What solder diameter do you use?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I use 63/37 0.8 mm rosin core, which is great for through hole soldering but kinda sucks for surface mount components.
What diameter do you suggest I buy? 0.6? 0.5? Maybe even 0.3?

And what’s the deal with the 0.1 mm copper soldering wire I see everywhere? Do you use it the same as tin based solder?

2

bump…

3
4

0.8mm(.032) 60/40 rosin core is what Old-Lumens uses, so that’s what I bought. I haven’t done any soldering yet though.

5

I keep multiple sizes around
.032” for Wires and big thru-hole components
.020” for Large surface mount and small thru-hole components
.015” for small surface mount components.

This is my favorite solder:
http://www.murraypercival.com/product/alpha-metals-relicaore-15-63sn37pb-wire-solder,1564,51.htm

This is also very good
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=183-988
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=140-994
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=140-987

PPtk

6

0.6mm for connections.

1.0mm for fill-ins.

I tend to use 60/40.

7

Reasonable choices. 63/37 is a little nicer to work with than 60/40. It’s the eutectic ratio of Tin and Lead meaning 1) It has the lowest melting point of any mixture of Tin and Lead and 2) It has a melting POINT rather than a melting RANGE. It doesn’t go through the dough stage where it’s not quite liquid and not quite solid like 60/40 does. As it cools, there is an instant transition from liquid to solid.

PPtk

8

I normally just grab whatever's on the shelf on my local electronic store. And whatever comes in the biggest spool.

EDIT: I do have some very, very expensive silver solder (around a dollar per gram) for audio, but I only use that when rewiring headphones, tube amps, etc.

9

I’ve just ordered 0.5mm and 0.3mm solder reels, both 63/37 (of the “BEST” brand if it makes any difference).
Let’s see if it makes any changes to my soldering experience…

One thing remained unanswered - what is the copper solder reel used for? e.g. http://www.buyincoins.com/new_en/details/0-1mm-copper-soldering-solder-ppa-enamelled-reel-wire-product-5932.html

10

For SMT I suggerst this type:

11

To be honest, too thick… Some generic stuff from DX.
Works fine though, seems to have flux in it, pretty much that amber stuff floating around when I solder with it.

12

I use 0.8mm 60/40 which I find flows better. PPtk mentioned 63/37 as his preferred alloy. I guess I’ve always had it backwards then?

13

I use mostly use Kester .031 SN63 (63/37) I have two 1 lb rolls or that. I've also got Kester .031 and .062 SN60 (60/40) in stock. Pretty much a lifetime supply.

14

Glenn, you are the solder king of BLF :wink:

15

I don't know about that Richie. I do have a little bit of experience though :)

16

Glenn beat me to it. Kester Sn63 is my choice. I have the 0.031 and 0.050 use both for wire to pads. I also have some silver solder used for audio but I never use it on lights. I do keep plenty of Kester rosin flux on hand, makes every joint solid & secure.

17

Have you ever build kits with silver solder? I built several Dynakit's, Heathkit's, and Hafler's back in the 70's. Never tried silver solder though. Isn't it much harder to solder without overheating circuit board eyelets?

BTW, I use supplemental rosin flux on occasion. Depends on the joint I'm making..

18

I have over 50 lbs of various solders on hand…

BTW, you really don’t want to buy more solder than you can use in a year or two. The flux degrades with time. Most makers recommend a three year shelf life max.

19

I have 20+ year old solder at home and at work still making nice bright connections. Never once had a cold solder joint from old solder.

20

I use 0.75 and 0.6 usually. .75 is a nice diameter for regular sized soldering jobs and 0.6 is just a bit better on SMD components. I recently got 0.35mm solder from Ersa and it is tiny. I guess I will use this only on small pitch SMD ICs.