Re: [Elecraft] Safe way to remove excess flux?
Jeff, Isopropanol, denatured isopropyl alcohol works great, available from Techspray, www.techspray.com, via Mouser/Digikey/Jameco (can't recall where I got it last). Or, try the 90% solution rubbing alcohol, ~$1/pt at WalMart. -- 73, Rod N0RC On 11/19/2005 11:59 AM, jrb said the following: > > Can any of you folks recommend a safe way to remove excess flux from a PCB? ... ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Safe way to remove excess flux?
Use 100% Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol). Get a 1/2 inch paint brush, the sort you would use for trimming around window frames etc, and cut the bristles back to about half length to stiffen it up a bit. Dip the brush in the alcohol then scrub a small area of the circuit board for about 20 seconds, then dab dry with an absorbent cloth. I have never damaged any boards this way, but it's not particularly "safe" because Isopropanol is highly flammable, so do it outside and away from sources of ignition. Also the chaps at Elecraft don't approve of cleaning boards at all, but I won't tell if you don't. 73 Paul ZL3IN > Can any of you folks recommend a safe way to remove > excess flux from a PCB? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Safe way to remove excess flux?
David, You forgot something important (it requires firewood and matches in addition to your other ingredients) - just after the Vodka step, add: build and light a campfire, and dance around it chanting "flux go 'way, flux go 'way, flux go 'way". Do that forward and backwards ten times, and the flux spell will surely be broken. 73, Don W3FPR > -Original Message- > > Jeff: >Despite all the advice you may get, there is really only one > proper way to remove excess flux. It is a long, drawn out process > that requires a minimum of the following ingredients: > > small horse-hair brush > small wire brush > isopropyl alcohol (100%) > 100 proof vodka (any brand) > small turkey baster > little leather pouch > butane lighter > a few toothpicks > several candles > > You can find most of these items in your local hardware store and any > friendly kitchen supply store. > > Place your PCB down on the counter with the trace side down. Examine > carefully all top-side components to check for those that are open > and could trap liquid. This might include such items as tuning cans, > pots, switches, connectors, and the like. Light one candle (using > the butane lighter), and let the wax drip into all these components. > This will keep the cleaning liquids from entering and possibly > ruining them. Beeswax candles are reputed to be the best for this use. > > Now turn the board over and, in your mind, map out a small section > (approximately 1/20th) of the board for initial treatment. Some > experienced techs say that even smaller sections may be better. You > might start with a section that doesn't have too much excess flux, > just to get the procedure in hand in a spot of little consequence. > > Using the small leather pouch, soak one corner with the alcohol and > place it into the candle flame (still burning). Let the corner char > slightly before blowing it out. Put a small amount of alcohol on the > horse-hair brush and swipe it back and forth over the burnt area of > the leather pouch to collect some of the carbonized char on its tip. > Brush this mixture onto the selected area, which has the unfortunate > side effect of making it somewhat darker and more difficult to see. > So, using the small wire brush, lightly pass it back and forth over > the area until the darkness is removed. A lighted magnifier is of > help here if you have one. If it doesn't come up right away, you > may rub a little harder. Break a toothpick in half and use the > ragged ends to clear the treated area of all residue to see if the > flux remains. If it does, use more pressure with the wire brush. > You are okay as long as you can still see remnants of the trace and/ > or pads being treated. > > Take a swig of the vodka and continue by darkening the next section. > > Proceed, repeating all of the above steps, section by section, until > you have completed the entire board. Most people feel quite relaxed > about the process after completing five or six sections, and just > about everyone I know who has tried this is thoroughly satisfied when > finished. > > I have still never figured out exactly what the Turkey baster is for, > but perhaps it is simply a symbolic souvenir for those who don't > simply leave the excess flux alone. > > best wishes, > > david belsley, w1euy > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 > > ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Safe way to remove excess flux?
Well, Don, I didn't want to get really involved for fear of making it too complicated. But, of course, you are right. It's certainly what I do. In fact, I find the process works so well that I often clean a given PCB several times. best wishes, dave On Nov 19, 2005, at 10:14 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: David, You forgot something important (it requires firewood and matches in addition to your other ingredients) - just after the Vodka step, add: build and light a campfire, and dance around it chanting "flux go 'way, flux go 'way, flux go 'way". Do that forward and backwards ten times, and the flux spell will surely be broken. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Jeff: Despite all the advice you may get, there is really only one proper way to remove excess flux. It is a long, drawn out process that requires a minimum of the following ingredients: small horse-hair brush small wire brush isopropyl alcohol (100%) 100 proof vodka (any brand) small turkey baster little leather pouch butane lighter a few toothpicks several candles You can find most of these items in your local hardware store and any friendly kitchen supply store. Place your PCB down on the counter with the trace side down. Examine carefully all top-side components to check for those that are open and could trap liquid. This might include such items as tuning cans, pots, switches, connectors, and the like. Light one candle (using the butane lighter), and let the wax drip into all these components. This will keep the cleaning liquids from entering and possibly ruining them. Beeswax candles are reputed to be the best for this use. Now turn the board over and, in your mind, map out a small section (approximately 1/20th) of the board for initial treatment. Some experienced techs say that even smaller sections may be better. You might start with a section that doesn't have too much excess flux, just to get the procedure in hand in a spot of little consequence. Using the small leather pouch, soak one corner with the alcohol and place it into the candle flame (still burning). Let the corner char slightly before blowing it out. Put a small amount of alcohol on the horse-hair brush and swipe it back and forth over the burnt area of the leather pouch to collect some of the carbonized char on its tip. Brush this mixture onto the selected area, which has the unfortunate side effect of making it somewhat darker and more difficult to see. So, using the small wire brush, lightly pass it back and forth over the area until the darkness is removed. A lighted magnifier is of help here if you have one. If it doesn't come up right away, you may rub a little harder. Break a toothpick in half and use the ragged ends to clear the treated area of all residue to see if the flux remains. If it does, use more pressure with the wire brush. You are okay as long as you can still see remnants of the trace and/ or pads being treated. Take a swig of the vodka and continue by darkening the next section. Proceed, repeating all of the above steps, section by section, until you have completed the entire board. Most people feel quite relaxed about the process after completing five or six sections, and just about everyone I know who has tried this is thoroughly satisfied when finished. I have still never figured out exactly what the Turkey baster is for, but perhaps it is simply a symbolic souvenir for those who don't simply leave the excess flux alone. best wishes, david belsley, w1euy ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
