Hi all, Over the last couple of years I have been learning how to mod consoles (50Hz/60Hz, Jpn/Eng switches, RGB mods, etc) and so far I have been using "RadioShack Standard 60/40 Rosin Core Solder" which I bought from eBay, and it seems to work well enough. However recently I have been reading up about different types of solder and flux, and have learnt that 63/37 is a better mix as it is 'eutectic' and melts at a defined point, meaning there is less chance of cold joints, and it also flows better. I have decided I would like to try some 63/37, with a 0.025" or 0.031" diameter if possible. However, I am having trouble deciding which type of flux and what percentage would be best for console mods? There seems to be so many different types (RA, RMA, No-Clean etc) I am leaning towards getting some 'No-Clean' as I dont fancy having to clean off the flux residue from a console motherboard. However I have also read that No-Clean fluxes arent very good and smell bad/are more toxic? I dont seem to be able to find 63/37 with a standard Rosin core flux (not 'Activated') I am also having trouble deciding what percentage of flux would be best, the common percentages seem to be 1.1%, 2.2% and 3.3%, I am leaning towards 2.2% being the best choice, as some connections on older console are quite tarnished. Another problem is finding 63/37 solder in the UK. Apparently the most well known brand of solder is 'Kester', but this seems to be really hard to find in the UK, and expensive when I can find it. Forum threads I have read from the USA say it costs around $10-$15 for a 1lb spool, but in the UK the same Kester spool seems to cost around £20-£30 ($31-$47) or more, which I feel is a bit too much. Any help or advice would be much appreciated :thumbsup: <EDIT> Just one more question, would 63/37 solder mix ok with the old solder used in games consoles? (Which I guess is probably 60/40?)
The solder I use is a 60/40 tin lead mix its 22swg thick and its from a company called "Rapid"(order code 85-0595)......price wise I don't know cos my brother aquired it from work lol
It's just solder.. XD 3 parts difference isn't going to be noticeable. I'd just buy some solder paste off Dealextreme along with syringes and a cleaner. If you do get solder wire, go for low rosin, and use additional non-rosin flux which is much better for cleanup. Mixing two decent solders doesn't do much, introducing impurities from a crappy solder can lose that desirable sheen.
I always go for the Antex solder from Maplins, it has a small diameter which helps when soldering surface mount components, and it doesn't leave a mess behind. On a side note, beware of Maplin's desolder braid - it's shit. I had to soak it in flux, otherwise it doesn't work. They used to sell small rolls of Servisol braid which was really good, but they replaced it with cheap crap.
I think 3 parts isn't going to make much of a difference. I personally think if you arent soldering for hours of a day everyday and just do it occasionally anything with Lead is good enough. Strong hard wearing stuff.
The solder is not as important as your soldering iron or even more so your soldering skills ;-) Cold joints are mostly the result of a poor soldering job if you are working with leaded solder. I buy solder from Stannol: http://www.stannol.de/Englisch/index.htm and I use a JBC iron: http://www.jbctools.com/ I used to have a Weller, but I personnaly like JBC better. EDIT: I sometimes even use 50/50 and it works just as well.
Agreed - 60/40 has worked on everything for me just fine. Weller solder station has been a champ too. No issues on anything ive worked on. Cold joints are usually due to not creating a steady complete solid flow. Most PCBS are wave machined - dipped. You arent going to cause any issues unless you get sloppy and maybe burn a trace...
