On 11/30/2010 9:33 PM, Smitty Two wrote:
In ,
Tony wrote:

On 11/30/2010 12:39 AM, Smitty Two wrote:
In ,
Tony wrote:

Well it's been 31 years soldering electronics for a living for me, and
sorry, I don't use, nor need liquid flux.

Soldering electronics for a living, or making a living that involves
some soldering? I've had the liquid flux debate a number of times over
on s.e.r., and I'll say it again he If you don't use liquid flux, you
don't know what you're missing. Or, you don't really solder all that
much, and time and quality aren't all that important.

Some things, some times, sure, the flux core is enough. Nevertheless, go
to *any* facility where hand soldering is done on a production basis,
and you'll find a flux bottle at every workstation. Those little bottles
aren't there to gather dust.

Well I'm open to trying something new (to me anyway). What brand and
where do you buy the liquid flux you use? Is it supposed to be washed
off like rosin?

I buy it from distributors in my area who sell to industry. Mostly EIS,
and Wassco. For hand soldering, Kester 1544 is a good formula. It's an
RMA flux (RMA standing for Rosin, Mildly Activated) It does not need to
be washed off, but can be cleaned off with isopropyl and a Q-tip if you
like. The dispenser bottles are little plastic squeeze type with a fine
gauge stainless needle.

I probably have a small brush in top bottle of liquid flux somewhere
that I used when repairing cold solder joints on circuit boards when
I did it for a living. Quite often no extra solder was needed, just
a smidgen of flux and touch from the soldering iron. The bit of solder
on the tip of the iron would usually take care of it. There are times
when I'm suspicious that the weight of a unsupported component is the
cause of the problem, a hot melt glue gun is also a useful thing to
have on the repair bench. I had guys in the repair depot think I was
nuts for slamming portable equipment down on to my workbench after
repairing it. I had to explain that the gear was going to get a lot
rougher treatment out in the field. :-)

TDD