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tehhappyboy · 09-03-2004, 07:09 PM

Um, seems like we're missing soldering 101 here. 60/40 is shorthand for 63/37, unless you have REAL cheap solder that is actually 60% lead. Acid flux is only if you're washing the board later, otherwise rosin flux core is the best.

Uncle Happyboy's tips to SOLDERING

Remember why we need flux! Solder with no flux melts at two different temperatures! so we get lumpy solder joints.

Wipe your tips before you solder, and scrape oxidation also off of your joints and pads. Heat can't flow through the oxidized insulator.

NEVER blow on a joint to set it quicker,
NEVER melt solder onto a joint, INSTEAD heat the joint, apply the solder,
NEVER remelt solder, INSTEAD either add more solder to add flux or paint the flux on and heat the joint until the solder flows.
and the MOST important rule in soldering:

NEVER NEVER NEVER use solder as a physical joint! Take a piece of solder, break it, that's how strong it is. Lame huh? So hook your wires together or some other physical connection or your joint is doomed.

You can use 63%lead, 37%tin solder with rosin core flux, the most luxourious is multi core solder. Silver solder is for other applications like brazing.

Best of luck in those applications!

09-03-2004, 07:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
tehhappyboy Tilted	Um, seems like we're missing soldering 101 here. 60/40 is shorthand for 63/37, unless you have REAL cheap solder that is actually 60% lead. Acid flux is only if you're washing the board later, otherwise rosin flux core is the best. Uncle Happyboy's tips to SOLDERING Remember why we need flux! Solder with no flux melts at two different temperatures! so we get lumpy solder joints. Wipe your tips before you solder, and scrape oxidation also off of your joints and pads. Heat can't flow through the oxidized insulator. NEVER blow on a joint to set it quicker, NEVER melt solder onto a joint, INSTEAD heat the joint, apply the solder, NEVER remelt solder, INSTEAD either add more solder to add flux or paint the flux on and heat the joint until the solder flows. and the MOST important rule in soldering: NEVER NEVER NEVER use solder as a physical joint! Take a piece of solder, break it, that's how strong it is. Lame huh? So hook your wires together or some other physical connection or your joint is doomed. You can use 63%lead, 37%tin solder with rosin core flux, the most luxourious is multi core solder. Silver solder is for other applications like brazing. Best of luck in those applications! __________________ I'm a happy boy, happy boy, way to get when things are going your way. Hey Hey. ...Pretty sure I asked for Pecan Sandies...