60/40 solder. What brand

[norburybrook]

After a similar recommendation I purchased a roll of Kester solder for my first proper build..........it changed my soldering life in an instant. Lovely shiny joints everytime

so another big +1 for Kester.


M

[RockinRocket]

I'm really liking that Kester.

This stuff is a lot less toxic than that Radio Shack brand if breathed and the flux's smoke are easier on the eyes .

[Pierre]

What diameter solder is everyone using? I too started with some big fat radio shack solder. When I ran out I picked up some really thin .025 MG 63/37 solder thinking it would be more precise. A few years later, I'm not so sure.

[M Fowler]

Kester .31 is my favorite but I am using .44 right now but feels too thick but it covers the eyelets nicely.

Mark

[Pierre]

Cool! Thanks Mark, I'll give that a try.

[Mr. dB]

I have also used Radio Shack solder and it was good too.

Mike

You must mean the earlier stuff from RS? ...or maybe the batch I got was bad. I got a bunch of rolls from a closing store in Myrtle Beach for dirt cheap, It always cures very dull and dirty looking.

I threw it in the junk drawer and use MG Chem Sn63/Pb37 with great results.

The flux in Radio Shack solder was junk, useless.

Kester and Ersin Multicore have flux that works.

[didit]

Kester .31 is my favorite but I am using .44 right now but feels too thick but it covers the eyelets nicely.

Fold a few inches of .31 up once or twice and larger gaps fill nicely.

Best ..Ian

[Aurora]

Kester, Multicore, Stannol - any classic brand will do. 60/40 or 63/37 doesn't really matter in practice. Even if there is an environmental question involved, I'd stay away form the modern lead free solders for hand soldering. ( I've been doing this for a living for 40yrs++ )
Just make sure you have n iron with enough capacity and correct tips. Those puny little 30Ws are not up to soldering larger contact, switches etc etc

[dorrisant]

Just swapped to a fresh roll last week... This is what I use and how it's mounted. 20ga shotgun she'll for the lip to secure the spool, a 7/16 deep well socket to support inside the shotgun shell, a 10-24 bolt and tee nut to mount to the bench. Spool turns freely with just the right amount of drag. Simple, yet effective. I've been using this for years now.