Where do ya buy solder from

[oatz]

Whats the best stuff? 40% tin 60% lead or the lead free stuff? and where can I find it cheap! I know you guys have the drop on all the goods

[mac0611]

Hi!

there is nowhere to buy lead solder cheap. The kind I use with excellent results is .031 63/37 kester "44" solder. It is pretty much about 25 bucks/roll (+/-) anywhere ya look. If you find it cheaper let me know. A couple of years ago this stuff was about 10 bucks a roll. I just bought about 10 rolls in case it either goes through the roof or extinct. good luck.

[billyz]

Rohs compliant solder is a royal pain to work with. It requires more heat and does not flow as well as Traditional lead formula solder. I have also encountered more faulty joints in circuits using lead free, it is very hard.

Believe it or not Radio Shack solder is pretty good. 63/37 solder is Eutectic
( look it up) . I like it better than 60/40. I believe Kesters is the industry standard, 63/37 1 lb is $24 from Amazon.

Personally I use Cardas Quad eutectic solder from Parts Connexion , 1 lb is $44. The best solder I have ever used. And get a good soldering station. like The Hakko or I use older Weller WES50 and 51 model stations.

[David Root]

+1 on 63/37 Eutectic.

Have not tried the Cardas one but have heard others recommend it. How is it better than the regular Kester? For the extra $20 it has some silver in it?

[billyz]

Cardas has copper and silver along with lead and tin, for the purpose of making a joint not just a connection. The flux is supposed to be better too.
Here is some Cardas Propaganda for you.

http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area= ... +Longevity

http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area= ... s.+Crimped

[Structo]

I have been using the Kester 63/37 .031" No Clean and I like it a lot.

I would like to try the Cardas Quadeutectic, that looks to be a fine solder.

[oatz]

Ya know I noticed the price hike aswell. I remember about 12 years ago, when I first got into building circuits, I could buy a roll for about 10 bucks...

This stuff is pricey..

[Structo]

Another case of environmentalists removing another product that has worked good for years and years.

Sure it isn't good to put lead into the ground water but can't these electronics be recycled or the lead melted down and collected?

I know at my garbage dump site they have special containers for electronics.

[Smitty]

Kester 44/.031 $20/lb

http://www.concorde-electronics.com/aca ... _0027.html

They have Soldapullt Desoldering Pumps to

http://www.concorde-electronics.com/aca ... DS017.html

[Structo]

Wow those are good prices.

This is what I use.
http://www.concorde-electronics.com/aca ... _8800.html

[Wayne]

I wondered if conventional solder was going to get either expensive or hard to find or both. I plan on ordering a pound or two the next time I order parts. Last time I checked, Digikey had no leaded solder, but Electrosonic still had a few varieties available.

Ultimately, we're probably all going to have to make peace with the new-fangled stuff. Has anybody had any luck with it? Anybody at all?

Perhaps in a separate thread some of the early adopters could re-teach us how to solder...

W

[David Root]

The Cardas stuff makes sense to me from a physical metallurgy point of view. I'm going to try it. I just wish it was available in .031 diameter!

And I do use the WES51. What are the advantages of the Hakko unit?

[Structo]

I tried reworking some joints on a little Crate amp.
It was obviously lead free solder.
When I heated it, it bubbled and got crusty.
I went ahead and touched it up with good old lead solder.

[oatz]

This thread just saved me 5 bucks. Thanks for the links guys, was about to order some of the same for 25 + shipping

[rawnster]

I just received lb. of Cardas Quad eutectic solder. Interesting stuff. I'm not sure about it yet. I'm using it on a new build, and doesn't seem to flow smoothly. That is, it's liquidity or melting characteristic doesn't want to fan out as freely as I expected. Yes, the joints are cleaned before soldering.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.