What solder paste do you use?

Comments

• vanmunch Posts: 568

  2014-04-28 07:19 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/
• SRLM Posts: 5,045

  2014-04-28 07:34 edited 2014-04-28 07:34

  This might help: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/151121-Best-Lead-Solder-Paste
• tonyp12 Posts: 1,951

  2014-04-28 12:01 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
• Cluso99 Posts: 18,069

  2014-04-28 16:37 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.
• JonnyMac Posts: 9,298

  2014-04-29 11:11 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
• Tymkrs Posts: 539

  2014-04-29 14:42 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 freedman Posts: 1,983

  2014-04-29 22:36 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_braino Posts: 4,313

  2014-04-30 21:15 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, ...