[sdiy] Radio Shack solder.

[Tavys Ashcroft]

On 9/26/06, Seb Francis <seb at burnit.co.uk> wrote:
> Personally I've switched from using organic to using no-clean.  The end
> result doesn't *look* quite so nice but once the PCBs mounted inside a
> box of behind a panel who can tell the difference.  With no-clean
> there's no hassle of washing or scratching off the flux.  Just solder
> and you're done.

So you use no-clean for everything?  Kester 245?  I've considered
that, but I wasn't sure if there was a good reason or not to keep
using 331 on boards and wash it off.


On 9/26/06, Harry Bissell Jr <harrybissell at prodigy.net> wrote:
> why is everyone so thrilled with
> organic solder. essentially this is
> like "acid core" solder - so corrosive
> it will eat the board.

Can anybody speak to how well this stuff holds up over the years if it
has been properly washed away?  I use Kester 331 for most through-hole
components, wash with warm water and a toothbrush, and then switch to
Kester 245 for pots and switches and other off-board stuff.  Perhaps I
could just be using 245 for everything and not bother with the washing
step.  Is it merely for cosmetics that I'm using solder that I can
rinse to squeaky-clean?  Is there any longevity reason to not use 245
for everything?

-Tavys