[sdiy] solder questions

[Tentochi]

Do most people *not* clean their Kester 44 boards?  I think I still have a couple of rolls on the
bench somewhere.

I received 2 boards from Cyndustries like this (uncleaned 44), and cosmetically it looked terrible
especially next to my other shiny boards.  I was surprised to say the least.

For people that *do* clean their Kester 44 boards, what methods do you use to clean them?

I do believe the majority of active synth DIYers have switched over to 331 and 245 though, right?

--Todd

> Kester 44 is clasified, believe it or not, as a no clean flux...Kester 245 
> just make less mess...

> >I didn't know anyone was still regularly using rosin core such as Kester 
> >44.  I only use it for
> >very tricky jobs or specialized rework/repair; even then, I try and avoid 
> >it.  Pretty much
> >everyone has switched over to organic (water soluable) and no-clean 
> >fluxxes.  In North America,
> >most people are using the Kester versions (331 and 245 respectively) of 
> >these.  I forget the brand
> >they are typically using in Europe.  The following information is taken 
> >from Dave B's excellent
> >Hot Rod MOTM site (http://www.hotrodmotm.com) (pricing is a few years old, 
> >so YMMV).  I know at
> >least John Blacet (http://www.blacet.com) and Tony Allgood 
> >(http://www.oakleysound.com) have
> >followed in Paul Scheiber's footsteps (http://www.synthtech.com) in this 
> >area.  Paul goes a step
> >further in including these Kester solders in all of his MOTM kits.  Thanks 
> >Paul!
> >
> >ORGANIC
> >--Kester #24-6337-6401, 331 water soluble core, .020 dia., 1 lb. (This is 
> >the water clean solder
> >supplied in MOTM kits)
> >**Allied #833-1455, 1-9 $16.67
> >**Mouser #533-24-6337-6401, 1-9 $17.98
> >
> >NO-CLEAN
> >--Kester #24-6337-8814, 245 no-clean, .050 dia., 1 lb. (This is the no 
> >clean solder supplied in
> >MOTM kits)
> >**Mouser #533-24-6337-8814, 1-9 $ 12.06
> >--Kester #24-6337-8800, 245 no-clean, .031 dia., 1 lb. (If you want a 
> >thinner no clean solder)
> >**Mouser #533-24-6337-8800, 1-9 $ 12.86
> >
> >The water-soluble flux is very corrosive (please correct me if I don't use 
> >the right words
> >describing this) and needs to be washed within an hour or so of usage.  I 
> >use normal tap water,
> >but some suggest using de-ionized or filtered water to avoid any 
> >residue.  The flux is OSHAA
> >approved to go down your household sink.  I use a small fingernail brush 
> >to help out; some use a
> >tooth brush.
> >
> >The no-clean type solder doesn't flow quite as well, but is typically used 
> >on items that shouldn't
> >get wet such as pots, jacks and hook-up wire.  The water-soluable type is 
> >used on the balance.
> >
> >There is some flux residue from the no-clean flux, and it does not need to 
> >be removed.  For
> >cosmetic reasons, some people do remove it and there are several products 
> >that are readily
> >available commercially for this purpose.
> >
> > >  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?
> >
> >This should increase your joy of soldering immensely.
> >
> >--Todd (fellow solder jockey)


		
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