Re: solder

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

Plumbing solder is typically 50/50 tin/lead (or even stranger, now that
they're trying to use lead free solder for plumbing) which melts at a much
higher temperature than 63/37 tin/lead (so called eutectic).  However, the
real problem is the flux... plumbing solder doesn't have any, since you
usually swab or brush on the flux (some fairly corrosive stuff that will cut
through the copper oxide.. Ammonium chloride or zinc chloride are popular).

Electronic solder usually uses rosin, or some similar substance for a flux.
This is a good thing, because it is non-corrosive, so the flux that
inevitably stays behind won't slowly eat away at your delicate little wires.
The flux is usually in the core of the solder, so it's right there when you
need it.

I would imagine that you can find 1 and 5 lb spools of decent electronic
solder on Ebay...  Or, are you looking for hundreds of pounds for your wave
soldering machine...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 3:52 PM
Subject: Re: solder


> Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>
>
> Tesla list wrote:
> >
> > Original poster: "Loudner, Godfrey by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <gloudner-at-SINTE.EDU>
> >
> > Hello All
> >
> > Can plumbing solder be used to make electrical connections or is
electrical
> > grade really necessary. I'm going on ebay to look for  big spools of
solder.
> >
> > Godfrey Loudner
>
> Plumbing solder isn't necessarily satisfactory.  Stick to regular 63-37
> "electrical" solder and you'll be happier.
>
> Ed
>
>
>