Solder

[iansr]

I need to buy some more solder and I’m thinking 40% lead, 0.5mm with active flux. But I’d be very interested to hear from more frequent slingers what your favourite solder is for through hole work, including specific brand / spec - ?

[Neal]

RS 2% silver loaded solder 36/62 Tin Lead

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder/0551671

[Greg]

Plus one for Neal’s suggestion. I’ve using it for years. So easy to work with and although expensive initially, a real will probably last your lifetime.

[Ray P]

My favourite, very easy to work with and consistent, clean joins, Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7, 217°C

https://www.rapidonline.com/stannol-593 ... 0g-50-4035

[izzy wizzy]

I asked a similar question a while back. And after, selected that same solder Ray uses. Ever since, the tips on my Weller dissolve. I've been through about 6 or more in a couple of years and I'm not a heavy user.

Before with leaded solder, tips lasted years, maybe even a decade. I'm now considering going back to leaded as the tip issue is more expensive than a real of solder plus a real nuisance. A shame as I liked the solder and thought it would last me 10+ years, maybe more.

From what I read on the web, my issue is not isolated. Some tips just don't like lead free. Maybe it's older designed irons. My Weller is over 40 years old.

[iansr]

Thanks for the comments guys. I think I’ll go for the RS stuff.

[Thermionic Idler]

RS 2% silver loaded solder 36/62 Tin Lead

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder/0551671

Same - bought my first reels in 2003 and wouldn't use anything else.

[izzy wizzy]

That's the formula I think I'll be going back to.

[Ray P]

I asked a similar question a while back. And after, selected that same solder Ray uses. Ever since, the tips on my Weller dissolve. I've been through about 6 or more in a couple of years and I'm not a heavy user.

Before with leaded solder, tips lasted years, maybe even a decade. I'm now considering going back to leaded as the tip issue is more expensive than a real of solder plus a real nuisance. A shame as I liked the solder and thought it would last me 10+ years, maybe more.

From what I read on the web, my issue is not isolated. Some tips just don't like lead free. Maybe it's older designed irons. My Weller is over 40 years old.

That's interesting, not something I've encountered but I do plan to get a better soldering station some time this year so will look out for that issue.

[izzy wizzy]

It can't be a common thing. Maybe modern bits post lead free are designed for it. It's hard to get anything other than anecdotal information. The world is built using lead free solder now. Soldering stations aren't dissolving. I'm too attached to my 40 year soldering iron which was a 21st present. I used to think bits lasted what seemed forever. Makes your choices.

[ed]

I have the same experience as Stephen.

Since moving to lead-free I've lost many tips, on both my Antex and on my previous Weller.
I also have a suspicion that tip cleaner is not good for tips..I stopped using it after losing a couple of tips in close succession.