soldering question

[Tdale]

Do you guys use solder with a resin/acid core, or just straight solder with no core?

I read somewhere that acid should not be used with electrical components.

[martin manning]

You need to use rosin core solder, as sold for electronic use. Most would agree that 60-40 Pb-Sn (or something close to that) is easier to work with than lead-free alloys. Acid core is used for plumbing.

[Phil_S]

I doubt anyone here will argue with Martin about 60/40 being easiest to use. It wets nicely and makes a good joint. It's getting harder to find because of the lead content.

I've been using 96% tin 4% silver with decent results. It takes some getting used to. It requires a bit more heat to wet. Once it is hard, you really don't want to undo it. I think this is why old timers don't like it. I find the trick is to be quick and not to over apply it. Technique counts for a lot in soldering.

[diagrammatiks]

don't use acid core for electronics.

62/36/2 tin/lead/silver is still available from radio shack.

get it while the gettings good.

[Structo]

If you don't want to spend the bucks on the silver solder the best to use IMHO is eutectic solder which is 63% tin/ 37 lead.

It has a lower melting point and also sets all at once minimizing cold joints.

[diagrammatiks]

If you don't want to spend the bucks on the silver solder the best to use IMHO is eutectic solder which is 63% tin/ 37 lead.

It has a lower melting point and also sets all at once minimizing cold joints.

same price at radioshack!

although the price of leaded solder seems to be going up all the time.

I've seen kester 44 as high as 40-50 a pound.

the silver is in there to prevent leeching of tinned leads and plate holes.