Solder information

[brett]

Hi.  Although I've built circuits for a while I haven't thought much about solder until the other day when I bought another roll.  They didn't have my usual savbit solder (2% copper, makes the tip last longer), so I bought some 60/40.  Then I started to wonder whether there was any resin in it.  On getting it home, I found that it does have some kind of resin in it.  So how can they say it's 60% lead and 40% tin if its got X% resin in it?

Anyway, what do most people use; 0.7mm (1/32) or 1.0mm(3/64??), savbit or 60/40?  resin-cored or regular?

[petemoore]

Rosin core IMO works great.
 We used to have rosin and flux separately in cans and would dip the solder in that first.
  They came out with 'cored solder and everybody liked that.
  Nothing wrong with the cans of it...till you lose the can or run out.
  It cleans the surfaces and makes the solder 'stick.
  I've been using plain old RS thin...

[niftydog]

60/40 only refers to the metal content of the solder.  Personally, I sware by the silver solder, flows much easier and the joints positively shine!

0.7 or 1mm is as much as you need for most stuff.  You definately want resin core.  Much cleaner, safer and easier.

[travissk]

I use 63/37, I highly recommend everyone give it a try
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6262