What Solder and Iron you using ? ARGON/ANTEX C15W

[bilabonic]

Hi All

Fitted many chips over the years and just use some old solder i found hanging around in work. Some shiny some dull and varying gauge. I have recently started fitting D2C ARGON and getting peaks, dull looking solder.

I have an Antex C15w pencil iron and 0.5mm tip.

Anyone recommend a decent solder ? Would silver content be compatible or would my iron/tip not melt it fully ??

I am in the UK

Thanks

[thecheekymonkey]

peaks and dull solder are caused by lack of flux (or not enough).

your soldering iron is fine, ive used one of those same ones for the past 12 years (well 2 actually, one broke lol) , same tip (0.5 mm i find the best, thin, but not too thin so it doesnt carry the heat across)

i would invest in 2 things :-

decent 1 or 1.5 mm rosin core solder , cost of about £5 for 100m or something stupid like that.


and some flux , i prefer to use flux paste but you can get the flux pens etc etc.


try `powerflow` flux (availible from all hardware shops), its actually meant more for plumbing than soldering , but as long as you clean up afterwards with some meths or the like you will be fine. all flux is weakly corrosive as thats how it works.


this will put an end to peaks and dull solder, and make the solder magically attach itself to every contact (so be a bit careful)


how much you use is upto you, but just remember to clean it up afterwards (mop excess with cotton buds, then wipe over with some meths, then dry it off).


check the guide in my sig buddy theres a bit of run through in there.



hope this helps.

[bilabonic]

Cheers for advice.

Got 2 flux pens a rosin one and no clean one from maplins and find them useless. Had some Powerlux lead free in my garage from my plumbing jobs and find it MUCH better, was weary of using because of the corrosive element.

Have you got a link for decent solder, will maplins have it ? What about the silver content stuff also see alloy 60/40 . Lead free or with lead ? 60% tin ??

Just want easy stuff to work with.

Cheers

[thecheekymonkey]

never hurts to use the best you buy but at the end of the day for the objective we are trying to achieve this will do.


http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=2819&doy=17m2

all flux is mildly corrosive , it needs to be to clean , you should always clean up afterwards anyway no matter what flux as good habit.

like i say i use powerflow myself, for the past 12 years, it gets the solder to adhere much much quicker than any of the crappy flux pens, and it doesnt become dry and sticky when its had a bit of heat on it. always mop it up after and clean with alchohol (meths will do) or any pcb cleaning solvent.


:D


happy days

p.s. dont be afraid to add more flux if it becomes a bit peaky again or dry :D

[Funkwheat]

On that subject... Does anyone know of a good place online that I can buy that iron and tip in the US? I've been using the 15W RadioShack garbage. ;P

[bilabonic]

Loads on Ebay Uk mate. Just ask if they will take from box and post, no weight at all.

[Funkwheat]

Just found one on Ebay in the US that appears ok. If I buy from the UK I think it will be the wrong power.