best diameter and composition for kester solder?

[euclid]

hi, id like to try kester 44 solder and im hoping for some recommendations
for general purpose pcb work and occasional xlr/rca connectors

diameter- im wondering about the 0.020 and 0.031, is the 0.020 too small?

composition- is the 63/37 worth the price difference compared to 60/40

thanks!

 

[eVITAERC]

The consensus seem to be that go for the Cardas stuff if you can find it. 100g of that stuff isn't that expensive and it's very very easy to work with.

Failing that... I have nothing useful to say since in Canada we don't get cheap Kesters.

 

[Viverr]

I've had good results with the Kester 62/36/2 in 0.025. Comes on a 1lb spool for ~$30. It's a good size for general board work. If you're not looking into using a silver bearing solder, my preference would be the 63/37. I have a nasty habit of jiggling things before they're set, and the eutetic blend simplifies the whole mess.

If you're going to do a lot of PCB work, I'd say go for the 0.020. Otherwise, if you're looking at working a lot with connectors with really deep/wide solder cups, the 0.031 (or larger) might make life a little easier.

my underqualified $0.02
V.

 

[tigger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eVITAERC The consensus seem to be that go for the Cardas stuff if you can find it. 100g of that stuff isn't that expensive and it's very very easy to work with. Failing that... I have nothing useful to say since in Canada we don't get cheap Kesters.

Digi-Key sells it.

 

[Voodoochile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid composition- is the 63/37 worth the price difference compared to 60/40

Absolutely.
It may look insignificant at the outset, but there is a significant difference in the way the joint sets. You will have more of a tendancy to get a cold joint with 60/40.

 

[adhoc]

if you're using the solder for pcb work, the smaller the diameter, the better. but more expensive too.

remember to go for 'ra' or 'rma' flux cores - these 2 wont corrode stuff if left uncleaned.

other than that, i'd go along with the recommendations for 63/37. much better to work with than 60/40 - it completely avoids that 'slurry' state where you must keep the joint absolutely still to prevent a cold joint.

 

[euclid]

thanks for all the helpful replies.

the cardas is $70/lb which is really overkill for my needs.

HMI has the kester 44, .020 63/37 RA flux for $21.40/lb, the .025 in the same composition is $14.60/lb

also, what width of desoldering wick would be best .06 .08 .10?

thanks again

 

[Pars]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid HMI has the kester 44, .020 63/37 RA flux for $21.40/lb, the .025 in the same composition is $14.60/lb

Stupid question: who is HMI?

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid HMI has the kester 44, .020 63/37 RA flux for $21.40/lb, the .025 in the same composition is $14.60/lb

I've done lots and lots (and lots!) of SO-8 and 1206 SMT size soldering with 25 mil solder. Unless you're going for smaller things, I don't see a reason to spend the money for the 20 mil stuff.

Quote:

what width of desoldering wick would be best .06 .08 .10?

Unless you're doing very fine work (again, smaller than the SMT stuff I mentioned above), the .1" stuff will work best. I find that the fine weave of thinner stuff makes it soak up too little solder for the problems I throw at it.

 

[bg4533]

I have been using Kester 44 in .025. Works really well for me. I never want anything smaller. I have occasionally wanted something bigger, but the .025 is always suffecient.

 

[euclid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pars Stupid question: who is HMI?

not a stupid question at all b/c HMI was a typo. its HMCelectronics.com and just as a headsup they are having a sale on the Hakko 936 station for $78.90 which is $20 less than other online retailers.

regarding the desoldering braid, i thought the thicker width would be best for absorbtion but the reason i asked was b.c i thought maybe the .1 had too much mass to conduct heat to the pad efficently, but on tangents recommendation i will definately pick some up.

i really appreciate all the replies, im going to go ahead and place my order with confidence.

 

[Pars]

Thanks for the heads-up. Already have a Hakko 936-12. BTW, www.tequipment.net also has this on special ($78.80). They're on the east coast (NJ I think) and are good to do business with.

 

[Jazper]

I use the 2% kester silver solder 25mil and like it a lot.

 

[DaKi][er]

0.71mm/28mil diameter basic 60/40 is my weapon of choice, only because I was given a spool of it and found no need to get anything else
does everything right down to SSOP and 0806 sizes and probably smaller still, just I havn't had the need to yet but it is all in the technique