Where to buy solder?

[SteveNielsen]

For example, all the stuff at Amazon I found ships from China. I've been through that once, I never got the solder from China. Supposedly "lost" in customs. Ok, I can learn from that. So, where do you guys like to buy solder at?

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Ebay or local electronics store.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Where to buy solder?

There is no longer an electronics store around here. I'm suspicious of ebay but am now becoming suspicious of Amazon.

I could order a roll from Kester for $20+.

There's got to be a better route to go.

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Ahh right why are you suspicous ?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I am suspicious because I have been stolen from as a result of online purchases. However I don't think I am quite as vulnerable now because I use a prepaid debit card that has no connection to my main bank account and has no more money than I intend to spend using it. I suppose I shouldn't worry but I do anyway.

[mariushm]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Buy from Digikey, Mouser or Farnell (Newark.com in US)

Digikey: http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...solder/1310838

Newark : http://www.newark.com/solder-wire

Mouser : http://www2.mouser.com/Tools-Supplie...der/_/N-b11qq/

my recommendation from what i think is best to less best... multicore / kester / stannol/ mg chemicals/edsyn or if you're really cheap multicomp which is farnell's internal brand, it's often rebranded multicore or kester solder but must be careful, just compare datasheet layout with original multicore or kester datasheets. Maybe also alpha metals / aim but i have no experience with these brands as they're mostly us.

63/37 or if you have money 63/36/2 which would have minimal benefits over 63/37, then 60/40 for plain bland generic good solder. No-Clean with 2-2.2% flux or more, but if there's no choice then RMA (rosin mildly activated) would also work, then RA (rosin activated). No-Clean and RMA in the large majority of cases don't require cleaning of the flux, RA is stronger than rma but may require cleaning the flux with isopropyl alcohol after soldering (more work for you). Stay away from solder with water soluble flux, the flux must be cleaned and it's harder than the title indicates, it's misleading.

For diameter, if you have money go with 2 sizes, one about 0.7mm or thicker to feed lots of solder fast when you need to solder something thick, one 0.5 mm or smaller for small soldering jobs. If you're cheap, go with the thinner diameter, you can always bend the solder in two and twist the wires for thicker diameter.

I personally use a 0.56mm no-clean multicore 63/37 with 2.2% flux (if I remember correctly).

If you still have money, also buy a flux pen or bottle, adding a drop of flux before desoldering or resoldering something helps big time, even if the solder has flux included in it. See http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...emover/1311241 or http://www.newark.com/solder-flux or http://www2.mouser.com/Tools-Supplie...lux/_/N-b11wf/ with the same mention, stay away from water soluble flux, match it with your solder wire flux choice

[stj]

Re: Where to buy solder?

dont waste money on a flux pen, the ends get messed up and they hold almost nothing.
you can get an industrial 500ml bottle of flux for less than a stupid pen.

[mariushm]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I bought a 100ml bottle for about 3$ from a local electronics shop. It's made in Poland by a company with decent local reputation.

Flux pens are expensive for the quantity of flux they hold but if you only solder occasionally they good enough (as for ends getting messed up, as long as you store them as recommended, they'll be fine).

The stores I mentioned above sell large containers but at steep prices, mostly because flux is considered dangerous to ship by air (it's flammable due to the isopropyl alcohol and other flammable chemicals inside it) so they're shipping them by rail or cars (in theory).

Best deal would be to buy from local stores but you still have to be careful about brand and type of flux before buying. The quality can vary by huge amount between manufacturers.

Desoldering braids for example are perfect examples for this... the flux the copper mesh is soaked in makes or breaks a desoldering braid. Use a good quality braid once and you'll want to throw away all the other braids you have.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I've got enough solder to last me a lifetime I think (a bit less than a pound left now I think, ordered online probably from mcm or parts express or something), but if I had to go local, these stores probably have solder... may not be good solder but it will work...

Home Depot
Ace Hardware
Lowe's
Radio Shack
Harbor Freight Tools (oh no... shipped from China...)

[stj]

Re: Where to buy solder?

The stores I mentioned above sell large containers but at steep prices, mostly because flux is considered dangerous to ship by air (it's flammable due to the isopropyl alcohol and other flammable chemicals inside it) so they're shipping them by rail or cars (in theory).

that's why i'm using this.
http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equ...-500ml-85-6650


of course, if your oldschool and just want a bucket of rosin desolved in IPA they have this.
http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equ...-500ml-85-6646

[clearchris]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I got some kingbo flux off ebay (china or hk shipped) and it works great. I always clean off flux, usually with brake cleaner.

I ordered some solder off fasttech.com recently, if it arrives, Ill tell you if its any good. Also ordered a solder dispenser, hollow needles and some other soldering goodies. All in it was 20 something dollars.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Thanks for the replies. I think we've got a Lowe's around here now (I hardly get out). I'm ok for flux, I made my own liquid flux out of rosin and IPA and probably won't ever run out. I put it in a dropper bottle but it is slowly eating away at the rubber of the dropper. I'll figure a different container for it.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I'm shocked you went for the Lowe's/Home Depot/Ace Hardware route (they're hardware stores, so they sell general purpose solders, but mostly for copper pipe!) and not Radio Shack. Just make sure you get the "Rosin Core" or "Electrical" solder. Unfortunately they likely will sell you pretty thick solder, like 0.062", and you'll probably not be doing IC work with it unless you're real careful, and likely the rosin in it is pretty crappy. It's also the lead free junk, so expect a bit more heat needed.

It's a pity pretty much all the local electronics shops around here have pretty much dried up. Other options include Fry's (looks like it's over an hour away from Newport, your closest one is near Portland?).

I recall I may have ordered solder from Jameco Electronics which I think is quite reliable. They've been a mail order shop for many years (I've ordered from them many times) and their warehouse is in Belmont, California (I've visited their storefront once or twice too, alas, they will fill your order while you wait). You can get lead solder from them.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Radio Shack no longer exists here. I haven't gone to anywhere yet, but thanks for the advice. I'll look at Jameco.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Looks like Jameco has switched over to 1-lb rolls of solder... I ordered 1/4 kg and 1/2 lb (by mistake, this was the 0.062" solder) rolls before and each roll is more than I could ever use.

Please research the different rosins (and solder formulations if needed) before ordering a big roll you'll hate I kept the 0.062 misorder because it actually had really good rosin in it as well as being eutectic, and I figure I'll have solder lugs to solder in the future anyway.

BTW I think:
0.5" - for solder pots
0.125" - For copper pipes
0.062" - for solder lugs
0.031" - for through hole PCBs/ICs
0.015" - for SMT repair...

[stj]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Looks like Jameco has switched over to 1-lb rolls of solder... I ordered 1/4 kg and 1/2 lb (by mistake, this was the 0.062" solder) rolls before and each roll is more than I could ever use.

seriously?
i burn through a 250g roll of 0.7mm Sn99.3/Cu0.7 in under a year - and the quality stuff i use isnt cheap.
about $45

[eccerr0r]

Re: Where to buy solder?

I don't have THAT many projects that need the solder... It's a hobby, not a profession =\

[budm]

Re: Where to buy solder?

http://www.all-spec.com/products/KW4415.html

http://www.all-spec.com/products/KW4410.html

[momaka]

Re: Where to buy solder?

Ok, I can learn from that. So, where do you guys like to buy solder at?

Well, since Radio Shack is closed now, there aren't many local stores to get (electronics) soldering supplies. That said, I am lucky since there is a Micro Center very near me. They carry all types of solders. I haven't bought any from them, though, since I still have a huge spool of lead-free plumbing solder and a jar of Kingbo paste flux. I use that stuff for almost everything that doesn't require leaded solder.

My friend, however, swears by solder bought from China. He gets big 1 pound spools of leaded solder for very cheap. Not sure if it is from Alibaba or where exactly.

I am suspicious because I have been stolen from as a result of online purchases.

Try eBay, then. It has has gotten pretty good in the last several years - at least for the buyer. Easy to get a full refund if your product never shows and seller doesn't care.

I always clean off flux, usually with brake cleaner.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea. Chlorinated chemicals aren't generally recommended for electronics.
I use IPA only, preferably 90% or higher.

i burn through a 250g roll of 0.7mm Sn99.3/Cu0.7 in under a year

Perhaps because all of those repairs you do with the lead-free solder break again and you have to redo them constantly?

[stj]

Re: Where to buy solder?

no, because i use it in conjunction with a temperature controlled iron.