rawnster wrote:I just received lb. of Cardas Quad eutectic solder. Interesting stuff. I'm not sure about it yet. I'm using it on a new build, and doesn't seem to flow smoothly. That is, it's liquidity or melting characteristic doesn't want to fan out as freely as I expected. Yes, the joints are cleaned before soldering.
Anyway, just thought I'd share.
You did get the quad and not the tri eutectic? Anyway, It has a narrow melting and solidification temp range. like 1 or 2 degrees. That could be what your sensing. Might need to adjust (raise) your temp for a little longer flowout if that is what you need.
I like the fact that it solidifies so fast, I don't get so many bad joints from wiggling the leads while it cools. I know a solder connection is not glue, but sometimes I do hold a connection together by hand while soldering.
I needed some super fine-pitch (0.020) RoHS no-lead RA solder in a hurry the other day, and since I was placing a Digikey order for everything else and needed one-day shippng, I ended up having to pay a whopping $105 for a pound of the stuff. Sheesh!
rawnster wrote:I just received lb. of Cardas Quad eutectic solder. Interesting stuff. I'm not sure about it yet. I'm using it on a new build, and doesn't seem to flow smoothly. That is, it's liquidity or melting characteristic doesn't want to fan out as freely as I expected. Yes, the joints are cleaned before soldering.
Anyway, just thought I'd share.
I've been using the Quad exclusively for about 18 months and I absolutely love it. I find that it flows like melted butter. It has a low melting point at only 338 degrees, so I only use a 15W micro iron for board level stuff. It's only like .030 in dia., so if you want more flow out you need to feed it more solder.
Here's something that I did encounter though. I relocated my workbench early in the year almost directly under an AC vent. I started to notice a pattern when the AC was running, the joints werent quite as shiny and seemed to cool too quickly. I closed that vent and that rectified the issue.
If anyone needs some good solder cheap let me know. i picked up a hundred or so lbs. a year ago. I have some Ersin Multicore high grade solder Sn60 .064". I'll sell it for $10 a roll plus shipping.
Sorry for the spam but it just seemed that someone needed some solder.
I like the Cardas Quad solder. I use it, you're right. In some cases it takes a little more time on the iron to make it spread, no idea why, but it will if you give it a little more time than 63/37 eutectic.
I see some posts about iron temperature. I have been using 650 deg F. If I go to 700 will that improve things? Kind of sounds like it.
Last edited by David Root on Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Alexo wrote:Doesn't Rohs only apply in Europe and on computer displays in California?
Or for manufacturers wanting to sell to EU countries...
And don't worry, our bureaucrats are frothing at the mouth to inflict similar restrictions on us very soon. In fact, the EPA just tried to ban lead in bullets and fishing sinkers a few days ago, but they got shouted down by the NRA, at least on bullets - they are still trying to push through the lead sinker ban by November 1. I'm sure leaded solder will soon follow...
I hope I'm not intruding on the discussion but I wanted to throw HMC Electronics' hat into the ring on where to get soldering products.
We sell everything you need to get set up with soldering. We are full Kester Hakko and Weller distributors and we sell many other major brands as well.
I hope I'm not intruding on the discussion but I wanted to throw HMC Electronics' hat into the ring on where to get soldering products.
We sell everything you need to get set up with soldering. We are full Kester Hakko and Weller distributors and we sell many other major brands as well.
This looks like one time I actually appreciate spam - your price on the Kester 24-7068-1401 is a whopping $43.15 cheaper per pound than Digikey! I have you bookmarked for my next solder purchase.
I hope I'm not intruding on the discussion but I wanted to throw HMC Electronics' hat into the ring on where to get soldering products.
We sell everything you need to get set up with soldering. We are full Kester Hakko and Weller distributors and we sell many other major brands as well.
This looks like one time I actually appreciate spam - your price on the Kester 24-7068-1401 is a whopping $43.15 cheaper per pound than Digikey! I have you bookmarked for my next solder purchase.
Thanks!
RA
Fantastic! Thanks! I didn't mean to spam you guys but I wanted to let you know about us since you were looking for places to buy.
I'm pretty sure I found you guys through Google one time and ordered a few iron tips. You guys not only had the best prices but I got the tips in like a day or two after I placed the order.. Fantastic!
