Chinese solder on ebay

[John_H]

Is it any good?

Also significant amounts of 63/37 Sn/Pb (the true eutectic point) are
being offered whereas the locally available product has mostly always
been 60/40. Why so (and/or which is preferable)?

--
John H

 

[Clocky]

On 10/04/2015 6:10 AM, John_H wrote:

Is it any good?

Also significant amounts of 63/37 Sn/Pb (the true eutectic point) are
being offered whereas the locally available product has mostly always
been 60/40. Why so (and/or which is preferable)?

Lower melting point possibly better for reflowing and also reduced the
chances of board damage when doing repairs?

I don't see a real downside though I still use 60/40 so no direct
experience with it.

 

[Cloaca]

On 10-Apr-15 6:10 AM, John_H wrote:

Is it any good?

Also significant amounts of 63/37 Sn/Pb (the true eutectic point) are
being offered whereas the locally available product has mostly always
been 60/40. Why so (and/or which is preferable)?

I don't know about the solder, but if you're chasing flux then DONT get
the one below. It's shite, it does not appear to work as flux at all and
needs detergent and a scrubbing brush to get it off the board.


<http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150g-High-quality-Intensity-Soldering-Paste-Solder-Flux-Paste-Grease-For-IC-PCB-/261302866646?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3cd6dd52d6>

 

[pedro]

On Fri, 10 Apr 2015 08:10:12 +1000, John_H <john4721@inbox.com> wrote:

>Is it any good?

Well it's a fair bet it has real lead in it, since they were putting
it into the paint on kids' toys ...

And it has to be better than the shite lead-free crap that causes so
many failures.

<O/T: I have in service some solenoid coils that have been made in
Sydney and under the same part# since 1978, The originals lasted over
20 years, on eventual failure the outer resin shell was
heat-discoloured and showing some cracking. Replacements - with
lead-free solder - are lasting 15 months on average with there being
no visible signs of distress. Without X-ray gear I can't be 100% sure
of the failure mode, but when their product engineer was quizzed about
what had changed from original he eventually conceded that the only
change was the move to lead-free solder.>

Q: Why are aerospace, military, aviation and medical end-uses exempt
from the requirement to use lead-free solder?

A:

 

[Phil Allison]

John_H wrote:

Is it any good?

** Funny thing about using Chinese solder is that after you have made a good joint, couple of hours later you want to do it again.



..... Phil

 

[John_H]

John_H wrote:

Is it any good?

Can't fault this one, so far....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400535238617?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It's shiny and clean, flows and wets well... and the flux doesn't
smell like cat's piss. It's also a lot cheaper than Multicore, which
has gotten expensive of late.

--
John H

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 10/04/2015 8:10 AM, John_H wrote:

Is it any good?

Also significant amounts of 63/37 Sn/Pb (the true eutectic point) are
being offered whereas the locally available product has mostly always
been 60/40. Why so (and/or which is preferable)?

**Unless you are using kilos of the stuff every month, why not just buy
Ersin Multicore Savbit and be done with it? A 500g roll lasts me months.
I don't mind buying some Chinese stuff, but when it is mission-critical,
like solder, no chance. I just don't trust them to supply two batches
the same.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com

 

[John_H]

Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 10/04/2015 8:10 AM, John_H wrote:
Is it any good?

Also significant amounts of 63/37 Sn/Pb (the true eutectic point) are
being offered whereas the locally available product has mostly always
been 60/40. Why so (and/or which is preferable)?


**Unless you are using kilos of the stuff every month, why not just buy
Ersin Multicore Savbit and be done with it? A 500g roll lasts me months.
I don't mind buying some Chinese stuff, but when it is mission-critical,
like solder, no chance. I just don't trust them to supply two batches
the same.

I keep a bit of Savbit on hand (for soldering thin copper wires) but
I've mostly used the normal Multicore, at least in part because Savbit
only seems to be available in 1.22mm... and now costs around $80 for
500g. The normal stuff is similarly priced (and also seems slightly
better to use).

It's not that I use much of it but sooner or later it has to be
replaced and I particulary object to the price... noting that WES
still sell 60/40 for around $8 per 200g (plus GST) but I've no idea
what it's like, or who makes it.

FWIW Jaycar once gave me a couple of complimentary rolls of whatever
they were selling at the time and it was absolute crap whereas the
Chinese stuff I recently bought on ebay seems OK.

--
John H

 

[Phil Allison]

John_H wrote:

I keep a bit of Savbit on hand (for soldering thin copper wires) but
I've mostly used the normal Multicore, at least in part because Savbit
only seems to be available in 1.22mm... and now costs around $80 for
500g. The normal stuff is similarly priced (and also seems slightly
better to use).

It's not that I use much of it but sooner or later it has to be
replaced and I particulary object to the price... noting that WES
still sell 60/40 for around $8 per 200g (plus GST) but I've no idea
what it's like, or who makes it.

** The WES 60/40 solder wire is made by Shenmao in Taiwan.

http://www.shenmao.com/

The flux is a "no clean" type, not very effective on tarnished metals.

Works well on newish looking parts.



..... Phil

 

[Clocky]

On 11/04/2015 7:16 AM, Phil Allison wrote:

John_H wrote:

Is it any good?


** Funny thing about using Chinese solder is that after you have made a good joint, couple of hours later you want to do it again.

lol

 

[John_H]

Phil Allison wrote:

** The WES 60/40 solder wire is made by Shenmao in Taiwan.

http://www.shenmao.com/

The flux is a "no clean" type, not very effective on tarnished metals.

Which would probably piss me off!

First thing I tried the Chinese stuff on were a few stray components
with badly tarnished leads and it worked reasonably well. The flux is
pretty effective, with a residue that looks similar to Multicore and
needs a commercial cleaning solvent to remove.

>Works well on newish looking parts.

--
John H

 

[pedro]

On Tue, 05 May 2015 07:35:29 +1000, John_H <john4721@inbox.com> wrote:

I keep a bit of Savbit on hand (for soldering thin copper wires) but
I've mostly used the normal Multicore, at least in part because Savbit
only seems to be available in 1.22mm... and now costs around $80 for
500g. The normal stuff is similarly priced (and also seems slightly
better to use).

It's not that I use much of it but sooner or later it has to be
replaced and I particulary object to the price... noting that WES
still sell 60/40 for around $8 per 200g (plus GST) but I've no idea
what it's like, or who makes it.

WES were largely a supplier to the servicing trade (although the
balance *may* have shifted a littlle towards consumer lines) so I'd
expect it to be decent. I get my supplies of SnPb from a local
electronics specialist who has the trade as 90% of his business.

 

[John_H]

pedro wrote:

WES were largely a supplier to the servicing trade (although the
balance *may* have shifted a littlle towards consumer lines) so I'd
expect it to be decent.

They still are, even though the service trade probably no longer
represents the bulk of their business... Wagner is the retail outlet.
They also sell a considerable amount of junk (which may or may not
include their solder).

I get my supplies of SnPb from a local
electronics specialist who has the trade as 90% of his business.

Nearest thing to a specialist supplier within 500km of me is a Jaycar
outlet which stocks even worse crap (I happen to live in a relatively
remote area). I've previously bought solder from RS Components but
last time around they sent Multicore HMP instead of 60/40 (which
happens to have a very similar looking label). By the time I got
around to using it, and noticed the mistake, it it was too late to
send it back and I don't particularly feel like giving them another
opportunity to stuff up.

--
John H

 

[Computer Nerd Kev]

John_H <john4721@inbox.com> wrote:

pedro wrote:

WES were largely a supplier to the servicing trade (although the
balance *may* have shifted a littlle towards consumer lines) so I'd
expect it to be decent.

They still are, even though the service trade probably no longer
represents the bulk of their business... Wagner is the retail outlet.
They also sell a considerable amount of junk (which may or may not
include their solder).

I get my supplies of SnPb from a local
electronics specialist who has the trade as 90% of his business.

Nearest thing to a specialist supplier within 500km of me is a Jaycar
outlet which stocks even worse crap (I happen to live in a relatively
remote area). I've previously bought solder from RS Components but
last time around they sent Multicore HMP instead of 60/40 (which
happens to have a very similar looking label). By the time I got
around to using it, and noticed the mistake, it it was too late to
send it back and I don't particularly feel like giving them another
opportunity to stuff up.

Consolidated Alloys (http://www.cagroup.com.au/) are an Australian
manufacturer. You can buy their solder from Wiltronics and Rockby
Electronics, probably among others. I find it works well.

--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

 

[Clocky]

On 12/05/2015 6:34 AM, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:

John_H <john4721@inbox.com> wrote:
pedro wrote:

WES were largely a supplier to the servicing trade (although the
balance *may* have shifted a littlle towards consumer lines) so I'd
expect it to be decent.

They still are, even though the service trade probably no longer
represents the bulk of their business... Wagner is the retail outlet.
They also sell a considerable amount of junk (which may or may not
include their solder).

I get my supplies of SnPb from a local
electronics specialist who has the trade as 90% of his business.

Nearest thing to a specialist supplier within 500km of me is a Jaycar
outlet which stocks even worse crap (I happen to live in a relatively
remote area). I've previously bought solder from RS Components but
last time around they sent Multicore HMP instead of 60/40 (which
happens to have a very similar looking label). By the time I got
around to using it, and noticed the mistake, it it was too late to
send it back and I don't particularly feel like giving them another
opportunity to stuff up.

Consolidated Alloys (http://www.cagroup.com.au/) are an Australian
manufacturer. You can buy their solder from Wiltronics and Rockby
Electronics, probably among others. I find it works well.

I'm still using a roll of Digitor branded .56mm solder that I bought
years ago. It too was made in Australia, I wonder if it's the same but
rebranded by Dick Smith (who don't stock it anymore) because it's good
stuff.

Consolidated Alloys solder is also available at Bunnings BTW.

 

[John_H]

Clocky wrote:

On 12/05/2015 6:34 AM, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:

Consolidated Alloys (http://www.cagroup.com.au/) are an Australian
manufacturer. You can buy their solder from Wiltronics and Rockby
Electronics, probably among others. I find it works well.


I'm still using a roll of Digitor branded .56mm solder that I bought
years ago. It too was made in Australia, I wonder if it's the same but
rebranded by Dick Smith (who don't stock it anymore) because it's good
stuff.

Since at least the 1980's any DSE solder I've ever used has been
rebranded Multicore (it said so on the label). I'm not familiar with
Digitor solder but DSE still sell Digitor brand soldering stations and
multimeters.

>Consolidated Alloys solder is also available at Bunnings BTW.

Jaycar solder was, and possibly still is, Consolodated Alloys (it's
got "CAPALLOY" imprinted on the spool)... of which I've never been a
fan. It doesn't flow nearly as well as Multicore, or the Chinese
brand I recently bought on ebay. It's also a much duller colour,
which seems a bit odd since both are claimed to be 60/40. The Chinese
stuff (claimed to be 63/37) is brighter still, as you'd expect from a
higher Sn content.

--
John H

 

[Phil Allison]

John_H wrote:

Since at least the 1980's any DSE solder I've ever used has been
rebranded Multicore (it said so on the label). I'm not familiar with
Digitor solder but DSE still sell Digitor brand soldering stations and
multimeters.

** "Digitor" is DSE's own brand, used on heaps of cheap Chinese stuff.

Jaycar solder was, and possibly still is, Consolodated Alloys (it's
got "CAPALLOY" imprinted on the spool)... of which I've never been a
fan. It doesn't flow nearly as well as Multicore, or the Chinese
brand I recently bought on ebay. It's also a much duller colour,
which seems a bit odd since both are claimed to be 60/40.

** Years go, I bought a 500gm reel of "COBARCORE" solder from Jaycar.

1.2mm, 67/43 with "no clean" flux, the label says it came from Holland.

The brand seems to have been acquired by a German company and no longer makes tin/lead solder as it is practically illegal in Europe.



..... Phil

 

[Clocky]

On 13/05/2015 10:56 AM, John_H wrote:

Clocky wrote:
On 13/05/2015 8:07 AM, John_H wrote:

I'm not familiar with
Digitor solder but DSE still sell Digitor brand soldering stations and
multimeters.


Not the solder however. I didn't know they still sold a soldering
station though, might be worth a look since I wouldn't mind a second
unit for the shed and it's reasonably priced so thanks for the tip.

You might do better to check out the Hakko 936 clones on ebay, for
which tips and other parts are more likely to be readily available.
The original Hakko was a professional quality iron that's now obsolete
(mine's around 20 y.o and still going strong). Here's one example
but there are others....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/936E-220V-60W-Thermostat-Constant-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Solder-Iron-Kit-/191384609826?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2c8f696422

That's the iron I'm currently using, well not that brand but it is
identical. I'm quite happy with it as as I have spare tips galore it
would make sense to simply buy another indeed.

Jaycar solder was, and possibly still is, Consolodated Alloys (it's
got "CAPALLOY" imprinted on the spool)... of which I've never been a
fan. It doesn't flow nearly as well as Multicore, or the Chinese
brand I recently bought on ebay. It's also a much duller colour,
which seems a bit odd since both are claimed to be 60/40. The Chinese
stuff (claimed to be 63/37) is brighter still, as you'd expect from a
higher Sn content.


Does your Chinese roll have a decipherable brand or do you have a link
to the stuff? I'll give it a shot.
TIA.

Yong Chang Long Soldering Co Ltd....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400535238617?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Note that it's 1mm diameter and that particullar roll is around 100g.
I haven't checked what other sizes and quantities might be available.

Thanks John, I'll look into it.

 

[John_H]

John_H wrote:

You might do better to check out the Hakko 936 clones on ebay, for
which tips and other parts are more likely to be readily available.
The original Hakko was a professional quality iron that's now obsolete
(mine's around 20 y.o and still going strong). Here's one example
but there are others....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/936E-220V-60W-Thermostat-Constant-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Solder-Iron-Kit-/191384609826?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2c8f696422

This one might be even better, as well cheaper....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yihua-Soldering-Station-YH936C-50W-Lead-Free-Solder-ESD-SAFE-CE-Sydney-1Year-WRT-/271514158500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f378145a4

It's from a GST registered Australian based company who're very good
to deal with and send stuff promptly. They also stock Hakko tips (and
other parts) which I've bought from them previously.

Might also be worth googling Yihua 936 as it's a very popular clone.

--
John H

 

[John_H]

Clocky wrote:

On 13/05/2015 8:07 AM, John_H wrote:

I'm not familiar with
Digitor solder but DSE still sell Digitor brand soldering stations and
multimeters.


Not the solder however. I didn't know they still sold a soldering
station though, might be worth a look since I wouldn't mind a second
unit for the shed and it's reasonably priced so thanks for the tip.

You might do better to check out the Hakko 936 clones on ebay, for
which tips and other parts are more likely to be readily available.
The original Hakko was a professional quality iron that's now obsolete
(mine's around 20 y.o and still going strong). Here's one example
but there are others....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/936E-220V-60W-Thermostat-Constant-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Solder-Iron-Kit-/191384609826?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2c8f696422

Jaycar solder was, and possibly still is, Consolodated Alloys (it's
got "CAPALLOY" imprinted on the spool)... of which I've never been a
fan. It doesn't flow nearly as well as Multicore, or the Chinese
brand I recently bought on ebay. It's also a much duller colour,
which seems a bit odd since both are claimed to be 60/40. The Chinese
stuff (claimed to be 63/37) is brighter still, as you'd expect from a
higher Sn content.


Does your Chinese roll have a decipherable brand or do you have a link
to the stuff? I'll give it a shot.
TIA.

Yong Chang Long Soldering Co Ltd....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400535238617?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Note that it's 1mm diameter and that particullar roll is around 100g.
I haven't checked what other sizes and quantities might be available.

--
John H