Re: [Elecraft] Radio Shack Solder ??
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 I used Kester #44 .020 diameter for my K2. I only use RS solder on Pl-259's. Get to the Elecraft site and have a look at the recommended solder stations. I bought the Hakko 936 when I started the K2. I think a soldering station should be looked at as an investment, like any other piece of test equipment or tool. You get what you pay for, usually. Rob Lundahl wrote: Are any of the Radio Shack solder types acceptable for a KX1 build? Also any opinions on their digital solder station 64-009? Thanks in advance. - -- R. Kevin Stover, ACØH -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGWZbF11jxjloa2wsRAg8UAKCyRLqGiZfrCWgK5aV8HT7qBKaepACgyRxU aJ7wIo6ZVj+TpqGe2RRRwnU= =VqRf -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
Some builders prefer other alloys that contain silver, etc. Be aware that they do not all have the same melting temperatures. This could lead to frustration, damaged boards/components, or also a better solder job. Just check the characteristics - all are published on company web sites - before you begin. I've been building with solder since I was 7 years old ( My dad bought me a one tube radio kit ). I used my wood burning kit (Weller) with a filed down copper tip. The only solder I could find was in the garage where I helped dad repair the radiator on our 37 Ford (90hp). It was made by a company called ACIDCORE and it was about the diameter of my school pencils. The radio worked great and I had it until I found out I could hook it up to the phonograph and play music through it on the kitchen radio. It was OK until I started getting request from the neighbors for records I didn't have. A neighbor friend dropped in, his name was K6MJX, a funny name I thought, he told me I might like to hear about another way to use my talents. The rest is history!! Thanks Dick, may you rest in peace. 73 de WA6VNN, Al ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
The 63/37 is what is called eutectic solder because it has a very sharp melting temp dip at the eutectic temperature of tin/lead alloy. It can be difficult to solder with because it has almost no pasty state going almost directly from liquid to solid. Its primary use is for rapid soldering processes that are usually automatic. It also has one other use, because it is the lowest melting temperature tin/lead alloy, it can be used in special applications called two stage soldering. It this process an initial soldering of a component is done usings, say 60/40 or maybe 50/50 which has a higher melting point, and can then have additional soldering done with the 63/37 without causing it all to come apart. Obviously this type process would require extreme control of soldering tools. Al, WA6VNN ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
Rob, The solder available at Radio Shack is of a larger diameter than I like to use. While the solder is OK, the large diameter means that once it melts, you already have too much solder on the connection. I recommend a solder diameter of 0.020 inches or smaller (I personally use 0.015 for thru hole work and 0.010 for SMD work). For construction of the KX1 or other densely packaged kits, I highly recommend a small diameter solder so you can easily control the amount fed to the connection. While there is nothing wrong with the standard 60/40 alloy, you will find the eutectic 63/37 alloy a bit better since it has no plastic state and cold solder joints are practically non-existent when it is used. As for flux, most any kind of mildly-activated rosin core flux will do fine. Mouser carries Kester solder and I like the Kester 285 for all-around electronics use. Look at Mouser PN 533-24-6337-6422 .015 dia. or 533-24-6337-6401 .020 dia. Stay away from the water soluble flux (corrosive unless removed by industrial methods) and the lead free solders - lead free solders require a higher melting temperature and are extremely difficult to remove if component removal becomes necessary. I have not used the RS soldering station, so I cannot comment. 73, Don W3FPR Rob Lundahl wrote: Are any of the Radio Shack solder types acceptable for a KX1 build? Also any opinions on their digital solder station 64-009? Thanks in advance. ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
Radio Shack has some very nice 2% silver 33%/65% 0.015 solder on 1.5 ounce rolls. I picked a couple of rolls up on a close out and it's very nice stuff to use. Jack Don Wilhelm wrote: Rob, The solder available at Radio Shack is of a larger diameter than I like to use. While the solder is OK, the large diameter means that once it melts, you already have too much solder on the connection. I recommend a solder diameter of 0.020 inches or smaller (I personally use 0.015 for thru hole work and 0.010 for SMD work). For construction of the KX1 or other densely packaged kits, I highly recommend a small diameter solder so you can easily control the amount fed to the connection. While there is nothing wrong with the standard 60/40 alloy, you will find the eutectic 63/37 alloy a bit better since it has no plastic state and cold solder joints are practically non-existent when it is used. As for flux, most any kind of mildly-activated rosin core flux will do fine. Mouser carries Kester solder and I like the Kester 285 for all-around electronics use. Look at Mouser PN 533-24-6337-6422 .015 dia. or 533-24-6337-6401 .020 dia. Stay away from the water soluble flux (corrosive unless removed by industrial methods) and the lead free solders - lead free solders require a higher melting temperature and are extremely difficult to remove if component removal becomes necessary. I have not used the RS soldering station, so I cannot comment. 73, Don W3FPR Rob Lundahl wrote: Are any of the Radio Shack solder types acceptable for a KX1 build? Also any opinions on their digital solder station 64-009? Thanks in advance. ___ 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 ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
Jack, Thanks for that info, sounds like good solder - I was looking on their website and only saw the large diameter stuff listed even in the 2% silver alloy. Hurry to get some before it is gone - that is what close-out means, they do not intend to carry it forever. 73, Don W3FPR Jack Smith wrote: Radio Shack has some very nice 2% silver 33%/65% 0.015 solder on 1.5 ounce rolls. I picked a couple of rolls up on a close out and it's very nice stuff to use. ___ 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] Radio Shack Solder ??
Went to the basement and retrieved the empty spool (never throw things like that out - always good for odds and ends of wire). It's 62/36/2, with the 2% being silver. Radio Shack part number 64-035, and it's still shown in the on-line catalog at $3.99 for a 1 oz spool. 1 oz of solder lasts a long time. I do a fair bit of building and that's 6 months worth or more for me. There is also a larger diameter 62/36/2, think it is 0.022 PN 64-013, on a 1.5 oz spool. There's probably a better source for 62/36/2 solder than RS, but it's decent stuff, unlike a lot of the things one finds there. Jack Don Wilhelm wrote: Jack, Thanks for that info, sounds like good solder - I was looking on their website and only saw the large diameter stuff listed even in the 2% silver alloy. Hurry to get some before it is gone - that is what close-out means, they do not intend to carry it forever. 73, Don W3FPR Jack Smith wrote: Radio Shack has some very nice 2% silver 33%/65% 0.015 solder on 1.5 ounce rolls. I picked a couple of rolls up on a close out and it's very nice stuff to use. ___ 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 ___ 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
