HD650 and possibly speakers (in the future) - Crack or SEX?

[Mike B]

Yeah, that will work.  It's kinds thin though, would be great for PC boards, but you would be really feeding it into lugs.

You could go .5 to .7 mm

[Grainger49]

One reel will let you know that you can do it.  It should cover two kits easily.

What you linked is not eutectic, as Mike above mentions.  Eutectic makes good solder joints easier.

[JosephDuffy]

One reel will let you know that you can do it.  It should cover two kits easily.

What you linked is not eutectic, as Mike above mentions.  Eutectic makes good solder joints easier.

Thank you for all of your replies. I've done a bit of a google but I can't find why that's not eutectic? From my research 63/37 is eutectic? Is there's a specific property of the one I linked that makes it not eutectic?

I will, however, find some thicker solder, since I thought it might be too thin, and that was confirmed

Thanks again for all your help!

[2wo]

It is the ratio 63/37, that makes it the eutectic alloy. BTW its personal preference but I like thin solder for electronic work...John

edit, the stuff you posted IS thin, the stuff I like is .7mm

[JosephDuffy]

It is the ratio 63/37, that makes it the eutectic alloy. BTW its personal preference but I like thin solder for electronic work...John

edit, the stuff you posted IS thin, the stuff I like is .7mm

So, the linked solder is eutectic? I might buy a few different thicknesses and see what I prefer Some might come in useful is different part so the build?

[Grainger49]

Joseph,

I was going by the auction.  Usually if it is eutectic it says so.  I have seen a link which calls out all the solder percentages that are eutectic.  I couldn't find it.  So let's assume it is. 

As I said, Eutectic makes good solder joints easier.  It doesn't in any way mean a non-euctectic solder makes bad solder joints.

[2wo]

Yes, its the alloy, and yes get a few sizes. Here is one for less then, 2 lb (sorry don't have the symbol handy)...John

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/63-37-Tin-Lead-0-8mm-Rosin-Core-Flux-Solder-Soldering-Wire-Reel/400490999447?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18216%26meid%3D2130945952500350899%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D8342%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D350657833849%26 

[JosephDuffy]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I just thought I'd run over my shopping list since my order has been dispatched and should be here soon!
It turned out my Dad's Soldering Iron wasn't suitable, so I also have to buy one now.
15W Solder w/ stand
63/37 0.8mm Solder
Desoldering Wick
I'm also hoping to pick up a test PCB board (with just a bunch of holes in) and some resistors/capacitors and practice a bit of soldering before I start on the S.E.X., along with some other width solder, just to see if I prefer one size over the other.
Any last advice before I stop bothering you guys?
Thanks for all the advice and help, everyone!

[Grainger49]

15 Watts is kind of low.  You would have to leave the iron terminals, tube pins and circuit board traces for quite a while to get a good solder joint.  You want to melt the solder, count to three after it melts to let the two pieces of metal bond to the solder and then remove the iron.

Maybe something like this where you can adjust the heat?  $39.99 on sale:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475

[Mike B]

Forty bucks for a WLC100?

Buy it -

I have been using mine for 10 years now and paid $60 for it.  It's adjustable for low heat for PC boards and if you crank it all the way up you have enough heat to solder ground lugs screwed to the aluminum chassis plate.

Great tool!

[JosephDuffy]

15 Watts is kind of low.  You would have to leave the iron terminals, tube pins and circuit board traces for quite a while to get a good solder joint.  You want to melt the solder, count to three after it melts to let the two pieces of metal bond to the solder and then remove the iron.

Maybe something like this where you can adjust the heat?  $39.99 on sale:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475

As great of a deal (and a great piece of kit), I'm in the UK, and I can't even find that for sale over here. There's on on eBay, but it's about $85 when you add on shipping/import taxes.

I was worried about the low wattage, though, so thanks for pointing that out!

[Grainger49]

I looked at your link.  Then searched the site for a more powerful iron.  None of them come out and say what power they are. 

I suspect that the Weller From MCM would be really expensive delivered to the UK.  But it would be worth your time to check.  The exchange rate should help. 

[mcandmar]

Really cheap option is one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Variable-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Iron-Kit-NEW-/120730956097?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item1c1c203141  i bought one recently and really cant fault it.  Will produce more heat than you know what to do with (50w), i've used it for everything from SMD circuit boards to unsoldering transformers/inductors from PCB's with 1/4" thick solder tracks. It also uses removable tips which are cheap should you need to replace them.  With a large wedge tip it would be perfect for assembling a Crack IMO.

[JosephDuffy]

I did look at MCM, but they don't seem to ship the UK. It seems hard to find these sorts of supplies over here. Maybe there's some secret store in unaware of, but either way, I'm not having too much luck.

Really cheap option is one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Variable-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Iron-Kit-NEW-/120730956097?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item1c1c203141  i bought one recently and really cant fault it.  Will produce more heat than you know what to do with (50w), i've used it for everything from SMD circuit boards to unsoldering transformers/inductors from PCB's with 1/4" thick solder tracks. It also uses removable tips which are cheap should you need to replace them.  With a large wedge tip it would be perfect for assembling a Crack IMO.

This, especially for the price, looks really good. I think it might worth ordering that, the other pieces I linked above, and then just having a go with it to see how it is.

Again, thank you everyone for your help. No one has yet made me feel stupid or been unhelpful. Such an amazing community.

Quick edit: Is it worth me a getting a multimeter for the sake of testing?

[Grainger49]

Joseph,

There were, back a decade ago when I joined, a few Bottleheads in and around London.  One, Gaspode, lived in Windsor.

I don't know if there are any Bottleheads active now in that area.  Maybe you could post in the General folder asking for Bottleheads near you, or just in the 240V/50 Hz areas who can help you.