Solder Paste

[GALILEO1]

Hi all,

Well, after seing some of the great work most of you do here with soldering and after reviewing a couple of Sergio's (from Poland) incredible build articles I went ahead and got me a micro torch and some solder paste. I've never used solder paste so I was wondering if, for those of you who have, there's anything I should do, not do, watch ou for, etc. I wanted to try something different than regular solder wire as the whole process always ends up a bit messy for me. From what I read here using solder paste seems to provide more control.

Anyway, any info on using this stuff will be appreciated,

Rob

[greybeard]

Use a toothpick and apply it sparingly to the joints. It work like flux, cleaning surfaces when heated, and provides an avenue for molten solder to flow. Use it sparingly.

Scott Fraser

[GALILEO1]

Use a toothpick and apply it sparingly to the joints. It work like flux, cleaning surfaces when heated, and provides an avenue for molten solder to flow. Use it sparingly.

Scott Fraser

Great, thanks much Scott! Will definitely try this!

Rob

[sharkmouth]

Hi Rob,

I hope you got a brass bristle brush for clean up as well. Last, a de-soldering wick (braided brass wire) is also a nice tool for 'mistakes' (this I bought in Radio Shack but Micro-Mark has it as well).

I bought several syringes (one each of the different soldering pastes) from All Dav:
http://www.alldav.com/

I see he no longer has the syringes (this may be temporary) but he does have fabulous prices. I kept the syringe and am about to order the tub to refill the syringe myself.

Regards,

[GALILEO1]

Hi Rob,

I hope you got a brass bristle brush for clean up as well. Last, a de-soldering wick (braided brass wire) is also a nice tool for 'mistakes' (this I bought in Radio Shack but Micro-Mark has it as well).

I bought several syringes (one each of the different soldering pastes) from All Dav:
http://www.alldav.com/

I see he no longer has the syringes (this may be temporary) but he does have fabulous prices. I kept the syringe and am about to order the tub to refill the syringe myself.

Regards,

Hi Saul,

Yep, I did get the bristle brush from Micro-Mark. In fact, I order the regular steel brush and the brass wire brush. They seem to work really well.

I also bought the soldering wick from Radio shack and seems to work as well. I now do have one problem though with the soldering paste I bought. I purchased Solder-It silver bearing paste. The thing comes in a syringe but the paste itself is so coarse it's just too thick (it seems) to apply like I've seen some here do. I basically grab a bit with a toothpick and apply to the part but when I apply the flame from the torch the silver in the content takes the shape of tiny balls rather than to flow as it should. I don't know if it's the paste or something else but the results are awful.

I may have to try a different paste (like the one in your link) to see how it works. Please tell me, what's the actual consistensy I should be looking for here in terms of the paste? From pictures from Sergio here his seems to be a bit more liquid that what I got.

Anyway, thanks for the link and for all your help!

Rob

[greybeard]

Thee are lots of kinds of paste. The stuff I'm used to has the consistency of petroleum jelly. You are right to note that Sergiusz uses a liquid "paste", same behaviour, but different consistency. Shop around.

Scott Fraser

[GALILEO1]

Thee are lots of kinds of paste. The stuff I'm used to has the consistency of petroleum jelly. You are right to note that Sergiusz uses a liquid "paste", same behaviour, but different consistency. Shop around.

Scott Fraser

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Scott! Would you mind sharing the brand that you're using or what I should look for in the jar/syringe that would tell me something about the right consistency to chose from? I tried looking for the same stuff Sergiusz uses (Koki, I think), but I have not been able to find it locally.

Thanks again!

Rob