Soldering question:

admin

Hey there, I am just wondering if anyone knows a little about Soldering. I bought a Weller 8200 (140w/ 100w) soldering kit. It worked great until I ran out of the free sample solder that came with the gun.What is the best solder to use for this gun?The sample that came with the gun was a Lead Free solder. I've tried two other types of solder but it didn't have the same effect. It doesn't seem to solder to my speaker wires which is made of Copper, is that the reason? Solder doesn't adhere to copper wires??
Reply:The old solders which were used (satisfactorily, I'd say) for decades were lead/tin mixtures. 60/40 (which is 60% tin, 40% lead) is a fairly low-melting-point, commonly used alloy (63/37 is the Eutectic point) which has  good properties for use with wire. For that purpose, it often has a rosin core. You usually need a flux to reduce any copper oxides present, and zinc chloride and similar fluxes can leave residues which will gradually corrode the wire, but rosin won't. Clear sap from pine trees will work well in a pinch.If you need more info., Google "solder for electrical work" or something similar.BTW, I have an 8200 which is decades old (still has the price sticker for < $5 ) and it still works fine with standard lead-based solders. I use it more for unsoldering, but that's another story.
Reply:You need 60/40. 60% tin, 40% lead, with a rosin core, give that try.http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+SearchCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Tanglediver, Looks as if we were reading each others mind, but I hit "submit" seconds before you! Thanks for backing me up!
Reply:Clean, preheat, flux, tin, solder.Heat concentrates at points.Wipe the hot tip with a wet rag to get a clean tin on the tip also.Good Luck
Reply:The thinnest solder radio shack has in a 60/40 rosin core will work best for ya.  Sometimes all they have on hand is the thick stuff so they might have to order it.  I got a roll I could snag the part # off of if you want it.
Reply:No you need lead. 60Tin 40 Lead maybe some silver rosin core,Oldiron said it "sap in a pinch", your radio shack should sell a bottle of rosin, it is amber in color(Made by GE industrial), coat your parts with this before soldering, and if you use desoldering braid to remove your mistakes soak the desoldering braid in it and it will suck up the old solder like a sponge.Vital to good performance when soldering..You want about 475deg fast count to 3 for small and surface comp. Desoldering a count to five no more or you will pull the trace circuit off the board.
Reply:Ok, that's it! I'm gonna go get my roll.
Reply:This is the stuff 60% tin, 40% lead, .032 dia. I started using it when I worked as an installer at a stereo shop.No need for flux, the rosin will do the cleaning.  It may take about two inches of solder per connection of 14ga wire.  I like to feed it till it drips.http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062715If the wires are new and shiny, here is the process.#1 cross wires. the twist around each other so they are in line.  NOT the twist tie method.#2 get soldering iron hot#3 touch solder to iron to tin it#4 touch iron to wire to pre-heat it#5 touch solder to wire until it starts to wick into it#6 feed solder into wire until all copper is covered by solder or until it gets full and drips once.That's it.  When done properly, the joint will be perfectly smooth and completely soldered.  The solder will even wick back under the insulation a ways without melting it.Next is to shrink tube it or use good quality tape.  I like 3M super 33 or super 88.Last edited by Boostinjdm; 07-02-2009 at 02:18 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoon. . .Oldiron2 said it "sap in a pinch". . .
Reply:Nice test Denrep..totally enjoyed it.Anyone that thinks they don't need flux is just trying to teach the wrong thing.Try it?Boostinjdm next time you install a new battery clamp to your vehicle or welding connector, you'll never go back to plain rosin core, the finish is just so professional.My training came from a tough college instructor at Nait; Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.I would never go near a PCB board without it.One of those difference between a pro and novice.And the same process can be used to tin any body solder work you may require. After going through the link I will consider making my own.
Reply:One thing thats not been explained well is that there is a difference between Electrical and Plumbing solder. Besides the fact that plumbing solder seldom has any lead now days, it also does not have any "flux" incorperated in it.Electrical solder is usually "rosin core" where the "flux" is inside the solder "tube". I don't know how many times I have guys tell me they can't get wires to solder.  I then find out they went to Lowes or Depo and asked for "solder" and ended up in the plumbing section!As said, if you want to solder wires, go to RadioShack or an electronics place to get electrical solder.
Reply:DSW, like welding, soldering requires good technique and the correct supplies for the job at hand. First, common solder is an alloy of lead and tin, the greater the tin content the lower the melting point. The more tin in the mix the shiner the solder. For electronic work, heat is the enemy of solid-state devices. The goal is to solder the connection quickly, with the lowest temperature, without a cold joint. Easer said then done.The job of the flux is to clean the work joint of oxides and shield at the same time. Flux is in two classes, acid and rosin. The acid fluxes are for more general work and hard to solder mettles like stainless steel. Hydrochloric acid [muriatic acid] is an excellent flux; its metal salts evaporate at low temperatures. However acid flux is not suitable for electronic work, A] because the temperatures needed to burn-off the acid flux would destroy the device. B] Not burning off the acid flux causes the moisture in the air to rot out the joint. On the other hand, rosin flux is more suitable for this application.For plumbing acid flux, yes, rosin, no. At the higher temperatures sweat soldering, the rosin flux is easily overheated and breaks down causing a crappy joint.Sounds just like welding.BTW, in a pinch I’ve used vinegar for flux.BTW-2, you can use vinegar to immediately stop the pain from hornet, wasp and yellow jacket stings.Last edited by transit; 07-03-2009 at 11:23 AM.
Reply:Here is what we use for soldering stained glass..We work with either copper foil or lead channel and this stuff sticks like krazy to either.This is solid core solder..Flux is liquid.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Plumbing, Glass, PCB boards?  The original poster was asking about speaker wires...
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoonBoostinjdm next time you install a new battery clamp to your vehicle or welding connector, you'll never go back to plain rosin core, the finish is just so professional.
Reply:Originally Posted by transit. . .BTW, in a pinch I’ve used vinegar for flux. . .
Reply:DSW side tracked the original post in # 12 asking about the differences.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepHave to give that a try. Zap - Ever try a sal ammoniac tinning block?Attachment 35354It's a brick that you rub the iron's tip on, works good.One of these days, I'll bring us up to speed on the stained glass operation - That YOU started!  Good Luck
Reply:Originally Posted by transitDSW side tracked the original post in # 12 asking about the differences.
Reply:WOW. You guys are crazy with info!!That is why I love WeldingWeb and the amount of knowledge on here is extraordinary.Thank you guys!! Much appreciated. I googled a lot before I ask questions but it's best to hear it from the pros first. =)Time to hit up RadioRippoffshack or Homedepot. later!