Tweakers' Asylum

Flux: belt and suspenders or a good practice?

65.25.4.51

Square Peg

I've been using Kester 63/37, bar and wire as well as Cardas for a long time. They, of course, contain flux. Never used extra flux and never had a problem.

I see using extra flux, even adding it to the pot, mentioned a lot. How necessary is it?

Follow Ups:

You want to minimize the time that the parts are heated. - Al Sekela 16:28:34 11/21/07 (0)
The core flux in the solder may eventually work through surface contamination of difficult metals, but you have to apply the heat while it is doing so and the melted solder oxidizes. It is easier on the parts to clean the leads and apply a small amount of liquid flux before applying the iron. The flux works on the contamination right away and you can finish the joint more quickly.
Putting flux in the pot- DANGER the solder may be spat out as the flux explodes. -nt - chris_w 00:34:10 11/21/07 (0)
nt
RE: Flux: belt and suspenders or a good practice? - beermanpete@socal.rr.com 23:46:41 11/20/07 (0)
Flux is an essential part of soldering. Without it you will not get good results. When soldering with a soldering iron wire solder that contains a flux core is generally good enough for soldering clean parts that are made of easily soldered metals such as copper and tin or solder plated leads. Dirty or hard to solder parts (nickel plated) require the use of additional flux, generally applied to the parts before or while heating.

You mention bar solder. My experience with bar solder is that it does not contain any flux and is used with solder pots. Solder pots are a different situation and requires a different technique. Flux is added to the solder pot to clean the surface of the hot solder prior to dipping the parts into the solder. Flux should also be applied to the parts prior to dipping for best results.
RE: Flux: belt and suspenders or a good practice? - djk 20:29:33 11/20/07 (0)
You don't put it in the pot, you put it on the part. Big difference.

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio