Yes, that's true when any solder is packaged like this. However, it is very handy to hold, and to carry in the field.
Of course, you can make up your own tube dispenser from solder off a 1lb roll much cheaper.
Just find a small plastic tube suitable for this, or buy one tube of solder and keep refilling it from your roll.
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On a related note, do you use added flux when you solder? Or, just rely on what's in the solder itself?
I'll check out All-Spec, but it might be just as cheap for me to get it from Parts Express because I have enough in my cart to qualify for free shipping. There's probably some shipping cost at All-Spec.
Never add flux for thru-hole boards. If it seems you don't have enough flux, maybe you need
a larger diameter solder with more flux inside. Or, the parts are too oxidized.
You may need flux with smt boards, because you'll be using much smaller solder, with less flux in it.
I can't believe those prices for Kester are that much cheaper at All-Spec. Is it "old" solder or something? Are they rewinding some off-brand solder onto Kester rolls? It's less than 1/2 the price of Digikey or Mouser.
On another related note, has anyone ever used Plato tips for their Hakko stations? I have a 936 and probably could stand to get some tips. I just wonder if they'll work as well as OEM Hakko tips? As it stands, I see that I can't even get the 900M tips anymore for my station from Hakko. They're discontinued and have been replaced by some other series.
Old stuff............all through-hole. I don't care for the larger diameter solder, though. Thanks
Better stock it up... As the ban on leaded solder in manufacturing spreads, leaded solder prices will go up and up.
Or rather, you were already too late, hence the prices have already gone up compared to your memory.
Or rather, you were already too late, hence the prices have already gone up compared to your memory.
Taobao has 63/37 around $10/500g so under half the price of All-Spec. Are you sure you guys aren't being overcharged?
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?s...823883&cm_id=140105335569ed55e27b&abbucket=13
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?s...823883&cm_id=140105335569ed55e27b&abbucket=13
Is there something special about Kester? You can have a pound of Multicore 63/37 20 AWG for $26.30 from DigiKey. I've been using Multicore since 1972. I sometimes have to use Kester and I find nothing wrong with it but also nothing to justify the price.
I find a Metcal soldering iron to be FAR more useful to me. After a Metcal everything else is a soldering tusk.
G²
I find a Metcal soldering iron to be FAR more useful to me. After a Metcal everything else is a soldering tusk.
G²
No, it's just due to markup and scale. Support them in their pricing.
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Metcal is great, now owned by OK International.
Hand Soldering System, Convection Rework, Fume Extraction System, Fluid Dispensing System
I've used other solders. I've always had good results with Kester. I don't know. Seems like I get better results with it. They've been making solder for a long time. I think NASA uses it. Gotta be a reason for that, maybe.
From what I hear, too, it probably is a better setup. But, I can't justify the cost of a Metcal setup for my limited hobby-type jobs. I bought a Hakko and it works fine for me.
The Kester 63/37 at Parts Express is $5 +change more than the Multicore price you quoted. Granted it's more, but it's not ridiculously more.
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Interesting because I've always had good results with Multicore and no complaints with Kester - except for the price.
G²
When this question came up a couple years ago, I happened to be at a meeting with the technical director of Kester (they are owned by the company I work for). The answers to, "Why is there still 60/40 when 63/37 works better?" were:
1. Historical. If 60/40 was specified decades ago, getting a spec changed is a major hassle for very minor advantage. The qualification time and expense are enormous.
2. The viscosities of the melts are different, so 60/40 is used in dip or wave applications where the laydown is desired to be thicker.
3. There is a very slight difference in cost.
Reason 1 was 90% weighting, Reason 2 was 8%, Reason 3 was 2%. 😀
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