What solder?

StratStringSlinger · Post by **StratStringSlinger** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:23 pm

Hi guys, two part question up for discussion here.

1) What brand/type solder do you use and why?

2) Does anyone know what Mr. Dumble used?

Post by **xtian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:28 pm

Kester eutetic SN63PB37 1mm.

http://www.kester.com/products/product/ ... ored-Wire/

ToneMerc · Post by **ToneMerc** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:38 pm

I use Cardas Quad Eutectic

TM

George61 · Post by **George61** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:55 pm

ToneMerc wrote:I use Cardas Quad Eutectic

TM

Me too. Love the stuff. I also have a container of Cardas Rosin Flux Soldering Paste.

Solder on,
George

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:17 pm

I use whatever I can take from work. The performance to price ratio is infinite.

StratStringSlinger · Post by **StratStringSlinger** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:30 pm

Bonus question/out of curiosity. Besides actual performance of how it flows/holds things together. Do any of you feel the type of solder has an effect on sound?

10thTx · Post by **10thTx** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:21 pm

Do any of you feel the type of solder has an effect on sound?

No, I don't. I don't think it has anymore effect on sound then the soldering iron does.

With respect, 10thtx

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:52 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_%28metallurgy%29

67plexi · Post by **67plexi** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:49 am

Smitty, that's a fact our aerospace products we are required to use pure gold not .99%
but pure and at least 34 electro plates on the circuit boards. If it's not pure it won't flow properly or even . I have used AG wire and coax in some of my amp builds and can't tell any sound difference.
Copper wire and Kester rosin core solder is fine for guitar amps. Look at a early untouched Marshall amp red lacquer on the finished inspected solder joints. May well be used to help prevent metal wishkering.

I use whatever I can take from work. The performance to price ratio is infinite.

Time to change your name to Vibrato-Theif

George61 · Post by **George61** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:14 am

A good technical paper on why tin and gold don't play together well.

There used to be a good paper on the Cardas website about eutectic (63/37) solder but it's gone. 60/40 solder is not eutectic.

I personally feel there is no reason to use gold plated anything in a classic amp build. There's a good post about whiskers in this thread.

Activated rosin flux seems to work best. Kester "44" solder has been the industry standard for electronics for the last 40+ years and since it is still available in the USA, I feel it's a good choice for classic amp builds. .031 diameter seems to be a one size fits all. At three times the price, Cardas Quad Eutectic solder adds silver and copper to the alloy, which may or may not make a difference. I seriously doubt that it does.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kes ... dpuw%3d%3d

Solder on,
George

AtomCap · Post by **AtomCap** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:16 pm

For building/servicing tube amps with turret boards, eyelets, ptp etc- one can't go wrong with Kester 60/40 or 63/37- .031" dia-

For pcb reworks I've been using kester no clean or organic water soluble flux core - only because you don't have to commit time to mopping up puddles of flux. On most newer style pcb's flux puddles aren't as much of an issue, but on raw material like in vintage pedals etc, the rosin flux eats the pcb. Generally speaking it can take a half hour to clean up a pcb nicely. the no clean is tricky to work with as is the organic core, iron needs to be really stable and not drift/loose temps while feeding solder- once thats figured out your golden

The Cardas, its nice- But I suspect it may be re-branded WBT Solder as they're both similar in smell, flux color, feel, flow, Really think George C concocted a solder recipe?? Or did they just find some company to re-brand solder for them??

Wonder solder, I suspect to be re-branded radio shack solder.
But radio shack sells re-branded lower end kester.

Aside Kester- Neither of the above mentioned brands have ever produced evidence of actually 1, manufacturing their own solder, 2 disclosing a custom recipe made by ____.

With all the excess regulation today in the USA and the insane import/export laws its safe to say the amount of companies making solder or anything with high lead content, is minimal

ToneMerc · Post by **ToneMerc** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:37 pm

AtomCap wrote:The Cardas, its nice- But I suspect it may be re-branded WBT Solder as they're both similar in smell, flux color, feel, flow, Really think George C concocted a solder recipe?? Or did they just find some company to re-brand solder for them??

The Cardas Quad is definitely not WBT, the Cardas Tri E might be . I tried the WBT and can't stand the smell.

TM

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:24 am

67plexi wrote:Copper wire and Kester rosin core solder is fine for guitar amps. Look at a early untouched Marshall amp red lacquer on the finished inspected solder joints. May well be used to help prevent metal wishkering.

'zackly.

http://www.glyptal.com/Glyptal_Product_Data_Sheets.htm

David Root · Post by **David Root** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:02 am

+1 on the Cardas Quad Eutectic. Has got real pricey lately but at least it's not yet unobtainium.

sepulchre · Post by **sepulchre** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:42 am

Smitty wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_%28metallurgy%29

Is this a reason to goop like HAD?

The Amp Garage

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