What Solder wire do you use?

[Charlie-III]

Ha! You got me beat by 2 years! Anyone else using an old spool of solder?

I'm not at home, but I have a spool that is still a METAL spool, may be from the late 70's or early 80's??
It won't go bad, just keep it in a dry location to reduce crud build-up.

I can guarantee you that Novak, Deans and Radio Shack all source out their solder purchase and for all we know it could be the same source and quality.

I do know that Kester is a producer and may even supply the others.

+1, there are not many producers. It just needs to be:
-small (I use ~1/16th")
-rosin core
-~60/40

I used to use silver content solder with NiCD/NiMH sub-C packs back in my carpet days. Every little bit helped, everything was soldered in, we didn't use no stinkin connectors.8):lmao::lmao:

 

[BusaRider]

I'm also a fan of the Radio Shack solder. My buddy used my station to do some soldering. He is couldn't believe how good the Radio Shack solder worked....

 

[Tin Soldier]

Just used up the last of some solder from my dad from the 70's.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[dont slow down]

If you can find some 63/37 or "eutectic" get that. It melts about 10 degrees lower, and a little nicer. 60/40 is fine though.

Don't use eutectic solder. That stuff is for specific applications. Also don't mix it with regular solder, you will end up tearing your hair out. Stay away from the lead free too, crap. 60/40 is the most versitile solder out there. I use the Radio Shack 60/40 PC work stuff mostly. The Deans solder was THE best stuff I've ever used, unfortunately it's discontinued.

One thing people don't do but should is clean their solder before use. Cut off a short length and lay it on the table, then take a pencil eraser and rub it over the length of solder. Roll the solder on the table or hold the end of it and twist it as you rub it with the eraser to get all the oxidation off. Your solder should be SHINY before you use it. Use denatured alcohol to clean your contacts or whatever you are soldering. Use flux! Even if it's rosin core, flux will make your life much easier. After the joint is done clean it again with alcohol to remove any leftover flux. This will ensure you get a good joint each time.

Remember the 3 rules of soldering:

1. Cleanliness
2. Cleanliness
3. Cleanliness

 

[greencrawler]

My dad has a can of solder flux that is older than me :shock:
putting the date somewhere in the mid 70's

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

I use a few different types of solder, depending on the needs.

60/40 is the easiest to use. 370f melt. Rat shack stuff works fine. 63/37 flows a bit easier but can be harder to find. I use Amerway or Kester because they make the diameters I like. Highly recommended amalgam for the beginner.

5/93/2 tin/lead/silver is great for higher melt point applications that need good flexibility. 598f melt. It works well on commutators and can be found easily.

96/4 tin/silver is best used where lead free is needed. 430f melt. I think this is what most ROHS solders are today. Not my favorite, but still needed.

I also have a custom mix that we use on commutators that flows better, melts higher, and conducts better than the 5/93/2. There are also a few aluminum solders I keep around, but you guys probably aren't interested.

 

[Bill8Bud]

My dad has a can of solder flux that is older than me :shock:
putting the date somewhere in the mid 70's

Wow I thought I had an old roll I just finshed mine up and it was dated 1987.

 

[ik632]

I have a roll of 60/40 that my Grandmother gave me back in 1993 as well. I'm not even sure what it is though because she got it from work when she was helping to build the boards for IBM's Big Blue. The only problem is it's really thin so I have to cut a section, twist it on itself and then I'm good for regular duty soldering. I had a few small tubes of Radio Shack 60/40 that was around 1/16 diameter and liked that. I have about a pound of the other stuff left though (huge industrial roll) so I figure my grand kids will probably get that some day "thumbsup"