[sdiy] Radio Shack solder.

[Harry Bissell Jr]

why is everyone so thrilled with
organic solder. essentially this is
like "acid core" solder - so corrosive
it will eat the board.

I use Kester 44 (rosin core) and wait for
the flux to harden, then flick it off with
a (somewhat dull) scratch awl. Then a quick
rub with a dry toothbrush and you're ready for
the next fifty years.

I 'might' use a local alcohol rinse (swab)
around super critical circuits like S/H caps
etc.

Some components (esp some polystyrene caps
that are wrap/fill) do not appreciate water...
switches and trimpots are real suspect as well.

H^) harry

--- Jason Proctor <jason at redfish.net> wrote:

> for best results use organic solder - eg kester 331
> (iirc) - for your 
> resistors, caps, ICs, diodes, and transistors.
> 
> if you go this route you MUST wash your board in
> lukewarm water, 
> ideally rinse with distilled water, and dry with
> paper towel (do not 
> leave to dry) every hour or so (and again when you
> finish the above, 
> obviously). the flux in organic solder is really
> nasty and corrosive, 
> but if you do this there won't be any flux left on
> the board at all. 
> the boards look really great. it's worth the hassle.
> 
> then switch to no-clean or rosin-core (eg kester 44)
> for the 
> trimmers, pots, power connector, wiring etc. of
> course, don't wash 
> the board when you use this stuff. once you switch
> to regular solder, 
> you have to stay there.
> 
> hth
> j
> soldering away
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >I bought some RadioShack Standard Rosin-Core
> Solder.  Is this safe to use?
> >
> >I've used it to install some resistors, to check it
> out.  It leaves a
> >clear film circle around each point...
> 
>