solder iron

[Greg.]

Also, for heavy duty jobs such as soldering thick wire to speaker terminals, I use a 100W Weller solder gun.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

Would not touch that stuff . Bob

A mate recently presented me with a length of double-screened silver core cable, phono plugs and and some silver solder and asked me to make up a lead for him. Like Bob and others I have previously found the lead-free "silver solder" a pain to work with, and went back to the old lead-tin stuff.

However, this time I thought I would give it another go. It ain't cheap at £3/m from here :

http://https://www.analogueseduction...er-solder.html

I was pleasantly surprised that it soldered well at about one notch higher on the temperature control knob than before (I deliberately haven't quoted numbers as I don't believe my Chinese solder station's read-out !), although the smell of the flux was foul ! The best point for me was that it cleaned the bit beautifully all over. So if you are in the market for some bit cleaner, try some of this silver solder !

Mark

[Greg.]

Link won’t open for me, Mark.

[bob orbell]

Nor me . Bob

[Pingushome]

Mark
Like Bob the link is broken, but I had a look at Analouge Seduction and I think you refer to Fituretech stuff. Yes I’ve used it and is not bad at all, their leaded stuff was better tho. I first started with leaded but have now had to go to unleaded ☹️
Bob,
Took a look at the RS solder, didn’t know they still did it but unfortunately it’s on back order. Still I’ll keep an eye out for new stocks.
Thanks
Martin

[TimN]

Originally Posted by Greg.

Using the right iron and solder makes all the difference in this hobby and over the passage of time I have learnt a lot both from experienced/professional users and my own mistakes and experience.
I would recommend a temperature controlled iron. Both digital and analogue types work well. Weller is a popular choice which have a reputation for lasting many years of frequent use. A cheaper alternative is Antex, but they are less long lived. They are fine for the average hobbyist who is not using the iron every day. I used to have an analogue temperature controlled Antex which did me well for a number of years. I did need to replace the temperature control board in the iron, but I may have just been unlucky. I now use a Metcal which are stupidly expensive, but an absolute joy to use. I just happened to get lucky when I was offered a little used second hand one. I use four different bits depending on the job. A point bit useful for repairs on commercial PCB’s and three different sized chisel bits.
I suggest the use of a low temperature melting point solder which contains a little silver. I use, as do several other experienced hobbyists a 179°C LMP solder which is 2% silver, 62% tin and 36% lead. RS Part No. 551-671.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder/0551671

Maybe I will try this solder out when my current stockpile has reduced as it's notably cheaper despite being from RS.

Metcal - How much!!!! Although my soldering iron is temperature controlled it always seems to be on maximum!

[A Stuart]

Originally Posted by Mark

http://https://www.analogueseduction...er-solder.html

The correct link appears to be https://www.analogueseduction.net/so...er-solder.html
Somehow an extra http had been inserted.

[bikerhifinut]

RSonline may refuse to supply Leaded solder if you dont have a business account with them.
I found this out a while back.
there are options in eBay Land though and I got a big roll that will possibly outlive me, probably was old new stock.

Andy

[Mark]

Originally Posted by A Stuart

The correct link appears to be https://www.analogueseduction.net/so...er-solder.html
Somehow an extra http had been inserted.

All,

Apologies. My mistake. A Stuart's link is correct : it's the Oyaide SS-47 Audio Grade Silver Solder.

The blurb tells me that "SS-47 is the ultimate solder which extract maximum performance of components and actualize stress-free craftwork. You can discover new D.I.Y life with it." :-).

Mark

[bob orbell]

The blurb tells me that "SS-47 is the ultimate solder which extract maximum performance of components and actualize stress-free craftwork. You can discover new D.I.Y life with it." :-).
And the band played believe it if you like. Bob