solder

guest1632 · « **on:** 14 Jul 2007, 10:01 pm »

Hi all,

I had posted this question as an offtopic in the audio Centeral. Since there were 4 manufacturers online there, I felt the opportunity to ask the following question.

Other than Cardus solder, what solder brand etc. do you use when building your preamps, amps etc. I did say I would post this in the Lab. I now have a new soldering station with a shorter barrel. You can either email me:

raybronk@comcast.net

PM me or just answer the question here.

Thanks.

regards,
Ray Bronk

Poindexter · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jul 2007, 07:17 pm »

Ray,

Use the Cardas. Life is too short to worry about a nickel's worth of solder in your hundred hour piece. I use the non ROHS stuff, it's a dream to work with.

Aloha,

Poinz

aerius · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jul 2007, 07:47 pm »

Good old 63/37 eutectic solder from either Kester or Alpha Metals, I'm currently working through a large spool of Alpha Metals no-clean Bellcore solder, it'll probably last me the rest of my life. Not a fan of the various "audiophile solders" since I have no idea what the hell's in them, and they ain't telling. It might be good, but for all I know the grain structure & intermetallics are crap, the flux residues are corrosive & conductive, and the solder joints will fail within 2 years. I'll stick to the industry stuff where they give me all the spec sheets, papers and so forth so I know what to expect.

2wo · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 12:33 am »

The Cardas is nice. I am using the Kester 2% silver. Really nice to use and you don’t have to worry if you solder to a silver bearing component…John

David Ellis · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 12:53 am »

I use the Cardas solder too.

Yes, the stuff is more expensive, and I can't "prove" that it's better than Kester 44. Nonetheless, a pound of solder will last a couple years for even the most ambitious hobbyist. So, it's not really that much more expensive.

I suppose I use the Cardas for piece-of-mind.

Dave

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 02:42 am »

I have been using the WBT silver for years and find it one of the best to work with. I use a high quality lead-free solder for international order but will soon be switching over to the WBT lead-free silver solder. The WBT solder is not "cheap" either but we all have our favorites.
For repair or smaller jobs, solder is not audible but when building an entire hard-wired product, I truly feel solders do make a difference.

Quote

Nonetheless, a pound of solder will last a couple years for even the most ambitious hobbyist.

I am lucky to get 2 months out of a pound.

fajimr · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 07:18 pm »

i'll second the WBT... don't have as much experience as the others here but I have found it extremely easy to work with. for this relative newbie, I like it. Haven't tried the cardas- don't feel I need to.

jim

guest1632 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 07:42 pm »

Quote from: Poindexter on 18 Jul 2007, 07:17 pm

Ray,

Use the Cardas. Life is too short to worry about a nickel's worth of solder in your hundred hour piece. I use the non ROHS stuff, it's a dream to work with.

Aloha,

Poinz

Hi, is this the same stuff that Kevin Haskins sells, the Utectic silver solder?

Ray

David Ellis · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Jul 2007, 11:13 pm »

I am not sure who Ray Haskin's is, but... here is where I get my solder: http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/solder/cardas.htm

It looks like this:

It's quad eutectic from Cardas. If Ray's spool looks the same then it should be the right stuff.

Dave

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Jul 2007, 12:48 am »

Quote from: David Ellis on 19 Jul 2007, 12:53 am

I use the Cardas solder too.

Yes, the stuff is more expensive, and I can't "prove" that it's better than Kester 44. Nonetheless, a pound of solder will last a couple years for even the most ambitious hobbyist. So, it's not really that much more expensive.

I suppose I use the Cardas for piece-of-mind.

Dave

Its true that I, personally, don't go through a roll of cardas in a year, not even close. Plus it flows so nicely that it is much much easier to work with...one of the main reasons why I use it.

guest1632 · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Jul 2007, 02:36 am »

Quote from: David Ellis on 19 Jul 2007, 11:13 pm

I am not sure who Ray Haskin's is, but... here is where I get my solder: http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/solder/cardas.htm

It looks like this:

It's quad eutectic from Cardas. If Ray's spool looks the same then it should be the right stuff.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I was thinking of Kevin Haskins. not sure why I stuck my name in there. hmmm, anyway, thanks.

Ray

guest1632 · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Jul 2007, 02:44 am »

Quote from: JoshK on 20 Jul 2007, 12:48 am

Its true that I, personally, don't go through a roll of cardas in a year, not even close. Plus it flows so nicely that it is much much easier to work with...one of the main reasons why I use it.

Hi Josh,

If it's the Utectic silver stuff, I didn't find that to be true. It's the non-leaded stuff, and it doesn't flow that well at least for me. It's certainly not like the old Kesler standard stuff that I used to use all the time.

It's also possible, that I was not using it correctly too. I'll check out Dave's links.

Ray

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Jul 2007, 03:11 am »

it was and it did flow extremely well for me. is there a chance that your iron isn't hot like it should be?

guest1632 · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Jul 2007, 04:35 am »

Quote from: JoshK on 20 Jul 2007, 03:11 am

it was and it did flow extremely well for me. is there a chance that your iron isn't hot like it should be?

Hey Josh,

Is this solder the Silber stuff? It just seemed like it would almost just break off, I say almost.

Ray

morayjames · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Jul 2007, 07:10 pm »

Wonder solder ultra clear2 is excellent, sounds very good and is easy to work with great flux wets without trouble. I have not tried thier new lead free yet but knowing the company I bet it sounds good to. Am using Mundorff right now as my reference sounds fantastic but is harder to work with it likes some heat and the joints look almost cold but as I say it sounds excellent. The best I have listened to so far.

JoshK · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Jul 2007, 08:16 pm »

Mine says, "Quad Eutectic" and on the bottom is a warning that it contains lead. No mention of silver.

Mine looks just like the one Dave linked to.

guest1632 · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Jul 2007, 03:39 am »

Quote from: morayjames on 22 Jul 2007, 07:10 pm

Wonder solder ultra clear2 is excellent, sounds very good and is easy to work with great flux wets without trouble. I have not tried thier new lead free yet but knowing the company I bet it sounds good to. Am using Mundorff right now as my reference sounds fantastic but is harder to work with it likes some heat and the joints look almost cold but as I say it sounds excellent. The best I have listened to so far.

Hi Morayjames,

I've told the wonder solder doesn't have much lead in it. As far as the new stuff, it seems that the only way you can get the smaller stuff is from Parts Connection in Canada. For some reason, the company that sells it here in the States has only the thicker stuff.

I'm also on the lookout for the Kester SN95/5 solder. You have to buy that stuff in 5 roldes at a time. About a 130 bucks a pop. Where do you get the Mundorf solder at? Got any specs on it? Thanks.

Ray

The Mon

Steve · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Jul 2007, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 22 Jul 2007, 08:16 pm

Mine says, "Quad Eutectic" and on the bottom is a warning that it contains lead. No mention of silver.

Mine looks just like the one Dave linked to.

Hi Josh,

Yes, the quad does contain some silver.
Hope this helps.

Reverie · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 12:00 pm »

Quote from: Poindexter on 18 Jul 2007, 07:17 pm

Life is too short to worry about a nickel's worth of solder in your hundred hour piece.

Enough said.

guest1632 · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 09:01 pm »

Quote from: Reverie on 24 Jul 2007, 12:00 pm

Quote from: Poindexter on 18 Jul 2007, 07:17 pm
Life is too short to worry about a nickel's worth of solder in your hundred hour piece.

Enough said.

Well if that were true, we would only have one brand of solder, and one configuration of solder out there. But we don't. enough said.

Regards,
Ray

solder

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