[Elecraft] Solder and flux

[Jeremiah McCarthy]

>>I solder at 800F with a Weller temp-controlled iron and have a little 
tub of "Kesler 44" rosin flux on the bench. When reheating a joint I 
take an Exacto knife with the number 11 blade(the pointed triangular one 
that is also good for removing splinters, self-mutilation, etc.) and 
just dip the point about 1 or 2 mm into the goo...about as much as a 
pile and a half of fly poop...if you are familiar with that... and apply 
it to the soldering point before heating.<<

An excellent method...In the absence of rosin flux, remember that fresh solder contains flux...Reheat the reluctant joint with a clean, hot iron then just TOUCH the tip-joint juncture with fresh solder and the joint will quickly liquify, allowing whatever rework is necessary, be it the removal of excess solder or eliminating a cold joint...

Having better means at my disposal, I seldom use solder wick, but I find that it works best if you lay the wick down over the joint, place the clean, hot iron on top of that, and then add a dab of fresh solder...Wait a second or two for things to flow and the wick will usually suck up all the excess...

Jerry, wa2dkg