What Type of Solder For...

[AnAverageJoe]

I need help!!!!! I'm going to start soldiering connections for a snake, and I would like to know what kind of soldier should I get or use. i.e. Rosin 40/60 or some thing like that








---------------- Listening to: Rihanna - Break It Off [Feat Sean Paul] via FoxyTunes

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

I need help!!!!! I'm going to start soldiering connections for a snake, and I would like to know what kind of soldier should I get or use. i.e. Rosin 40/60 or some thing like that

AverageJoe,

You mean SOLDER, (pronounced SAW-DER), not soldier, (which are the people who make up the armies that fight wars) right?

May I suggest Kester 44? It's an excellent solder.

Not much is better, many solders are a LOT worse!

Hope this helps.

[Remoteness]

I have used 63/37 solder since I started wiring my own stuff in the late 70s...

Multicore makes a 2% silver solder that's very good.

[JesseJ]

This has not much to do with what type of solder to use.. but I think some of you will still enjoy these links on great video tips how to solder:


Soldering Tips and Solder Techniques | Video Soldering Tips from BEST
MAKE: Blog: SMD soldering video
Soldering Videos_How to solder with American Beauty
VIDEO: Hand Soldering for Through-Hole Components with Training Certification
DT techniques: Soldering
Video: Induction Soldering

[Barnabas]

The most important thing to look for is "rosin" core. Do not use "acid" core solder, which is what plumbers use.

I use the standard 60/40 solder from Radio Shack.

Wash your hands well after soldering so you don't get lead poisoning.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Barnabas

The most important thing to look for is "rosin" core. Do not use "acid" core solder, which is what plumbers use.

I use the standard 60/40 solder from Radio Shack.

Wash your hands well after soldering so you don't get lead poisoning.

Damn, so you're not supposed to chew on that stuff????

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by Barnabas

Wash your hands well after soldering so you don't get lead poisoning.

Good point.
Also,
-get a small fan to pull the fumes away from you to an outside vent
-clean your tip often
-work at the proper temperature (I use 750 degrees for most work, 850 sometimes)
-don't eat while working
-drink a glass of milk (or ingest some dairy) after soldering, this helps your body pass the impurities and poisons thru your system instead of building up and causing cancer over time.

[tnjazz]

Great tips Jim, thanks!

Wish I'd followed more of them when I was soldering like a maniac over the past 4 weeks.

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

AverageJoe,

You mean SOLDER, (pronounced SAW-DER), not soldier, (which are the people who make up the armies that fight wars) right?

May I suggest Kester 44? It's an excellent solder.

Not much is better, many solders are a LOT worse!

Hope this helps.

Yea I noticed I did that after I posted the thread, lol sorry ...

Is Kester better than Rosin?

Where can I find Kester Solder?

Also, What are your thoughts on Rosin Solder?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

I have used 63/37 solder since I started wiring my own stuff in the late 70s...

Multicore makes a 2% silver solder that's very good.

I google searched, but I didn't really find any good link of the actual company website... BTW, Who do you order your solder from?

Have you ever used Kester Solder?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by JesseJ

This has not much to do with what type of solder to use.. but I think some of you will still enjoy these links on great video tips how to solder:


Soldering Tips and Solder Techniques | Video Soldering Tips from BEST
MAKE: Blog: SMD soldering video
Soldering Videos_How to solder with American Beauty
VIDEO: Hand Soldering for Through-Hole Components with Training Certification
DT techniques: Soldering
Video: Induction Soldering

Thanks, I appreciate it... I'll let you know if I have any questions after watch the video

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Barnabas

The most important thing to look for is "rosin" core. Do not use "acid" core solder, which is what plumbers use.

I use the standard 60/40 solder from Radio Shack.

Wash your hands well after soldering so you don't get lead poisoning.

Thanks, I was thinking about going with the Rosin 60/40, but I wasn't sure if I should do that.

when you say core, i.e. "Rosin Core". What does core mean?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Good point.
Also,
-get a small fan to pull the fumes away from you to an outside vent
-clean your tip often
-work at the proper temperature (I use 750 degrees for most work, 850 sometimes)
-don't eat while working
-drink a glass of milk (or ingest some dairy) after soldering, this helps your body pass the impurities and poisons thru your system instead of building up and causing cancer over time.

WOW Thanks a lot!!!!! you guys are scaring me now

You said get a small fan to pull the fumes away, Would it be wise to get a fan the pushes them away from me or pulling?

I also will be working in an enclose booth kind of like a sky box or something... What do you recommend for those types of environments?

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

Is Kester better than Rosin?

Where can I find Kester Solder?

Also, What are your thoughts on Rosin Solder?

My $0.02: I prefer Kester, the way it flows to either copper wire, be it #2 or 24gauge,
as well as to a circuit board.

I buy Kester 44 in various sizes (diameters) from Techni-Tool. it works best for me, and I'm always using different size wire every time I work, not the same gauge wire like some of my buddies. Techni-Tool also sells great soldering irons (make sure you get an iron with a temperature gauge to dial in the heat you want, and a selection of high temp tips for your work. I also can not stress how good the little gold-colored brillo-like soldering tip cleaner (I think the manufacturer is HAKKO) is much better than using a wet sponge to clean the tip, and keeps the temp correct!

By the way, be careful- it's easy to drop a grand on good soldering tools! Do get a good clamp, it will save you loads o' time.

To answe your question about pushing versus pulling, OSHA prefers PULLING away from you, sometimes I like pushing past me to keep me cool when it's hot. BOTH is best! You want to stay away from the fumes.

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

My $0.02: I prefer Kester, the way it flows to either copper wire, be it #2 or 24gauge,
as well as to a circuit board.

I buy Kester 44 in various sizes (diameters) from Techni-Tool. it works best for me, and I'm always using different size wire every time I work, not the same gauge wire like some of my buddies. Techni-Tool also sells great soldering irons (make sure you get an iron with a temperature gauge to dial in the heat you want, and a selection of high temp tips for your work. I also can not stress how good the little gold-colored brillo-like soldering tip cleaner (I think the manufacturer is HAKKO) is much better than using a wet sponge to clean the tip, and keeps the temp correct!

By the way, be careful- it's easy to drop a grand on good soldering tools! Do get a good clamp, it will save you loads o' time.

To answe your question about pushing versus pulling, OSHA prefers PULLING away from you, sometimes I like pushing past me to keep me cool when it's hot. BOTH is best! You want to stay away from the fumes.

Ok No Problem, Hey Thanks for the help... BTW the soldering iron I have is something from radio shack thats 40watts

Does Hakko make better products than Weller?

I did some research and I found in an article that it was best to use Soldering irons with selectable wattage settings i.e. like from 20-40watts

[Jim vanBergen]

Weller makes some very good products, but I'm a little bit of a snob...because I used to solder really, really badly and I work daily with about 60 guys who solder circuit boards, buss bars, and power supplies for a living....so I've been taught how to solder VERY WELL by the solder snobs.

Do what works for you, and good luck, my friend! Let us know how we can help!

Jim

[boojum]

If no one answered, "rosin core" means the rosin forms the core of the solder. It is there to act as a flux to insure a better solder joint. I have never taken any precautions when soldering, which may explain the strange growths on my head. No precautions, no growths, that was a joke. I figure if you do not get those heavy whiffs of rosin, you ain't soldering. YMMV

[jabney]

For the type of work you want to do, here's another vote for Kester 44 - if you are in the US. If you are in lead-free Europe, good luck.

Weller and Hakko both make good products.

Keep your tip tinned, and look up the word, "Eutectic" (i.e. 63/37 such as Kester 44). Your connections will thank you :-)

BTW, there is no brand of solder called 'Rosin Core' - though I used to use a brand called, "Ersin Multicore." But I haven't seen that in years. Not to worry, practically any solder that I know of that is sold for electronics is rosin core.

best,

john

[stevep]

Originally Posted by boojum

If no one answered, "rosin core" means the rosin forms the core of the solder. It is there to act as a flux to insure a better solder joint. I have never taken any precautions when soldering, which may explain the strange growths on my head. No precautions, no growths, that was a joke. I figure if you do not get those heavy whiffs of rosin, you ain't soldering. YMMV

Kester 60/40 .031 here

[corworld]

Kester 44 all the way. I use the big stuff (.050) for all my tube amps.

[stevep]

Yea, i go with the .031 for the circuit boards and connectors, im just used to it


.

[hendo]

Great thread! Lot's of good info about a topic most of us dread. (There’s nothing like staring at a full rack of unconnected, 96-point, TT patchbays to get your blood flowing – NOT!)

One of the best investments I ever made was a Weller EC2002 soldering station. I don't know if Weller still makes it, but that station has soldered hundreds of connectors, PCB components, miles of cable, etc.

Up to now, I’ve used and kept in stock all the sizes of the standard 60/40 rosin core Radio Shack solder. Based on this thread, I’m going to try Kester 44. Also, based on Jim’s advice, I’m going try upping my tip temps a little it.

For sure, a soldering station is one piece of equipment worth having. If not in the short-term, it’ll certainly pay for itself in time.

hendo

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Weller makes some very good products, but I'm a little bit of a snob...because I used to solder really, really badly and I work daily with about 60 guys who solder circuit boards, buss bars, and power supplies for a living....so I've been taught how to solder VERY WELL by the solder snobs.

Do what works for you, and good luck, my friend! Let us know how we can help!

Jim

Sorry I took so long to come back, I've been really busy... I don't solder much ,and last time I tried it was a total failure. So What would you recommend for practicing? Do you think the radio shack PCB are a good practice?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by boojum

If no one answered, "rosin core" means the rosin forms the core of the solder. It is there to act as a flux to insure a better solder joint. I have never taken any precautions when soldering, which may explain the strange growths on my head. No precautions, no growths, that was a joke. I figure if you do not get those heavy whiffs of rosin, you ain't soldering. YMMV

Thanks!!! Hey BTW, what is a flux? I've seen liquid flux while doing a google search

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by jabney

For the type of work you want to do, here's another vote for Kester 44 - if you are in the US. If you are in lead-free Europe, good luck.

Weller and Hakko both make good products.

Keep your tip tinned, and look up the word, "Eutectic" (i.e. 63/37 such as Kester 44). Your connections will thank you :-)

BTW, there is no brand of solder called 'Rosin Core' - though I used to use a brand called, "Ersin Multicore." But I haven't seen that in years. Not to worry, practically any solder that I know of that is sold for electronics is rosin core.

best,

john

Thanks, What I'll do is buy Both Kester 44 and Rosin Core 60/40 and see which one I like the best

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by stevep

Kester 60/40 .031 here

When you say Kester 60/40 .031, What does the 60/40 mean and also what does the .031 mean?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by hendo

Great thread! Lot's of good info about a topic most of us dread. (There’s nothing like staring at a full rack of unconnected, 96-point, TT patchbays to get your blood flowing – NOT!)

One of the best investments I ever made was a Weller EC2002 soldering station. I don't know if Weller still makes it, but that station has soldered hundreds of connectors, PCB components, miles of cable, etc.

Up to now, I’ve used and kept in stock all the sizes of the standard 60/40 rosin core Radio Shack solder. Based on this thread, I’m going to try Kester 44. Also, based on Jim’s advice, I’m going try upping my tip temps a little it.

For sure, a soldering station is one piece of equipment worth having. If not in the short-term, it’ll certainly pay for itself in time.

hendo

I think I might invest in a station to... I'm trying to look at some good weller stations also some Hakko... Check out the link, I'm looking at the one that costs 93 dollars.

Hakko 936 Soldering Station,821ST612

[Barnabas]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

Sorry I took so long to come back, I've been really busy... I don't solder much ,and last time I tried it was a total failure. So What would you recommend for practicing? Do you think the radio shack PCB are a good practice?

Get some wires and connectors and start practicing. Solder them up and then unsolder, and then try it again. Watch out for getting connectors too hot and melting plastic.

[Barnabas]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

Thanks, What I'll do is buy Both Kester 44 and Rosin Core 60/40 and see which one I like the best

That's like testing Macintoshes against Apples. One is a subset of the other.

Kester is a brand name.

44 is a model number.

Kester 44 solder has a rosin core.

Most Kester 44 solder is 60/40, which means 60% tin and 40% lead. Some is 63/37.

[Barnabas]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

When you say Kester 60/40 .031, What does the 60/40 mean and also what does the .031 mean?

.031 is the thickness.

0.031” (1.00 mm) is the standard thickness (diameter) solder that most people use.

Solder comes in sizes from the thinnest 0.010” (0.25 mm) to the thickest 0.25” (6.00 mm).


0.05 is thicker solder that we used to use in the old days when wires, terminals, and connectors were much larger. Some still use this size or something in between when the job requires it.