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What solder paste do you use? — Parallax Forums

What solder paste do you use?

jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
edited 2014-04-30 21:15 in General Discussion
Im looking to try some solder paste what do you guys use?

Use 2-3 times a month

A decent shelf life

Thanks, john

Comments

  • vanmunchvanmunch Posts: 568
    edited 2014-04-28 07:19
    I just buy the stuff that O'Hararp sells (link below). I buy it at the same time that I order my stencils and save some money on postage. They are pretty small so, depending on your usage, you might want to buy a couple. I've also used Qualitek XP692 No-Clean Leaded Solder Paste. You can buy it from a couple of places and comes in a larger jar (250g).

    Hope this helps!
    Dave

    http://ohararp.com/product/xg-50/
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2014-04-28 07:34
    This might help: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/151121-Best-Lead-Solder-Paste
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2014-04-28 12:01
    I use this, even after 6 months it works just fine and I don't even keep it cold in between.
    Now that oshstencils are ~$10, only use the syringe if there a very few parts and 0805 or bigger.
    http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?WT.z_header=search_go&keywords=SMD291SNL10-ND
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-04-28 16:37
    I keep my solder paste in the fridge in a sealed zip plastic bag. Remove enough paste to do your job (means enough plus the amount on the scraper) and discard after use. That way you are not recontaminating the original paste.
    Leaded solder paste melts at a lower temp and is easier than unleaded paste. You need a different heat profile for each.

    You can google to find out how to re-liquidify old paste.
    BTW it will last way way longer than 6 months (if kept in fridge) - you are not using it professionally so it will not matter if you have to touch something up.
    TIP: Use an old credit card as the applicator on a stencil.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2014-04-29 11:11
    I use paste from Zephyrtronics. The advantage for me is that they're in LA and always send fresh batches so you get the longest shelf-life.

    http://www.zeph.com/solderpaste.htm
  • TymkrsTymkrs Posts: 539
    edited 2014-04-29 14:42
    http://tymkrs.tumblr.com/post/79464970494/so-you-wanna-solder-smt

    Tada! Links to all of the SMT related items we use.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2014-04-29 22:36
    JonnyMac wrote: »
    I use paste from Zephyrtronics. The advantage for me is that they're in LA and always send fresh batches so you get the longest shelf-life.

    http://www.zeph.com/solderpaste.htm

    Same here. good stuff esp with air pencil and smt parts. Zephyrtronics make some really nice stuff as well. I also have the tool kits for both lead and lead-free work. not that much difference in the contents beyond the obvious. Wish work would have sprung for the air bath and pencil I wanted; currently using a spark fun Auyuoe unit. works ok to meh, airflow just can't be regulated as well to keep smallest parts from moving on pads. Just not doing as many component level fixes anymore....
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2014-04-30 21:15
    Anybody reading this and just learning about solder paste NOTE: The Plumber's Solder for PIPES DOES NOT WORK WELL WITH ELECTRONICS!
    The acid eats away the metal on the circuit board and never washes off. Its not good.
    What ever you get, DON'T get the stuff from the plumbing aisle at the hardware store, at least not for electronics.
    Unless you want to pull a mean prank on your electronics buddy. Which gives me an idea, ...
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