I having been using Oatey solder paste when soldering large diameter wires. I know it's designed for copper pipes.
Is there something better?
Thanks, Andy
I having been using Oatey solder paste when soldering large diameter wires. I know it's designed for copper pipes.
Is there something better?
Thanks, Andy
I use MG Chemicals #835, which is an RA (rosin, activated) flux. Works great--somewhat more aggressive than ordinary RMA (rosin, mildly activated), but noncorrosive (unlike plumbing flux).
You can also get flux pens, which are pretty convenient.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
-- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant
Thanks.
Andy
Ughh, OK I did that when I was starting out, and promptly was 'talked to' by an older tech. The problem with the acid pipe solder is you have to get it all off, with water or something, (just like when you do copper pipe plumbing.) otherwise it corrodes over time and your pcb/circuit turns into this ugly green thing.
As Phil said get some rosin core solder/flux. You can also buy rosin flux in a little jar. (snuff box size.) I use that for tinning bigger wires.
George H.
Ok, that makes sense.
I only used it on large gauge wires and never on circuit boards.
Andy
** Bet you use a flame torch too.
.... Phil
Soldering iron.
Fluxite brand paste is less aggressive than plumber's flux, but its grease based and cant be washed off with water.
Its a popular product, and corrosion isn't a huge problem.
thanks.
Is there a type or brand that is water soluble?
There was a water based liquid flux, all I can remember is the can was red and beige.
Its more aggressive, but that might not matter when you can wash it off.
AFAIK: all PCB fluxes have to be water soluble since ozone layer legislation banned the cleaning solvents - might be worth seeking out which one is strong enough.
Umm, no. Leaded processes with rosin flux and solvent clean are readily available, at least over here. I use them exclusively.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
-- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant
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I use Alcohol to remove the flux. Usually 91 % is the most you can find locally, but I usually order some 99% to do the cleaning with.
Most often for the SMD and PC work I try touse some of the no clean flux, but clean it with Alcohol anyway.
Drugstore rubbing alcohol is a disaster for high-Z circuits. When (rarely) I need to clean off flux, I use the same solvent I use for cleaning optics, namely HPLC grade methanol. It's expensive, but a two-litre bottle lasts me a long time.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
-- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant
I use acetone and a cotton swab for small stuff. For a big board 91% IPA and then rinse with detergent and hot water. (but I don't really like that.)
George H.
The common drug store rubbing alcohol is bad. That is why I specified the 91 % and 99 %. Those are just alcohol and water, none of the 'rubbing' addativies. I would think it would be water and then alcohol to remove the water from places that are hard to dry out.
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