A recall from AliExpress! whodathunkit?

[Chris Cables]

Whodathunkit indeed!

I never thought I'd receive this email from AliExpress. From those Chinese people who make buildings from tofu and cars from cardboard they would be so concerned for my health and wellbeing! lol

They're also *gasp* offering a refund on the last roll I bought. Why not the 7 rolls bought via previous orders though ffs?

Apparently the lovely Kaina 63/37 solder I've been using for the past 2 years has been recalled on safety grounds due it having 'EXCESSIVE CHEMICAL....IF YOU HAVE THE AFFECTED ITEM, PLEASE STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY ! '

I was wondering why I was seeing double at the end of every workday, lol. It probably has a high bromide content or some other nastiness.
No, it's actually quite lovely to use. A lot like my beloved but damned expensive Oyaide SS47 stuff.

Anyone got any recommendations for an equivalent 63/37 solder.
I get through about a kilo of the stuff every couple of months so it would be nice if it was on the cheaper side compared to the SS47.

 

[Overundr1]

Been using Kester 44 for so long I guess I am resigned to paying silly $$$ for it. A pound does go a long ways though compared to when I was taking on customer work. Over the last couple of years there have been a couple of scares over the EPA banning lead in solder which did not help the pricing any.

 

[Gepetto]

New Kester 63/27 Alloy FLUX 245 Core Solder Wire Roll 1Kg / 2.4 LB / 1.0 mm (60 | eBay

 

[Chris Cables]

New Kester 63/27 Alloy FLUX 245 Core Solder Wire Roll 1Kg / 2.4 LB / 1.0 mm (60 | eBay

Thanks but that actually looks like fake Kester. You can tell just by the poor print quality of the label and the sellers name also gives the game away somewhat. This stuff is also all over aliexpress.
If you look at the pukka Kester solder it looks nothing like that ebay/aliexpress stuff.

I found a replacement 63/37 0.8mm anyway. Probably the same poisonous stuff made in the same factory as the banned stuff. Just sold with a different label by the same seller, lol.

 

[Gepetto]

Thanks but that actually looks like fake Kester. You can tell just by the poor print quality of the label and the sellers name also gives the game away somewhat. This stuff is also all over aliexpress.
If you look at the pukka Kester solder it looks nothing like that ebay/aliexpress stuff.

I found a replacement 63/37 0.8mm anyway. Probably the same poisonous stuff made in the same factory as the banned stuff. Just sold with a different label by the same seller, lol.
View attachment 84029

Nope, the real deal...

 

[Chris Cables]

Nope, the real deal...

Out of all the 'genuine Kester' ads on ebay, this one isn't even described as 'genuine' and just looks fake as fk.
There's nothing to suggest it's genuine Kester solder whatsoever and a lot to suggest otherwise. Look at that dubious-looking box of 15 rolls. That's how Chinese sellers package stuff. I'd expect it to come in the traditional octagonal box that kester is known for.

Personally, I'd only be buying Kester from somewhere like Mouser or RS Online.

 

[Gepetto]

Out of all the 'genuine Kester' ads on ebay, this one isn't even described as 'genuine' and just looks fake as fk.
There's nothing to suggest it's genuine Kester solder whatsoever and a lot to suggest otherwise. Look at that dubious-looking box of 15 rolls. That's how Chinese sellers package stuff. I'd expect it to come in the traditional octagonal box that kester is known for.

Personally, I'd only be buying Kester from somewhere like Mouser or RS Online.

The octagonal box is the 1 pound rolls. These are the 1kg rolls