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- Jan 14, 2011
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- Halfbiass...Electron Herder and Backass Woof
Amen CJ, that's why we use Kester 44..thanks for the data sheers Dennis..
I don't recommend using lead free solder for any electronic work: design, manufacturing or repair.
Lead is an essential ingredient for and quality, shiny solder joints.
There was a time when I only lead free solder and pure lead solder to do a job. I had to mix the two together to avoid dull solder joints that can easily crack and crumble.
There is a great potential for dendrite growth that can cause circuit failure with lead free solder.
I would not trust any electronic equipment manufactured or serviced using lead free solder.
I believe that the RoHS banning lead in solder and cadmium in batteries in EU is totally misguided and irresponsible. Recycling and safe handling of such toxic metals should be the main focus.
The 99% alcohol works well and it is easy to get. I use Ensolve but it is not compatible with some of the components used in audio such as the heat shrink wrapped electrolytic capacitors.
http://www.envirotechint.com/industrial-solvents/npb-solvents/ensolv/
Amen CJ, that's why we use Kester 44..thanks for the data sheers Dennis..
I use acetone on the trace side and Iso on the component side..Ensolver is the same as Dynasolve and I keep a healthy distance from that stuff nowadays after the wrinkled hand incident..
I couldn't get a data sheet besides a MSDS for the flux you use so I wanted to include the data sheets of what Kester recommended for flux. Of course it is a Kester product - go figure.
Oh, yeah. Carbon tet was the shit. That would clean ANYTHING. You can still get MEK but it just isn't the same...Are you old enough to remember carbon tetrachloride?? Now that shit WORKED!!
So the CG is repackaged Kester??
Second that on 63/37. The only thing to use. The Kester 44 is good but I prefer the no clean flux versionI'm not sure but the write up indicates that it is non-corrosive and non-conductive so it appears to be a similar product.
The 60/40 will work well - I have some but I prefer the 63/37 ratio. The dwell time between solder flow and solidification is shorter. Next care package I'll include some 63/37 and flux for you to compare.
Love mine and it's a great value, and if it can survive me it should do fine for you, and an added feature is it turns itself off afdter an hour of no temp fluctuation...VERYY HANDY FEATURE...
The Kester 63/37 in "no clean" works as well as or better than the Kester 44 that I have used for years. It goes under the "245" series. I get the 1% flux by volume, keeps the residue down. The Kester part number is 24-6337-8809 for the 0.025" diameter solder wire. The flux residue is less conductive than the "44" which is a big plus.
If you want to clean it with Isopropyl alcohol, it cleans up much easier than the "44" does and leaves no residue once cleaned. I have been through a couple 1# rolls of the 245 and it performs very well. Same iron temperatures as the "44". Highly recommended.