soldering irons!

[Eagle]

This definitely didn't get enough attention. The biggest improvement I noticed with my own soldering was when I switched from 4% silver unleaded to 60/40 leaded. So much easier to work with and my joints looked much better.

Makes most difference. With modern unleaded you need a really hot iron and be quick with good practices , tin and prep everything ready. The flux in some solder is just shit so watch out for that or solder with no flux. Multicore 60/40 all the way.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Makes most difference. With modern unleaded you need a really hot iron and be quick with good practices , tin and prep everything ready. The flux in some solder is just shit so watch out for that or solder with no flux. Multicore 60/40 all the way.

When I started learning to solder I wasted so much time trying to get regular unleaded to work it wasn't even funny. My technique obviously sucked because I was learning, but my iron also wasn't hot enough so I never stood a chance really.

Switching to the 4% silver stuff worked much better and I stuck with that for a year or two. Once I finally tried decent 60/40 everything just clicked and my joints looked the way I'd always wanted them to.

 

[Chocol8]

I like the Kester 63/37 over 60/40. It solidifies faster and is even easier to work with than the 60/40. If you can get it where you are, its worth a try.

 

[newholland]

This definitely didn't get enough attention. The biggest improvement I noticed with my own soldering was when I switched from 4% silver unleaded to 60/40 leaded. So much easier to work with and my joints looked much better.

interesting! i always use silver bearing and definitely hate the stuff unless its a tiny fricken thing. haveta grab some of that!