What solder do you use for electronics?

[rodsnratfinks]

What type, size, and brand of solder do prefer when working on electronics and what kinds of projects you use it on?

 

[Steinmetz]

A eutectic tin-lead solder.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

A eutectic tin-lead solder.

I've been using 60/40 for a while, but I'm thinking of switching to 63/37. What do you primarily work on with it? What thickness do you prefer to use? Brand?

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[royesses]

eutectic tin-lead 63/37 or silver bearing. I like .030 and .0625 sizes for electronics. Eutectic solder has a limited plastic range so is less sensitive to movement while cooling.
Just my opinion of course.

 

[hogdaddy]

I use this on my stereo equipment.
http://www.cardas.com/solder.php

 

[Hondarancher4435]

I don't know what brand is is but Walmart sells it in a yellow package by the automotive wire it's always worked great for me soldered 1000's of wiring connections with it

 

[kblee27]

Can't get away from inhaling lead..

 

[theoldwizard1]

Can't get away from inhaling lead..

For many years, electronic manufacturing facilities have pool of molten 60/40 in "wave soldering" machine. I'm sure they had ventilation, but that is all outlawed.

Like the billion and billions of copper water pipe joined with time-lead solder.

And how many tire guy got lead poisoning from handling lead balancing weights.

I hate "nanny" regulations.

Like grounding a load center (breaker panel). For years it was the closest cold water pipe. Then a continuous un-insulted copper wire connected to both sides of the meter. Now you need 2 ground rods just because the equipment to measure if one is good enough is too expensive/hard to calibrate.

So since 1950, how many people have been killed because they grounded their load center to a cold water pipe ?

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Can't get away from inhaling lead..

Lead does not vaporize when soldering. The smoke is rosin.

 

[guy48065]

Lead does not vaporize when soldering. The smoke is rosin.

100%? Back when I soldered for a living OSHA would periodically select a few of us to wear a sampling pump to collect the air near ones face. We were told it was to test for daily lead exposure from soldering.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

 

[exmaxima1]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

+1
I solder nearly daily, and it's my favorite solder. Great flux!

 

[Jawn]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

I'll look for that next time I'm buying.

Right now I have a small spool of RatShack 60/40 .032 I'm working off of.

As to what I use it for, Arduino, model railroad stuff, and random other electronic projects.

 

[RRmech]

Either Kester #245 or #44 63/37.

Since I retired from the RR, building and selling guitar and hi fi tube amplifies, supplements my income from SS and my RR pension.

Steve

 

[Maui]

Safe soldering practices spelled out:

http://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/ih/pdf/safeSolderingFinal.pdf

Maui

 

[XSSIVE]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

Same here. I build guitars, FX pedals and do some amp modifications along with using it for any other electronics or automotive (stereos mostly) wiring and it works great for everything I ever needed it for.

 

[anndel]

Kester "44", 60/40, 0.031 inch

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Either Kester #245 or #44 63/37.

Since I retired from the RR, building and selling guitar and hi fi tube amplifies, supplements my income from SS and my RR pension.

Steve

Same here. I build guitars, FX pedals and do some amp modifications along with using it for any other electronics or automotive (stereos mostly) wiring and it works great for everything I ever needed it for.

You guys use .0031" or something larger? I work on a lot of stuff like guitar amps. I was trying to decide if I should get something thicker, like .0050" or .0062". I'm using .0031" right now.

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[anndel]

I use 0.031 on a lot of PC board component building/repairs and SMD's as well. I also use them soldering coax cable connectors to RG8 and RG8x sized cables for my ham radio equipment and they work fine. Been using this size since the 1980's when I used to work in SoCal at Hughes Aircraft.

Try different sizes and see what you're comfortable with.

 

[zakmartin]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

That's what I use. A big spool of it rolls off my solder station. Just pull out the amount you need, hit it with a hot soldering iron to separate it from the spool and tin the tip and solder away. I've never had a problem with that product.

 

[skruft]

Various but most often Kester 44 of a few different diameters, 60/40

 

[nanofrog]

Can't get away from inhaling lead..

Soldering stations max out at 450C/842F, and the boiling point for lead is 1749C/3180F.

So no, not even close to inhaling lead vapor.

You do get miniscule amounts on your fingers/hands from handling it, but that's solved by washing your hands before sticking your fingers in your mouth or up your nose.

As already mentioned, the smoke is from the flux (rosin, no-clean, or water soluble). You don't want to breath it in if you can help it, particularly long term. But an open window and a fan solves the issue quite handily for occasional solder jobs.

For many years, electronic manufacturing facilities have pool of molten 60/40 in "wave soldering" machine. I'm sure they had ventilation, but that is all outlawed.

FWIW, it's not outright outlawed. There are exceptions for high reliability systems, such as military/defense, aerospace, and medical devices for example.

For consumer goods however, you're spot on. Manufacturers go with lead-free alloys so they can sell it in any location around the globe (might be a rare exception that don't have such regulations, but they'd certainly be a small minority).

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

Another vote for Kester 44.

You guys use .0031" or something larger? I work on a lot of stuff like guitar amps. I was trying to decide if I should get something thicker, like .0050" or .0062". I'm using .0031" right now.

The smaller diameters allow you better control of how much solder is added to the joint.

For thru-hole, 0.031" will give you a lot of control, but you do have to feed more of it for a given joint vs. a larger diameter solder wire. It's also excellent for larger SMD packages, and certainly drag soldering the latest IC components.

You can certainly go with a larger wire diameter if you wish, but without specifics, it's hard to make a proper recommendation. Photos of your boards & parts would help with this (i.e. see the hole diameter and pad size, as larger components would be best soldered with a larger wire diameter; 5W resistor leads vs. 1/4W for example).

In my case, I've multiple diameters (0.010", 0.022", 0.025", 0.031", 0.062") used for both SMD & PTH work. Most is 63/37, but I also have 62/36/2 silver (both of these are eutectic), 0.062" in 60/40 for tinning wire, and SAC307.

Most of the time I'm using Kester 44 in 0.031", core 66 (3.3% flux by weight).

 

[rodsnratfinks]

For thru-hole, 0.031" will give you a lot of control, but you do have to feed more of it for a given joint vs. a larger diameter solder wire. It's also excellent for larger SMD packages, and certainly drag soldering the latest IC components.

You can certainly go with a larger wire diameter if you wish, but without specifics, it's hard to make a proper recommendation. Photos of your boards & parts would help with this (i.e. see the hole diameter and pad size, as larger components would be best soldered with a larger wire diameter; 5W resistor leads vs. 1/4W for example).

In my case, I've multiple diameters (0.010", 0.022", 0.025", 0.031", 0.062") used for both SMD & PTH work. Most is 63/37, but I also have 62/36/2 silver (both of these are eutectic), 0.062" in 60/40 for tinning wire, and SAC307.

Most of the time I'm using Kester 44 in 0.031", core 66 (3.3% flux by weight).

Thanks for the informative response. I mostly work on vintage electronics such as stereo equipment, synthesizers, amplifiers, and radios. A lot of point to point through hole wiring from 24 to 12AWG. Occasionally, I do repair and rework on control modules for autos. I do a little bit of SMD as well.

Right now, I'm working on a project with a lot of this:

And this:

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I use some 0.032 60/40 from Radio Shack. Mostly for general circuit board repairs and old vacuum tube stuff. Works fine for what I do. With RS fading away, I'll probably get some eutectic solder next time, but I don't really expect it to be much better. I also have some liquid and paste rosin flux available.

Got some silver bearing solder, too. Don't use it much. Needed it when I was fixing up a Tektronix signal generator.

 

[pedrodagr8]

Without a doubt Kester 44 63/37 Eutectic. Recently, I tried soldering with some other labeled 63/37 solder I had laying around after I discovered I was out of my Kester 44. It did not go well. I ended up redoing the part I had soldered, this time using Kester 44.



On the left, Kester 44 63/37 0.031" on the right no-name 63/37.

 

[XSSIVE]

You guys use .0031" or something larger? I work on a lot of stuff like guitar amps. I was trying to decide if I should get something thicker, like .0050" or .0062". I'm using .0031" right now.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I use .031" for everything I do which is mostly guitars with some guitar pedals and amps too and the occasional car stereo or something like that. I never had a problem with the thinner gauge for all of that stuff, I just adjust my feed speed if I need more or less. That said it can never hurt to have multiple sizes if you want to spend the money.

 

[RRmech]

For me at least, the smaller diameter solder is easier to handle.

Steve

 

[nanofrog]

Thanks for the informative response. I mostly work on vintage electronics such as stereo equipment, synthesizers, amplifiers, and radios. A lot of point to point through hole wiring from 24 to 12AWG. Occasionally, I do repair and rework on control modules for autos. I do a little bit of SMD as well.

...[snip photos]...

Based on the photo, you'd probably do well with 0.040" or 0.050". But with SMD, you'd probably want something smaller. Solder wire also happens to get less expensive as the wire diameter increases, as they don't have to draw it so many times to reach the desired diameter.

If you're only wanting to keep a single diameter on-hand, one trick is to wind a couple of wraps around your fingers, then twist them up for larger stuff. Otherwise, you'd be best served by getting a couple of different sizes (say 0.040, and depending on the package sizes, say 0.020", 0.025", or 0.031" for SMD). There's also 0.010" and 0.015", but unless you're working with 0102 or 0201, you likely won't have a need for these.

 

[kblee27]

For many years, electronic manufacturing facilities have pool of molten 60/40 in "wave soldering" machine. I'm sure they had ventilation, but that is all outlawed.

Like the billion and billions of copper water pipe joined with time-lead solder.

And how many tire guy got lead poisoning from handling lead balancing weights.

I hate "nanny" regulations.

Like grounding a load center (breaker panel). For years it was the closest cold water pipe. Then a continuous un-insulted copper wire connected to both sides of the meter. Now you need 2 ground rods just because the equipment to measure if one is good enough is too expensive/hard to calibrate.

So since 1950, how many people have been killed because they grounded their load center to a cold water pipe ?

I worked near a wave soldering machine many years ago; for a couple of years. I didn't really pay attention to the extraction of fumes then.

Most workers would have ventilation and extraction fan sitting at a bench whole-day long soldering.

I just though it might something to do with lead.

In any case, it's just a precaution to avoid when possible.

 

[cheechi]

Without a doubt Kester 44 63/37 Eutectic.

When I need to get some more lead solder this is what I will get. Thanks.

I like silver bearing. To me smaller diameters are easier to work with. It just so happens it's easy to find silver bearing .022 and .031 whenever I run out. I have some 60/40 .062 I think but it rarely gets used. I found what I like and went with it.

This is not to contradict anyone here just my experience. I used to repair broken surface mount and through hole components on boards daily or weekly at least. Broken laptop power jacks, usb ports, etc. Even succeeded on a few cell phone power jacks although that was a few years back. Doubt I could do it with the current 6 pin usb's they use now. I've also done a fair bit of soldering repairing musical instruments. Not so much the electronics but horns usually. I have done some electronics also; For example a few weeks back I got some push pull pots to coil tap new HB's in my and my brother's Les Pauls.

These things were 26ga or 28ga 4 wire pups and the lugs on the switch were just big enough for the pup lead and a 22ga ground wire to touch, though too small for both to be wrapped in the lug. I would have had a harder time using anything as big as .050 on these guys. Someone else who wires guitars all day probably would have a different perspective on it but I did what works for me. The way the push pull pots work grounding to the pot cover there isn't much pot cover to grab so the smaller solder worked well there all things considered.

I am far from an expert but with you asking this I hope this experience can be useful to you.

 

[guy48065]

I worked near a wave soldering machine many years ago; for a couple of years. I didn't really pay attention to the extraction of fumes then.

Most workers would have ventilation and extraction fan sitting at a bench whole-day long soldering.

I just though it might something to do with lead.

In any case, it's just a precaution to avoid when possible.

According to a couple earlier posts that expensive fume extraction hood was only for keeping the flies out of the solder pot

From OSHA:

"Lead is used in the soldering process in the form of lead/silver filler metals. When heated, lead oxide fumes are formed. Excessive exposure to lead oxide fumes can result in lead poisoning. Symptoms include loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, abdominal cramps, nervousness, and insomnia. Lead is absorbed through the mucous membranes of the lung, stomach, or intestines and then enters the bloodstream".

 

[jeffmoss26]

Kester is definitely the best. I don't solder much anymore but I have a few different sizes, some Kester and some from RS. Mostly for fixing audio cables, very little circuit board work.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Without a doubt Kester 44 63/37 Eutectic. Recently, I tried soldering with some other labeled 63/37 solder I had laying around after I discovered I was out of my Kester 44. It did not go well. I ended up redoing the part I had soldered, this time using Kester 44.



On the left, Kester 44 63/37 0.031" on the right no-name 63/37.

Nothing's worse than no-name solder. I threw all of mine away, it was just total garbage.

I had some decent stuff at home but no Kester. When I set up a little soldering station at work for my department, I did some research and chose the Kester 44. Stuff was a revelation. I couldn't buy it for home fast enough.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

More hand wringing... You know what ***** about being obsessive? I bought a pound of .031" solder. Then freaked out because I thought it was too thin. Then I bought a pound of .062" (because I couldn't find .050"). I thought about getting .040" instead, but felt that I would regret that choice since they're so similar. Tonight I tried using some of the .031" stuff just for practice... Well, now I'm thinking that I might actually find .040", or even .031" to be ideal for me. However, the brand and model number that I have convinced myself will fulfill my wildest soldering dreams is not the brand I bought the .031" in, but it was $20, so I'd feel like a schmuck if I did anything other than keep it. But what if the .062" is too thick and I have a hard time getting consistent results? What if the Indium brand is inferior to the Kester brand? What if neither .031" nor .062" is ideal? Maybe I will own these rolls for decades and never know the sweet bliss that Kester .040" #44 63/37 rosin core solder could have afforded me had I only bought a pound of it when the time was right?
...

As I typed this, it's hard not to feel like a complete fool. I mean, we're talking about a difference of .009" - .022", depending on how you look at it.

 

[kelpaso1]

Kester 44. Buy a pound roll of the 0.031" 63/37 rosin core. Part number 24-6337-0027.

That's the stuff I use for tv's stereo's etc.

 

[pedrodagr8]

More hand wringing... You know what ***** about being obsessive? I bought a pound of .031" solder. Then freaked out because I thought it was too thin. Then I bought a pound of .062" (because I couldn't find .050"). I thought about getting .040" instead, but felt that I would regret that choice since they're so similar. Tonight I tried using some of the .031" stuff just for practice... Well, now I'm thinking that I might actually find .040", or even .031" to be ideal for me. However, the brand and model number that I have convinced myself will fulfill my wildest soldering dreams is not the brand I bought the .031" in, but it was $20, so I'd feel like a schmuck if I did anything other than keep it. But what if the .062" is too thick and I have a hard time getting consistent results? What if the Indium brand is inferior to the Kester brand? What if neither .031" nor .062" is ideal? Maybe I will own these rolls for decades and never know the sweet bliss that Kester .040" #44 63/37 rosin core solder could have afforded me had I only bought a pound of it when the time was right?
...

As I typed this, it's hard not to feel like a complete fool. I mean, we're talking about a difference of .009" - .022", depending on how you look at it.

Honestly, you are over-thinking it. You are not in a professional setting where the particular diameter can save a seconds on your soldering time and those seconds are worth money. Relax and enjoy what you have, if you find you don't like something about it, or want to try something else, THEN switch. In the meantime focus on just soldering and your technique. We won't even mention the various fluxes that are available

 

[ttpete]

I have a lot of Ersin multicore in .022 and .062 from work and also Kester 44, enough to last me for a long time. I use the .062 for heavier jobs like automotive wiring.

 

[espyking83]

The more lead the better

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Honestly, you are over-thinking it. You are not in a professional setting where the particular diameter can save a seconds on your soldering time and those seconds are worth money. Relax and enjoy what you have, if you find you don't like something about it, or want to try something else, THEN switch. In the meantime focus on just soldering and your technique. We won't even mention the various fluxes that are available

I don't know. It's driving me a little crazy. I just discovered that my local electronics supply has a bunch of Kester 44 sitting on the shelf that is the same price as it is on Amazon, so now I can't get the thought out of my head that I should return the .062" and get .050" or even .040". When I looked at the .062"in the store, it was a lot thicker than I remember.

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[cheechi]

If you're used to anything smaller than .062 is huge. At least it seems that way. Good to have around but I don't do anything big enough to use it with any kind of regularity.