Building the Dumble Amp?

[heisthl]

Heisthl that is amazing, you'd think this shouldn't have happened as conductivity is a quality you don't want.

I assume you did clean the flux off the board, though you did say it soaked into the board, do you still use garolite or did you move on to something that isn't porous?

Yes the boards were well cleaned, it was as if the sides of a wet eyelet would seep into the surrounding garolite. We still use garolite but not liquid flux. I guess it really isn't that mystifying, the rosin inside electrical solder will conduct if you let it bridge between 2 eyelets.

[Mark]

http://www.kester.com/LinkClick.aspx?fi ... &tabid=144

http://www.kester.com/SideMenu/Products ... fault.aspx

This may not be the right product, but I would talk to Kester about your experiences should you think flux could be helpful.

As stated in this link;

The minimal amount of residue remaining after soldering is non-conductive and non-corrosive.

I've used flux in the past and had no problems, granted it wasn't with garolite. I largely use Kester stuff as it is good and the company are good with inquiries.

Hope this helps.

[ToneMerc]

I have a bottle here of MG Chemicals Rosin Flux.

I don't believe I used it much if at all in my amp.

Tom, that's the same flux that I started to use a few Dumble builds ago. It's claimed that it's residue is non-corrosive, non-conductive, moisture and fungus resistant. The only time I use it is when soldering the coax briad on the pot backs, I wet the braid of the coax prior to wetting it with solder.

TM

[talbany]

Henry
I hope you are well!!...As a curiosity how did the conductive amps sound when they left?..Thanks

Many moons ago we did a Bassman conversion on one of my personal amps..It was a kind of prototype of something we were experimenting around with, we were still in the basement and were using this porous type I believe an old brown fiberglass style board that we had laying around and apparently sat in the moisture of the basement too long and became rather conductive..Not knowing it at the time I played the amp out for several weeks ..The interesting thing was the amp sounded KILLER!! I absolutely loved it.. After we found the board to be conductive we rebuilt it with EXACTLY!! the same parts on a different G 10 board..The amp sounded completely different and nowhere near the same and for me nowhere near as good..Strange huh!..Not trying to imply anything or speculate as to what went on or to say conductive boards sound better ..none the less certainly interesting to note..
I could only imagine the frustration of something like that happening and sorry to hear about your bad luck..

Tony

[heisthl]

Henry
I hope you are well!!...As a curiosity how did the conductive amps sound when they left?..Thanks

Tony

Did not notice any particular magic until a couple of weeks later when the crackling noises started.

[Structo]

I have a bottle here of MG Chemicals Rosin Flux.

I don't believe I used it much if at all in my amp.

Tom, that's the same flux that I started to use a few Dumble builds ago. It's claimed that it's residue is non-corrosive, non-conductive, moisture and fungus resistant. The only time I use it is when soldering the coax briad on the pot backs, I wet the braid of the coax prior to wetting it with solder.

TM

Yeah, it seems to work well when you have a tough joint to do or you want a quick flow out.

Something I did notice is that I was using a little jeweler's screw driver the other day and got some flux on the shaft.
I picked it up today and it was rusty where the flux had been on it.

So I would guess that it can be corrosive depending what you get it on.
It seems to me that in order to clean the metal for a solder joint that it would have a certain degree of corrosive properties.

[Mark]

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/835.html

Is this the stuff?

I'd give them some feedback regarding your experience with their product. Perhaps they have something that is better?

[M Fowler]

This reminds me of that batch of double turrets many of us were having difficulty getting to take solder.

If we had cleaned those turrets and used this flux what would have happened to that turret board with conductivity!

I might just have to start using the local sewing centers brass eyelets on all my boards.


Mark

[ToneMerc]

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/835.html

Is this the stuff?

I'd give them some feedback regarding your experience with their product. Perhaps they have something that is better?

Guys, let's not jump to conclusions that there's anything wrong with using this brand of flux in the context of it's intended application. How about comparing apples to apples? Unless things have changed even tap water or acidic sweat in an "free air" environment on a tool can produce the same results.

Contacting the company to say; yes I noticed where where I applied some of your flux on a jewelers screwdriver (higher carbon content steel) there's now some rust, surely isn't providing any relevent feedback in relationship to using the product in it's intended application.

FYI, it is a NASA approved liquid solder flux.

TM

[Structo]

I agree.
That screw driver is the only thing I have noticed that was affected by the flux.
It might have been rusty before but it wiped off with my finger so that is why I thought it possibly was caused by the flux.

It is the MG Chemicals #835 Rosin Flux.

I will continue to use it but I use it sparingly, that is only when having trouble with a solder joint.

[husky]

no idea on brand - after the conduction discovery, the bottle went into the trash (somewhat violently!). Rosin conducts.

I have had this problem when using "Flux-Off" especially with micro controllers and surface mount parts. I later found out it is a known issue with many of the flux cleaners. We switched to the recommended anhydrous alcohol to clean the boards and all problems went away. We have to soak them in the bath for 10 minutes and then all flux brushes off easily with an acid brush and they look great.