #44.

73 de Alex NS6Y.

On Mar 4, 2006, at 7:11 AM, Spence Wilhelm wrote:

> Just wondering about solder quality... Getting ready to build my K2
> and want to make sure I have the right solder for the job. The
> elecraft site lists several brands/types. This week I stopped into
> Circuit Specialists in Mesa AZ and bought some solder. When I asked
> if they had any Kester solder they sold me this stuff.
>
> ---- description----
> RH60 Solder 1lb Spool, .031'' Diam, 60/40 (Sn%/Pb%) (RH60-1)
> Here is quality solder manufactured to the highest standards at a
> tremendous price. Circuit Specialists is a direct importer of this
> product and our large purchasing power enables us to offer this
> product at great savings. Manufactured with pure tin from Malaysia,
> and lead ingots from Australia. This solder has obtained prestigious
> Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) certification. It surpasses all
> levels defined in JIS and MIL standards for solderability,
> non-corrosiveness and conductivity. Melting points are 362°-365°F for
> the 63/37 and 365°-383°F for the 60/40.
>
> http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6259
>
> --------------
>
> Anybody have opinions/experience with the solder from Circuit
> Specialists? Would it be a good choice for the K2? It appears to
> solder well and is quite clean. Some of the older kester that I have
> seems to have a lot more flux than this stuff. Thoughts?
>
> 73,
>
> Spence W7CSW
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

Stuart Rohre

Re: Solder?

In reply to this post by Spence Wilhelm

Solder is a very subjective thing.

The thing to do with any solder unfamiliar to you is use it on some cables,
components, connectors and evaluate the quality of joints it makes with your
soldering tools, skill, etc. You can see if it takes more or less heat than
old solder you are familiar with. You can see if it makes shiny, well
wetted joints. You can see if it has left over flux residue in excess to a
other clean solders.

Make sure the formulation is suited to the heat range tip you have on your
soldering iron. Trying it out on real world components and cable is the
best way to find out if it flows well, and makes a good joint.

Check the joints you make after a month for any signs of corrosion as a
further test.

Stuart
K5KVH

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Spence Wilhelm

Re: Solder?

In reply to this post by Spence Wilhelm

Thanks Stuart,

After using the solder from Circuit Specialists for awhile on some test
parts, I decided to trash it and just ordered some Kester 285. I'm
confident I won't be disappointed. Thank you to all on the list for giving
me good advice on this issue.

73,

Spence W7CSW

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Stuart Rohre" <[hidden email]>
To: "Spence Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>, <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solder?
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2006 20:25:49 -0600

Solder is a very subjective thing.

The thing to do with any solder unfamiliar to you is use it on some cables,
components, connectors and evaluate the quality of joints it makes with your
soldering tools, skill, etc. You can see if it takes more or less heat than
old solder you are familiar with. You can see if it makes shiny, well
wetted joints. You can see if it has left over flux residue in excess to a
other clean solders.

Make sure the formulation is suited to the heat range tip you have on your
soldering iron. Trying it out on real world components and cable is the
best way to find out if it flows well, and makes a good joint.

Check the joints you make after a month for any signs of corrosion as a
further test.

Stuart
K5KVH

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Post to: [hidden email]
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Tom Hammond-3

Re: Solder?

Spence:

I've been using Kester 285 for several years now and have had
extremely satisfying results from it. As good as Multicore.

73,

Tom Hammond N0SS

At 10:11 PM 3/6/2006, Spence Wilhelm wrote:

>Thanks Stuart,
>
>After using the solder from Circuit Specialists for awhile on some
>test parts, I decided to trash it and just ordered some Kester
>285. I'm confident I won't be disappointed. Thank you to all on
>the list for giving me good advice on this issue.
>
>73,
>
>Spence W7CSW
>
>----Original Message Follows----
>From: "Stuart Rohre" <[hidden email]>
>To: "Spence Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>, <[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solder?
>Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2006 20:25:49 -0600
>
>Solder is a very subjective thing.
>
>The thing to do with any solder unfamiliar to you is use it on some cables,
>components, connectors and evaluate the quality of joints it makes with your
>soldering tools, skill, etc. You can see if it takes more or less heat than
>old solder you are familiar with. You can see if it makes shiny, well
>wetted joints. You can see if it has left over flux residue in excess to a
>other clean solders.
>
>Make sure the formulation is suited to the heat range tip you have on your
>soldering iron. Trying it out on real world components and cable is the
>best way to find out if it flows well, and makes a good joint.
>
>Check the joints you make after a month for any signs of corrosion as a
>further test.
>
>Stuart
>K5KVH
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com