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Solder Question

post #1 of 9
11/24/09 at 10:53am
Thread Starter 
I'm about to start my CTH build and have a solder question. Up until now I've been using basic Radio Shack 62/36/2 solder for my projects (CMOYBB, etc). Results have been very good with temp set at 750F: solder flows quickly and smoothly, every joint nice and shiny. Getting ready for the CTH build I ordered some Wonder Solder Signature 21ga. I was just doing some tests with some cheap resistors on perf board and find the Wonder somewhat hesitant to flow and every joint is a dull silver color. Is this normal? The joints just don't look as good as with the RS solder. What's going on?

Thanks for your help.
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post #2 of 9
11/24/09 at 11:21am
I have the same expierence with two different RS solders.
First is noname 63% solder that flows perfectly and looks shiny and second is 60% Sanhe (china too) that flows very bad and looks not shiny...
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post #3 of 9
11/24/09 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stringgz301 View Post
I'm about to start my CTH build and have a solder question. Up until now I've been using basic Radio Shack 62/36/2 solder for my projects (CMOYBB, etc). Results have been very good with temp set at 750F: solder flows quickly and smoothly, every joint nice and shiny. Getting ready for the CTH build I ordered some Wonder Solder Signature 21ga. I was just doing some tests with some cheap resistors on perf board and find the Wonder somewhat hesitant to flow and every joint is a dull silver color. Is this normal? The joints just don't look as good as with the RS solder. What's going on?

Thanks for your help.
Is the Wonder solder lead free? This would account for the dull joints and it not flowing easy.
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post #4 of 9
11/24/09 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 
Yes it is lead free. Not sure why I ordered that. So should I use it or go back to the Radio Shack? Don't know how I'd recognize a cold solder joint with the lead free.
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post #5 of 9
11/24/09 at 12:09pm
Which one is better? With lead or without it?
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post #6 of 9
11/24/09 at 1:06pm
It's a matter of preference and availability. I have access to both, but always choose leaded solder because it's easier to work with and flows at lower temps which is good when working with delicate parts.
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post #7 of 9
11/24/09 at 3:52pm
I agree with ecclesand, leaded solder is really much better to work with and so far I haven't had a single cold joint.

Unless you really care about the environment there isn't much reason for a hobbyist to use unleaded solder, it only makes sense in an industrial scale.
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post #8 of 9
11/24/09 at 5:08pm
750F is pretty hot for lead solder. I use a little less than this for lead-free solder, and around 600- 620F for 63/37 lead solder. Be careful when soldering plastic component sockets, pin headers, or any part where the metal is in plastic as the plastic can melt and cause alignment problems.
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post #9 of 9
11/25/09 at 7:07pm
Is there any lead free solder that is liquid as solder with lead? Or they're far more difficult to use with double sided PCBs?
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