been soldering parts on a home etched pc board but the joints look dull, not bright.
I know how to solder but?
could it be that the solder is lead free?
even tried the silver solder stuff, smaller solder etc.
saw some tin coating one can apply to home etched boards for better? solderability but does it really help??
I spray a very light coat of conformal coating over the copper after etching. It keeps the air away from the traces and they will not oxidize. The coating rapidly burns away when soldering. If you make the coat to heavy you can remove it with an abrasive pad or paint thinner.
You can also get dull joints if you keep reflowing the solder, i.e. if you feel you didn't get it right the first time and just jam the iron back into the blob to get it where you want it.
the flux spray looks good, need to locate in states.
One of the problems is the board was never coated after etching.
A conformal coating? need to research.
hopfully the pocket eq will work as there are several questionable areas of solder joints.
Purchased some flux from Radio shack yesterday(yes we are using rosin core solder.
will be coating the next 2 home etched boards.
thanks all
the flux spray looks good, need to locate in states.
One of the problems is the board was never coated after etching.
A conformal coating? need to research.
hopfully the pocket eq will work as there are several questionable areas of solder joints.
Purchased some flux from Radio shack yesterday(yes we are using rosin core solder.
will be coating the next 2 home etched boards.
thanks all
The thin film of oxidation on my home made boards is removed with a little rubbing with an art eraser, just before soldering. When the copper is shiny then they are ready.
Newer had any problems, when using this easy (and cheap) process.
It looks like this spray is nothing but rosin dissolved in alcohol, because the instructions says apply to board immediately after etching, in other words before it oxidizes.
the flux spray looks good, need to locate in states.
One of the problems is the board was never coated after etching.
A conformal coating? need to research.
hopfully the pocket eq will work as there are several questionable areas of solder joints.
Purchased some flux from Radio shack yesterday(yes we are using rosin core solder.
will be coating the next 2 home etched boards.
thanks all
Dr Deb jee,
Try to get the oxidized board cleaned with 3M scratch pads (sold at every shop in India) wipe it with spirit. immediately you will be able to solder with normal resin core unless the type you are using is 50:50 or 40:60
please ensure that the lead used is of good make and of 60:40 . after soldering you may apply aerosol conformal coat.
As indicated by 3v0, an ink eraser works well to clean oxidized copper tracks and solder islands.
you said ".............need to locate in states"
where are you located as of now?
The eraser thing is fine if you finish the board. I then to jump from project and a coated board has nice bright traces when you come back to it after a while.
I was thinking a spray with a bit of flux in the mix could be even better. Always trying to improve the process.
I do not know that cooking up this spray flux is a DIY thing.
The eraser thing is fine if you finish the board. I then to jump from project and a coated board has nice bright traces when you come back to it after a while.
I was thinking a spray with a bit of flux in the mix could be even better. Always trying to improve the process.
I do not know that cooking up this spray flux is a DIY thing.
@3v0,
i was quoting part of Mr DEB's post and asked . Now I am confused, as you are many of the issues . I well know 3v0 is from us and I was fondly watching many of your posts on the Junebug assembly mega issue. In fact Me DEB , As per my imagination, could be at Mumbai (Bombay) in India.
Thats part of the 47 states
yes there are only 47? states
some are still commonwelths.
In Salmon, Idaho
3 hours from any big city w/ a Home depot or Staples.
We do have a Radio Shack that sells tires, glass shop and Radio Shack all in one building.
Need to locate supply of that spray