40/60 solder wire

[dokebi]

I found some 40% tin 60% lead rosin core solder in my friends toolbox. Would using this in my DIY amps be a bad idea?

 

[Gariver]

Both Jon Risch and John Curl recommend that newbies use eutectic solders. Why? Eutectic solders do not have a pasty state. They go from solid to liquid instantly (and vice versa). Usually, cold solder joints are created during the pasty state. With a 15 degree pasty state, 60/40 can get you some nasty cold solder joints. That is, joints that do not work.

Recommended solders for newbies...
--Kester 63/37 "44" Solder.
--Kester 63/37 No Clean Solder.
--Cardas Quad Eutectic Solder.
--Wonder Ultra Clear Solder.

Mouser has a Kester 63/37 No Clean Solder in a pocker pack for $1.30. That's affordable! So give it a try!

 

[dokebi]

Thanks. I already have suitable solder and I havent made a cold joint out of 5 cmoys (practice) yet. I was just wondering if 40% tin 60% lead solder would have any bad characteristics. I ask because the amount of solder is around 1 pound.

 

[Gariver]

The link below makes a good point. In the audio industry, the switch from 60/40 to eutectic solders of 63/37 reduced PCB problems. Nowdays, eutectic solders are the standard.

Read this...
http://www.soniccraft.com/parts/cardas.htm

 

[skippy]

60/40 is very common, and i use the stuff a lot. the stuff works fine. you just gotta be a bit more careful about cold solder joints.

 

[Joe Lau]

Quote:

Originally posted by skippy 60/40 is very common, and i use the stuff a lot. the stuff works fine. you just gotta be a bit more careful about cold solder joints.

Yes ! 60/40 is so normal and don't have any problem but 60% Lead , 40% Tin is a very poor quality solder ! Dn't use it in audio. easy to oxidizing ! Solder will become dark in a short time. It will increase in solder join resistance. I only use 63/37 due to it have shiing surface.

 

[tangent]

I'm not sure it's clear to everyone, but Joe Lau is right: dokebi isn't talking about 60/40 solder, he's talking about "40/60" solder. 40/60 is rotten stuff for electronics of all sorts. It's for sweating plumbing together and stuff like that. It's not even supposed to be used for that any more, since all plumbing is supposed to use lead-free solders now. Point is, that's what 40/60 solder was designed for originally.

Dokebi, get some 63/37 solder or some other eutectic blend designed for electronics use.

 

[skippy]

oh, crud... i didn't even notice... yeah tangent is right 40/60 isn't good for electronics.

 

[dokebi]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I think i'm going to use this 40/60 to solder a bunch of pennies together. lol

 

[was ist los?]

does anyone have a part number on which solder to get?

 

[Voodoochile]

Mmmm... you could sweat a lot of pipes with that stuff.

 

[Gariver]

Here's some info...

Kester 44 in 63Sn/37Pb Eutectic Mix...
--1/2 pound.
--Diameter: 0.025 inches.
--Mouser Part # 533-23-6337-18
--Price: $8.50

http://www.mouser.com

 

[was ist los?]

Thanks for that quick reply Gariver