[Boatanchors] Solder Kester 88

[howard holden]

Per Kester, (see their website),  flux-core solder whose metal composition is more than 70% lead has a two year shelf life. All others have a three year shelf life. Solid core solder has an unlimited shelf life. The various fluxes and other soldering chemicals have a 4 to 6 month shelf life.

Before I retired, the company I managed did some aerospace stuff, and most customers would not accept use of solder more than a year old. A solder manufacturer's certificate of compliance had to accompany the work. 

BUT, I've got solder 15-20 years old and it still works fine, at least for my purposes. 

There is a dizzying array of solder products out there, especially now with the lead-free stuff. WE need to pay attention to what is on the shelf these days. 

For most of our purposes, 60-40 rosin core is the best in my view. The lead-free stuff is crap, and poses a whole new set of problems. 

Howie WB2AWQ
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Clarson<mailto:mclarson at rcc.com> 
  To: 'Rick'<mailto:rickb at tx.rr.com> ; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors at mailman.qth.net> 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 2:59 PM
  Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Solder Kester 88



  Rick: Does Solder expire? Back in the 60s, I usually used NY Solder Company
  Rosin Core. It was $0.19 vs $0.25 for Kester (orange box) and worked just as
  well. Paper route money. Anyway, at some point back then I acquired a 1 lb
  spool of the NY Solder stuff. It got filed away during moves, and it
  surfaced about 2 years ago. It just won't stick. It melts, there is stuff in
  the core, but unless I use some external flux, it is useless. The solder was
  just fine when I bought the spool. I stopped using NY Solder products in the
  70s when I could afford the nicer smelling Multicore solder. --Mike, WV2ZOW
  -----Original Message-----
  From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
  [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick
  Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 4:04 PM
  To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
  Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Solder Kester 88

  I have a pretty big supply of older too. I wonder, does it have a shelf life
  or does it deteriorate over time?

  Rick / K5IAR


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