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What solder and from where


Yelrow

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Don't touch 'lead-free' solder, it is a pain in the derrierre to use, needs a hotter iron, and doesn't 'flow' readily.

You can buy tin/lead multicore solder just about anywhere, in assorted length reels, and several different diameters.

Loads of choices here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=electronics+solder&_sacat=0

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I only use Flux cored 60/40 for general soldering John. As stated avoid lead-free which is terrible to use.

 

I also have a tube of silver loaded flux paste used for soldering SMD components but that is very expensive and a bit specialised and has to be kept in the fridge until required on the bench.

 

I still have some ‘Multicore’ solder left from when Rome was being built. A pity you don’t have a village hardware shop the likes of which can still be found in UK, as they will have plenty on a dusty shelf somewhere.

 

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/welding-brazing-and-soldering/solders/multicore-60-40-solder-wire-reel-500gm/f/6145?query=multicore%20solder

 

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/welding-brazing-and-soldering/solders/multicore-60-40-solder-wire-reel-500gm/f/6145

 

 

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60/40 is best, don't go near the lead free solder.  Lead free solder is fine, but is a pain in the backside to do rework on and you need a very hot soldering iron, a trick was to use old lead solder to lower the melting point of lead free solder so you could rework it.  Lead free also doesn't flow that well.

I use solder paste and 60/40.

 

 
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I also use 60/40 Tin/Lead, very thin solder.  Mine is labelled as 22 SWG showing how long I have had it.  In today's terms it is 0.71mm, multicore. This size is ideal for fine soldering work (and anything else for that matter.

I bought it from Radio Spares (Now known as RS) in a 0.5Kg sized reel. 

It just seems to go on for ever!

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As I have said before I got mine from EBay it was less than £10.00 for a large reel of Ersin 60/40 solder. Often on EBay if you are lucky, there are people that sell stock from firms that have gone bankrupt, so it was substantually cheaper than buying it retail. Sad to say but given the current economic position there is going to be more available as more firms go bankrupt.

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 I think it is important to make sure any item description specifically says lead tin solder since there is a risk that you might get the lead free stuff. I would also add that (if my memory is correct) 60/40 has the lowest melting point of all the lead tin solders and other ratios are available if you need a higher melting point, for example when soldering etched brass kits.

 

For electrical work though I would say 60/40 with a core of flux is easier to use than the solid variety. I also have a query about fluxes but I will post that on a different theread.

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