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soldering

L_GamindeL_Gaminde Posts: 29
edited 2013-09-16 10:08 in General Discussion
has anyone here used solder pots for soldering circuit boards I have about 150 boards and no solder mask does it matter if there's no soldermask? any hints on using one are they worth it

Comments

  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2013-09-15 20:32
    Solder pots and wave soldering work best with single sided through hole boards with a solder mask. By the time you get it, adjust it, test it until you get good results you could probably do the boards by hand. I don't know what your board looks like or how complicated it is but that is my opinion.
  • L_GamindeL_Gaminde Posts: 29
    edited 2013-09-16 08:06
    Well thats what I have been doing for the last 3 or 4 batches of 150 boards Im getting tired. so if there not solder masked it will not work? or do I just need to be more carefull.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-09-16 08:46
    L_Gaminde wrote: »
    Well thats what I have been doing for the last 3 or 4 batches of 150 boards Im getting tired. so if there not solder masked it will not work? or do I just need to be more carefull.

    How big are the boards?

    A solder pot such as these should work without solder mask if you do not immerse the board in solder, but just contact the bottom of the board..
  • L_GamindeL_Gaminde Posts: 29
    edited 2013-09-16 08:54
    Thank you I will try one and if needed on the next batch of boards will solder mask.some are 2x3 and the others are .75 x1.5 I also have bigger ones but have only made 8 as of yet.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-09-16 09:03
    I would also suggest brushing the bottom of the board, or at least around the component holes, with rosin flux to insure good transfer of solder.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-09-16 09:17
    There are special water based fluxes that wash off cleanly for printed circuit board work. Rosin flux might be good for traditional electronics projects, but it is harder to cleanup a board that has it.

    Flux in liquid form is not expensive. I see liter bottles of it at the local shop, and is washes up with plain water.

    http://www.icmfluxes.com/chemicals-printed-circuit-boards.html
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-09-16 10:08
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    There are special water based fluxes that wash off cleanly for printed circuit board work. Rosin flux might be good for traditional electronics projects, but it is harder to cleanup a board that has it.

    Flux in liquid form is not expensive. I see liter bottles of it at the local shop, and is washes up with plain water.

    http://www.icmfluxes.com/chemicals-printed-circuit-boards.html

    The OP did not say if Lead or Non-Lead is involved. That could make a difference.

    Rosin flux residue, when used in solder pot or wave soldering situations, is not much of a concern. It is pretty much dissipated by the large amount of solder being applied.

    That's not to say a cleaning with Isopropyl would be advised anyway.
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