[sdiy] solder questions

[Paul Higgins]

Hi all,

The talk about PC board disasters and such got me to thinking.  I know 
that solder has been discussed a bit in the past, but I've forgotten 
whether this topic has: is there a solder type that is preferred these 
days for general-purpose work (i.e. everything: outboard parts as well 
as PCB work, tube sockets, perfboard, and other no-clean applications)? 
  I'm still using the old-school stuff, Kester 44, and occasionally 
silver solder for a few applications, but I know there's a wide variety 
of other stuff available.  Is there any advantage to using the newer 
products?

Also, I've noticed that my local supplier (AEI Electronics here in MN) 
carries the bottled liquid rosin flux, but the only other flux I've 
ever seen is the (shudder) Radio Shack stuff which is a paste.  Is one 
dramatically better than the other?  (I have a feeling that the answer 
will always be "yes, the competing product" when it comes to Radio 
Shack).  : )

-PRH