[Elecraft] Need construction hints/advice

[Tom Hammond]

Stuart Rohre, K5KVH, wrote:
>Actually, in some 45 years of use, I have found Multicore Solders to be the
>easiest and most consistent to use.  I have used SavBit alloy by Multicore
>at work in a variety of gauges.   For K2 soldering, you do not want too
>large a solder for best clean looking joints.   The gauge I used was  20
>SWG, 0.036 in.

... snip ...

>The choice of a solder is the key along with clean right sized tip, and
>adequate heat, with tip wiping in between joints, are all the keys to shiny
>bright joints each time you solder.  Use a clean sponge and clean water on
>your soldering station or iron, to wipe the tip against the wet sponge in
>between several joints.  The 63/37 Multicore solder is one I like, but the
>SavBit 60/40 is OK as well.

I must agree with Stuart here, but I'd go one step further and urge you to 
use a smaller diameter solder, say 0.20" or 0.25" diameter. Here's why:

When soldering components into a PC board which utilized plated-thru holes 
(PTH) as do the Elecraft PC boards, it is not necessary to create fillets 
of solder on the top OR the bottom of the PC board. In fact, all you need 
to do is to FILL the plated-thru hole with solder.

It has been my experience that when using .035" diameter solder (and I used 
it for the past 30 years), as soon as I touch the solder to the tip of the 
iron and the component lead, the small bit of solder which melts at that 
point often tends to be more than that required to merely fill the hole in 
the board. While the amount which melts causes no big problem, it generally 
is more than required. Especially of we're trying to flush-cut component 
leads, we don't need to be having to flush-cut thru a fillet of solder.

Now don't get me wrong, there are those of us who CAN mete out just the 
right amount of solder (even .035" diameter solder) to just fill the PC 
board hole, but to do so, one must have cat-like reflexes (<G>).

When using smaller diameter solders, I find that my (much slower) reflexes 
allow me to apply a small amount of solder and then to add just a tad bit 
more if the situation calls for it. When I was using the slightly larger 
diameter solders, I NEVER had to luxury of adding solder... it was always 
there for me ahead of time.

If you find you can easily apply just the right amount of larger diameter 
solder, then by all means, go fer it! But if you feel you're having 
problems, then consider using a smaller diameter solder. By the way, R/S 
offers .020" diameter in small tubes, so you can try it out for a lot less 
investment than that required for a 1-pound roll.

Multi-Core solder IS a very good brand, and does do a fine job for builders.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS