What solder do you use?

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Bruce Weldy
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What solder do you use?

#1 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Several months back, I ran out of the solder I've been using for years. I bought a new spool and it's really been a PITA to work with. Doesn't flow well and it really grunges up my tip. I constantly tin the tip and wipe it, but it leaves bumps on the tip.

I wish I still had what I was using before....I thought this stuff would be close enough, but it ain't! Seems like it needs a whole lot more heat to melt too......

What is everyone using?

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: What solder do you use?

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

I bet what you got is lead free. You can get still get lead alloy solder, though it's expensive, like $25-$30 a pound. The good thing is a pound will last years, if not decades. I manage doing plumbing with lead free, which is a must there, but only with liquid acid flux and a lot of heat.

Bruce Weldy
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Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: What solder do you use?

#3 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:35 am I bet what you got is lead free. You can get still get lead alloy solder, though it's expensive, like $25-$30 a pound. The good thing is a pound will last years, if not decades. I manage doing plumbing with lead free, which is a must there, but only with liquid acid flux and a lot of heat.
I looked it up and it said is was 60/40. I wonder if the rosin isn't right? I paid about $25 for a pound spool from PE.

A friend of mine wondered if it was lead free also..... he uses Kester. May have to spring for another pound and throw this stuff away.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Seth
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Re: What solder do you use?

#4 Post by Seth »

This is the last stuff I've purchased and it seems to work as well as any other I've used. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076QG9N13

If the stuff you got isn't working well, I'd at least notify PE about the issue even if it may/may not be appropriate to request a return/refund at this point.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

himhimself
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Re: What solder do you use?

#5 Post by himhimself »

Seth wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:29 pm If the stuff you got isn't working well, I'd at least notify PE about the issue even if it may/may not be appropriate to request a return/refund at this point.
+1 PE is so good with customer service, I'm certain they'd find a way to help you out.
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

Bruce Weldy
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Re: What solder do you use?

#6 Post by Bruce Weldy »

himhimself wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:12 pm
Seth wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:29 pm If the stuff you got isn't working well, I'd at least notify PE about the issue even if it may/may not be appropriate to request a return/refund at this point.
+1 PE is so good with customer service, I'm certain they'd find a way to help you out.
Not worth the trouble over $25. And I've used it.

I ordered some Kester - it'll get here tomorrow and then I'll find out if it is indeed the solder that's the problem, because I am going to do some additions to a rack I built for a venue a while back.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

himhimself
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Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: What solder do you use?

#7 Post by himhimself »

Just took a look in my tool box and I have a couple different sizes, all 60/40 Kester.
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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Seth
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Re: What solder do you use?

#8 Post by Seth »

Bruce Weldy wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 7:18 am Not worth the trouble over $25. And I've used it.
I was thinking more out of letting them know it's an inferior product, just so they're aware. Even an honest product review would potentially save the next guy some head scratching.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: What solder do you use?

#9 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Seth wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 3:03 pm
Bruce Weldy wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 7:18 am Not worth the trouble over $25. And I've used it.
I was thinking more out of letting them know it's an inferior product, just so they're aware. Even an honest product review would potentially save the next guy some head scratching.
Agreed.....but, I need to wait until I try something else to make sure it isn't something else in my setup.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

NukePooch
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Location: Berea, Kentucky

Re: What solder do you use?

#10 Post by NukePooch »

Also Kester '44' 60/40 here. Started using it years back, haven't used anything else since.
Built:
4 Jack 112L- 3012HO, melded array
17.5 wide AutoTuba with Infinity 860w
6 Wedgehorn W6 w/ Panel Mount Piezos
2 T48 Slims (15" wide) with 3012LF
4 T48 Fattys (32" wide) with 3015LF

Bruce Weldy
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Re: What solder do you use?

#11 Post by Bruce Weldy »

NukePooch wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 5:32 pm Also Kester '44' 60/40 here. Started using it years back, haven't used anything else since.
I just got a spool of it in yesterday. Waiting on a bunch of connectors to arrive on Thursday, then I'll take it out for a spin.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Radian
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Re: What solder do you use?

#12 Post by Radian »

NukePooch wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 5:32 pm Also Kester '44' 60/40 here. Started using it years back, haven't used anything else since.
+2 here. Good stuff!
Good food, good people, good times.

4 - AT
1 - TT
1 - THT Slim
2 - SLA Pro 4x6 Alphalite

Bruce Weldy
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Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: What solder do you use?

#13 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Just want to report back. I've used the Kester for a couple of short soldering sessions and it is definitely better. Wish I had gotten the thinner stuff. This is a little to thick for my liking, but I'll get used to it.

The soldering iron tip is staying cleaner than with the other stuff and it flows much better.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Seth
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Re: What solder do you use?

#14 Post by Seth »

For reference, what size did you get that is thicker than you prefer. I never quite know what size to get myself. I have a few of those pencil size dispensers of the thin stuff for small delicate stuff, but prefer a little thicker for speaker wire size stuff. The last solder project I had was putting ring terminals on 1-0 AWG welding cable... the stuff I got for that project was waaaay too thin for the job. Seems like I had to use a couple feet of the stuff for each terminal.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

jimbo7
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Location: St. Louis

Re: What solder do you use?

#15 Post by jimbo7 »

Seth wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:16 pm For reference, what size did you get that is thicker than you prefer. I never quite know what size to get myself. I have a few of those pencil size dispensers of the thin stuff for small delicate stuff, but prefer a little thicker for speaker wire size stuff. The last solder project I had was putting ring terminals on 1-0 AWG welding cable... the stuff I got for that project was waaaay too thin for the job. Seems like I had to use a couple feet of the stuff for each terminal.
I've seen car audio guys fill terminals with solder then dunk the wire in. Even with the big thicker copper brazing-like sized solder.

The largest I've soldered with the pencil dispeners is 8ga strand wire. I just upped the heat and let it absorb till it couldn't take any more.
BFM builds:
XF212
T24 BP102 24"
2x SLA's 6-5" mids, 9- gt-302's
2x AT 14" MCM 55-2421
TrT 5" MCM 55-2421
AT 18" JBL GTO804
2x OT12 flat array
2x SLA Pro 2-Alpha 6's 2-Goldwoods
2x T39 24" 3012lf
Simplex 10 BP102

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