ODP: Enlighten a semi-novice

[Rob]

flux is my friend..

Just use a rosin/alcohol based flux.. I have found that the BEST connections
are made with the paste flux from radio shack (composition:petrolatum and
resin)..
Mind you some of those "water based" fluxes are evil corrosive ie if i leave
a board uncleaned and go for lunch, the solder mask starts to dissolve and
the writing on the chips come off!!

BUT, OTOH, you can wash the water based flux off VERY easily, but you need
to get it offa there asap after using it..I mean, just rinse it under water
and the stuff comes RIGHT off!! Lovely..

The rosin based flux needs alcohol and a brush with some elbo grease,
otherwise it will be all sticky and nasty..
BTW, the water based flux will soak into your skin, so you definitely dont
want it on your hands cuz it leaves burns..

If you use water base, get a solid core solder.. Dont mix the two flux types
by using rosin core solder with water based flux, otherwise you will have a
hell of a time getting off of anything, and you definitely dont want to have
em mix into some sort of "napalm sticky never come off chemical burn
inducing" stuff and get it on your hands or have it not come out of some
cranny on your board, happily eating away at your components..

Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Roman Sowa <Roman.Sowa at WizjaTV.pl>
To: synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl <synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl>
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 4:28 PM
Subject: ODP: ODP: Enlighten a semi-novice


>
>> At 01:34 PM 29/06/99 +0200, Roman Sowa  wrote:
>> >I use separate flux when the board is not solder plated, i.e. when I
etch
>> it
>> >at home. And even then, when I intend to solder all parts immediately
>> >after etching I dont paint the board with the flux before soldering.
>>
>> I use a wire brush to clean the copper before soldering, and never have
>> any
>> problems. I can't imagine that using actual paste flux can be good for
>> components, it is hellish corrosive.
>>
>> paul perry melbourne australia
>>
> [Roman Sowa]
> So I guess 'flux' means something different - I never used anything
> corrosive while soldering. Only rosin disolved in alcohol.
>
>