Hello everybody.
It is hard to find 63/37 solder in the Philippines. So far, this has been one of the cheaper alternatives by mail order.
Has anybody used it? Is it any good?
https://ph.element14.com/duratool/spc22138/solder-wire-63-37-sn-pb-1lb/dp/1539841
It is hard to find 63/37 solder in the Philippines. So far, this has been one of the cheaper alternatives by mail order.
Has anybody used it? Is it any good?
https://ph.element14.com/duratool/spc22138/solder-wire-63-37-sn-pb-1lb/dp/1539841
Element14 are usually a reputable dealer so it should be ok.
My experience of buying solder has been good and bad.
I bought some cheap stuff from China and it would barely melt.
If I stick to RS Components or Farnell (element14) its usually good.
My experience of buying solder has been good and bad.
I bought some cheap stuff from China and it would barely melt.
If I stick to RS Components or Farnell (element14) its usually good.
Element 14 also seems to carry 63/37 from Kester, that stuff should be good but probably a bit more expensive.
As far as cheap solder from China goes, I bought some "Mechanic" brand solder from LCSC in the past and had no problems with it. But if you can still get leaded solder from more reputable manufacturers I would avoid buying from China.
As far as cheap solder from China goes, I bought some "Mechanic" brand solder from LCSC in the past and had no problems with it. But if you can still get leaded solder from more reputable manufacturers I would avoid buying from China.
Avoid any solder with "water soluble flux" in a tube amp or anything with more than a few volts on a PC board. The residue left behind after an imperfect cleanup will absorb moisture leading to fireworks in a 500 volt amp, and erratic behavior in high impedance circuits.
That would be tin/copper I suspect - unsuitable.
For hand soldering (as opposed to machine soldering), you need a eutectic alloy (and rosin-core)
For unleaded the eutectic composition is 95.5% Sn/3.8% Ag/0.7% Cu,
For leaded its 63% Sn/37% Pb.
Non-eutectics melt grudgingly and are pasty as they solidify. Pastiness leads to dry joints it there is
movement - hence a very bad thing for hand-soldering (probably fine for a wave soldering machine though).