[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft recommended solders

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Gene Fuller, W4SZ wrote, regarding No-Clean solders...

... snip ...

>However, I am a bit puzzled why you chose to issue such a dire warning on
>the Kester 245 no-clean solder. There is certainly nothing whatsoever wrong
>or substandard with this product. Yes, the flux action is not as powerful as
>some other solders, but use of the 245 product should not cause damage to
>the boards under any circumstances.
>
>Are you perhaps tarring all 245 solders with the same brush as the 2% silver
>bearing version?
>
>I have been soldering with Multicore and various Kester solders for decades.
>When I built my K2 I decided to try the recommended Kester 2% silver
>bearing 245 flux solder, which I had never used before. I love it. The
>joints look great. I have never had a bad solder joint or a PTTL. I have had
>no difficulty whatsoever removing components for adding mods, etc. (OK, so
>I use a Hakko 808 for unsoldering.)
>
>In any case, it is somewhat disconcerting to discover that my K2 is now an
>outlaw because I used the recommended solder. 8-)
>
>You might want to consider separating your warning into those solders that
>are genuinely bad, such as those containing water soluble or acid fluxes,
>and those that are merely a bit trickier to remove.

In fact, I've already done that, in the document which will appear on the 
Elecraft web site.

When I was reformatting (to WinWord format, for Eric) the document for 
Eric, I realized that I was, at least a bit UNEVEN in my handling of the 
No-Clean solders. Particularly since Elecraft had, at one time, recommended 
the use of Kester No-Clean FOR the assembly of its kits.

It'd be pretty difficult for me, OR Elecraft for that matter, to place kits 
built with No-Clean Fluxed solders in the same basket as those assembled 
using Water-Soluable or Acid Fluxes... and, of course, they should NOT be 
included there either.

While Elecraft no longer recommends the use of No-Clean fluxed solders, 
kit's assembled using them WILL, of course, be accepted for service. And 
this is now specifically so stated in the document to appear on the 
elecraft web site.

Finally, Please allow me to insert comments recently received from Gary 
Surrency, Elecraft's Lead Tech...

 >The main problem I see with the no-clean solder, is that it wets the solder
 >connection so poorly, there is a tendency to apply more solder to get the
 >job done. Any oxides or finger oils on the wires or pads will interfere
 >with the fusing process.  I've used a lot of different solders, and I just
 >can't see using anything with minimal or weakly active flux - at least in a
 >kit environment.
 >
 >And I am the guy who usually has to work on these kits when the customer
 >can't get them to work.

So, the question is not only whether No-Clean solder's will work for kit 
building, but how well UNskilled builders might be able to use them, as 
opposed to RA/RMA fluxed solders, and how readily they can be serviced if 
the soldering produced by the use of No-Clean solder causes problems.

I _do_ appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

Tom Hammond  N0SS