Previous in Forum: Computer Troubles   Next in Forum: Receiving TV From Very Distant City
Close

Comments Format:






Change Mode
Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







Add Vote
5 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
phillip
Associate

Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 49

Soldering Manually

04/14/2011 10:34 PM

Hi I want to manually assemble an electronic appliance I have much soldering to do.What solder should I really use? low thin -lead ratio. or high tin-lead ratio. Is there any that I can use also that will be best?
Register to Reply
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".
Anonymous Hero
Guru
Popular Science - Evolution - New Member Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member

Join Date: May 2006
Location: The 'Space Coast', USA
Posts: 11119
Good Answers: 918
#1

Re: Soldering manually

04/14/2011 11:02 PM

I use Kester SN63 (63% tin, 37% lead).

Or, just go to Radio Shack.

DO NOT USE ACID CORE FLUX.

It must be Rosen core.
Register to Reply
jack of all trades
Guru
New Zealand - Member - Kiwi Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member Engineering Fields - Power Engineering - New Member Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 8777
Good Answers: 376
#2

Re: Soldering manually

04/14/2011 11:02 PM

There are really only two types you would want to use for this application.

One is standard 60/40 (60% tin, 40% lead) or 63/37 solder suitable for electronics, the other is lead free electrical solder (generally a tin, copper and silver). Which one you use (ie- can buy locally) will depend on where you are as solder containing lead is not legally available in some places.

__________________
 jack of all trades
Register to Reply
4
Tobugrynbak
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Deepest Darkest Rutherford Oz
Posts: 951
Good Answers: 145
#3

Re: Soldering manually

04/14/2011 11:15 PM

It all depends on what it is, where it will be used, and if your going to export it.

These days its getting more difficult to get hold of lead/tin solder due to the requirement for ROHS compliance at every level, hobbyists included.

Old hands like my self have been quietly stock piling "real" solder for our own use in our projects for some time now.

Lead-free solder is the preferred solder these days. Unless your device is for medical/aerospace or mining, which have ROHS exemptions.

The thickness of the solder only enters into it depending on what your soldering. Thin solder is used on circuit boards for soldering components. Thick solder is used when soldering wire(cables) to terminations.

Electronic solder is usually 60%Tin/40%Lead, when soldering on circuit boards a temperature of around 290/320 degrees Celsius is the norm. When using lead free solder the soldering iron will need to be much hotter in the 340/360 degree range. Now that is also dependant on the tip size and shape.

Small conical shape tips are good for circuit boards where as large wedge shaped tips are better for soldering cables and ground planes.

The best solder to use is the leaded one, but don't tell the greenies that your using it because they'll probably set up a protest camp on your lawn...

__________________
 There are two reasons for a man to do a thing, One that sounds good, and the real one...
Register to Reply Good Answer (Score 4)
No more Good Answers.
msbettyhunt
Commentator

Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 83
#5
In reply to #3

Re: Soldering manually

08/21/2020 8:07 AM

"The best solder to use is the leaded one, but don't tell the greenies that your using it because they'll probably set up a protest camp on your lawn..."
Exactly, they don't even try to check the best output... but always ready for the protests...
Register to Reply
WJMFIRE
Guru

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: USA, Florida
Posts: 1595
Good Answers: 125
#4

Re: Soldering Manually

04/18/2011 12:42 PM

The other posts adequately answer your question. I would add however, if any part of the soldered surface(s) in your "appliance" will touch either food or liquid meant for consumption, do not use any lead based solder.

__________________
 An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off the goal.
Register to Reply
Register to Reply
Have a Different Question?
5 comments

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Hero (1); jack of all trades (1); msbettyhunt (1); Tobugrynbak (1); WJMFIRE (1)

Previous in Forum: Computer Troubles   Next in Forum: Receiving TV From Very Distant City

Advertisement

Got Something to Say?
Ask a Question
Start a Discussion

Search this Forum
Communications & Electronics:
Go

CR4 Sections
Aerospace
BioMech & BioMed
Chemical & Material Science
Civil Engineering
Communications & Electronics
Education and Engineering Careers
Electrical Engineering
General Discussion
Instrumentation
Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
New Technologies & Research
Software & Programming
Sustainable Engineering
Transportation

Site Directories
Forum Directory
Blog Directory
User Group Directory
RSS Feeds

CR4 Rules of Conduct
CR4 FAQ
Site Glossary

Who's Online (49 right now)
Show Members
Advertisement