Page 1 of 2
What solder do you use?
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:27 am
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?
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:35 am
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:41 am
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:29 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:12 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 7:18 am
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:48 am
by himhimself
Just took a look in my tool box and I have a couple different sizes, all 60/40 Kester.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 3:03 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:10 am
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 5:32 pm
by NukePooch
Also Kester '44' 60/40 here. Started using it years back, haven't used anything else since.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:19 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:21 pm
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!
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 4:09 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:16 pm
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.
Re: What solder do you use?
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:18 pm
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.