Solder for wiring

Israel Oct 25, 2005

  1. Israel

    Israel E-Mail Bounces

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    Please correct me if I'm wrong.

    The solder used for wiring isn't the same stuff as what's used for plumbing. I tried telling this to the knuckleheads at my local home depot and I just got blank stares and no help looking for 60/40 solder in their store. [​IMG]

    But I am correct in this, right??, a 50/50 or 95/5 solder is not the right solder for electrical work.

    And could someone tell where I can find 60/40 solder.

    Thanks,
    Israel
     
  2. caellis

    caellis TrainBoard Member

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    Yes you need 60/40 solder for electrical work.
    Radio-Shack is one place you can purchase 60/40 solder. It comes in several sizes (diameter). Get the smallest they have. I gave Radio-Shack as a source as they are in a lot of locations.
     
  3. Mike Sheridan

    Mike Sheridan TrainBoard Member

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    There are a lot of different alloys for electrical and plumbing. (Lead free is getting popular too)

    Don't worry about the XX/YY too much - the main things to look for with electrical is that it is a small size wire and that it is a multicored (flux) type.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    The kind of solder we use, is for electronics type work. So a place such as warehouse home supply most likely won't have it.

    I bought mine in a roll many years ago. From an electronics supplier. If there is no Radio Shack close by, ask at the local tv/electronics repair shop, or a computer repair. They may even have some available for sale. What they use on printed circuit boards, is the type and size you want.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  5. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    My Dad always used Kester's solder, acid core for soldering tanks and like galvanized iron structures, and rosin core for everything else including wiring. I still have a wooden spool of the rosin core that mikes out to .030" diameter. He always painted a thin film of paste flux on anything he used the rosin on.

    I have not bought any solder in over 20 years, so I am suspecting there must be a new kind of solder made today that has no lead in it. Does the new stuff require a torch like silver solder does? (I still have a few sticks of that 80% silver too).

    [ October 26, 2005, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: watash ]
     
  6. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

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    I'm using 60/40 rosin core, .032 dia. Got it at Radio Shack, works good. I have a tin of Heilmanns flux for the 50/50 stuff. Magic stuff that Heilmanns, an old-timer turned me on to it back when I was working in a fabrication shop. It's not for electrical work though.
     
  7. Israel

    Israel E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks Guys,

    Have a radio shack a few blocks from me.
     
  8. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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  9. MasonJar

    MasonJar TrainBoard Member

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    It is not so much the solder as the flux that you need to be sure of...

    Acid flux if for plumbing. Rosin is for electrical work. The acid flux will destroy the (relatively) delecate electrical connections over time.

    In either case, make sure you clean the joint after!

    Andrew
     
  10. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    My typo, it is .030" I have, but very old, we have been using this spool since the early 1940's. I think it is 60/40 but I am not sure. I guess that means 60% lead and 40% tin? It holds well and stays shiny a long time.

    There is probably less than 15 feet of this solder left, but I have another much smaller spool that is new, so wasn't worried until now.

    The flux is in what used to be a red can with silver letters, or white, but almost all paint is gone now. It looks like honey colored jelly. Usually a tooth pick gob flows all over twisted wires. LPS washes it right off clean.
     
  11. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    I use a very fine solder for electronic component connections.

    You can find this solder at Radio Shack. A tube full of electronics solder will last you for years,


    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  12. Israel

    Israel E-Mail Bounces

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    Again thanks everyone.

    Stopped at radio shack last night. Boy, could I spend an arm and leg in there with all the switches and LED's and the rest of the goodies they have in there.

    Oh and I got the solder and flux. :D .

    Will be trying my hand a soldering over the weekend.
    I have a 1'x4' little module that been in the pink foam stage for a few months that I built to be my learning curve piece. Got to start learning, the slightly better half is buying me a boat load of RR stuff for my B-day next month, so I can start my empire :D . I think she's sick of me whining.
     
  13. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Have fun with your soldering experience It's really very easy to do.

    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Israel-

    One suggestion. You might wish to first do a quick practice session. Use some scrap wire. And for soldering to track, take some pieces that are junk.

    Also, be sure you have some fresh air circulation.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  15. chessie

    chessie TrainBoard Supporter

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    Radio Shack was always a favorite place of mine as a kid... I guess I was (am?) a geek [​IMG]

    Harold
     
  16. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Watash, old friend, I remember as a kid finding a wooden spool of solder with a hole in the center like a straw, so I sucked on it. Don't know if it was acid or rosin, but it sure messed up my tongue. You younger guys might want to caution your kids about trying that. Of course, they are probably much smarter than I was. [​IMG]
     
  17. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Fitz:

    I don't recommend anyone try that procedure in this day and age.. :eek: [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     

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