Bottlehead Forum

General Category => Tech Tools => Topic started by: Banzaiburrito on August 24, 2018, 10:06:42 PM

Title: TRT Wonder Solder (Resolved)
Post by: Banzaiburrito on August 24, 2018, 10:06:42 PM

Hi - This is my first post so I hope I’m in the correct zone...

I have my first kit on order and just completing some shopping for necessary bits..  I purchase all of my hi-fi accessories through a company in England called Russ Andrews (no affiliation just good first hand experience)  As well as selling Kimber Kable they make their own mains products and various component upgrades. 

Russ highly recommends the use of TRT Wonder Solder  Ultraclear for its sound properties and the team uses this on everything they make.  I note from the attached data sheet that the flux is noted as ‘water soluble’ not Rosin.  Do you think this would be appropriate for my build? They recommend it but  Your instructions recommend Rosin flux...


Many thanks and kind regards

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: galyons on August 25, 2018, 06:58:48 AM

Wonder is my favorite solder.  Flows like hot butter.  It is rosin core, just water soluble rosin.  Just  make sure you get the old leaded solder, not lead-free.

Cheers,
Geary

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: Banzaiburrito on August 25, 2018, 09:13:26 AM

Hi Geary

Thanks for your response on this. Is it the ‘Old Wonder Solder Ultraclear’ that you use? (As per the top of the attached list).  That’s the one that Russ Andrews has recommended.

Kind regards

James

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: Banzaiburrito on September 16, 2018, 12:04:18 AM

I just tried the wonder solder on a Velleman kit as a trial / practice and the joints were very cloudy in appearance.  Any thoughts would be appreciated. By comparison I switched to some lead free I had and the joints were much brighter.  Thanks.

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 16, 2018, 05:12:38 AM

Are you 100% sure you got the leaded version?

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: Banzaiburrito on September 16, 2018, 05:23:02 AM

Sorry for a poorly drafted post....  I’m not sure if the wonder solder was leaded or lead free, however when I ran out of that I used another anonymous brand which was lead free for sure.

The wonder solder was bright when hot but soon clouded as it cooled, i was sure to not move the components or breath on the joint...  The lead free solder achieved a much brighter and glossier joint.  Still a bit of a barstool to use. 

I’m glad I chose to try it out, my soldering skills are clearly rusty! I’ve ordered some 63 / 37 to see how that works and some more practice kits.

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder
Post by: Banzaiburrito on September 16, 2018, 07:01:03 AM

Just a thought after doing some research.  The Wonder solder was about 1mm thick and due to the nature of the novelty kit I was building, I’d chosen my 25w iron with cone tip.  Perhaps the Wonder Solder needed a bit more thermal muscle!?

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder (Resolved)
Post by: Banzaiburrito on September 28, 2018, 11:43:43 PM

It’s a shame that TRT don’t advertise any specifications for their Wonder Solder.  It’s meant to be mutts wotnotts but why would you choose it if you don’t know the specifics??  I reached deep into my pockets and paid for some Kester 44 leaded to be shipped from the Other side of the Atlantic!!

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder (Resolved)
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 29, 2018, 05:35:05 AM

Kester 44 is good stuff!

Title: Re: TRT Wonder Solder (Resolved)
Post by: 4krow on September 29, 2018, 03:17:07 PM

Funny thing, I have used Wonder solder for years, just because it has such good results for me. The lead free solders are not my favorite. I tried some Cardas solder that I got from eBay, but I doubt that it was the real thing. It was really crappy solder. When you find what you like, stick with it.