Solder has come up in a couple of topics recently and although they were in relation to soldering White Metal I thought it worth sharing my armoury as far as solder goes. I have solder with 5 different melting points on the bench all the time 298[sup]0[/sup] - Which I use for soldering parts to other parts that will be subsequently soldered again - An example being copper wire to oiler castings to represent feed pipes. This means that I don't have to worry when I follow this up by soldering said casting to the body or chassis. - Note I always use the microflame to melt 298[sup]0[/sup] (I haven't tried with soldering iron my to be fair). 227[sup]0[/sup] - Used when for some reason I don't want to heat the part as hot as it needs to melt the 298[sup]0[/sup] solder 180[sup]0[/sup] - Used for virtually all my day to day soldering. 145[sup]0[/sup] - Used to solder bits on when I don't want things to drop off or if what I am soldering to is a big heat sink 100[sup]0[/sup] - Used for soldering White Metal to Brass. 70[sup]0[/sup] - Used for White Metal to White Metal solderings and also White Metal to Brass once the Brass has been tinned first with 145[sup]0[/sup] solder. I use the same flux for all my soldering irrespective of the temperature of the solder - Water based safety flux from Here [sup] [/sup][sup] [/sup]
DCC Concepts say that 70 degree solder (presumably due to it's different metal content) makes poor joints. I do have some, but have so far found the 100 degree stuff quite satisfactory for what I've built up to now, so I'll stay with that for the time being. Flux-wise, I use phosphoric acid, bought in bulk -well, 1 litre bottle, Amazon around £8, rather than 60cl from 'Hobby Holidays' at getting on for a 'fiver'! (You're not the only one that's 'tight', Rob!......well, 'careful' anyway!) Keith.
Thanks Rob I am now trying to get my faithful PC to print your sage advice so I can glue it to the wall over where I do my soldering. Fresh in my mind as my long and loyal temperature setting soldering iron has given up the ghost after many years and I just got a new one from Jaycar. Cheers Richard
