[Elecraft] solder / lamp

[Don Wilhelm]

Don,

I suggest you invest in a spool of good solder.  My preference is a 
63/37 alloy (eutectic) which will be the lowest melting point solder - 
but more important it has no plastic state, it goes from a liquid to a 
solid with no plastic state in between.  That is the cure for what we 
used to know as "cold solder joints" which were actually crystallized 
solder connections that created intermittent joints.

I suggest Kester 285 solder in the 37/63 alloy mix.  A diameter of 0.20 
is a good compromise between a decent feed rate and getting too much 
solder on the connection before you know what is happening.

I can make no recommendations about the magnifying lamp question other 
than to say that I cannot deal with those magnifying lamps.   I have a 
hand magnifier that is helpful for seeing those tiny markings on the 
capacitors, but for the most part, I do not use any magnifier for 
thru-hole parts.  For SMD, I do use an Optovisor.  Choose the 
magnfication carefully - some powers require that you place the 
soldering iron at your nose - not a comfortable situation. Choose 
carefully, and try several different diopters at a hamfest (if you are 
able) before making a decision about which is best for you.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/8/2011 8:29 PM, Don Baucom wrote:
> I ordered a K2 today. Can someone tell me a specific vendor and solder that
> would be good to use. I was also wondering if anyone has a good idea for a
> cheap magnifying lamp. I have the static mat and strap from my K1 build.
> Anything else I might need?
>
>
> 73
> Don
> K4YND
>
>
>
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