High Quality Solder Suggestions?

[dawson]

I've been using the cheapest solder I can find for a while but I'm learning that if I want the best sounding results, "dirt cheap" can't be my #1 priority when purchasing building materials. If anyone would like to suggest their favorite brands of solder for working on PCB's, I would much appreciate it.

Oh, and I don't have any lead restrictions to worry about.

Thanks a lot for any input!

 

[Robert]

I've been using Kester 44 for about two years now. It gives nice mirror-like fillets without any extra flux.

 

[BurntFingers]

I use Stannol. German made. Wonderful stuff.

 

[dawson]

I've been using Kester 44 for about two years now. It gives nice mirror-like fillets without any extra flux.

Sounds like magic.

I just ordered some Kester 44- thanks for the suggestion!

I use Stannol. German made. Wonderful stuff.

Nice- I'll have to try that next- thanks!

Stunning photography as well.

 

[cooder]

I use Stannol. German made. Wonderful stuff.

View attachment 9039

Where do you source that from please?

 

[Gordo]

+1 on the Kester 44. I just started using it a week ago and am really impressed.

 

[fig]

+1 Kester
Using Radio Shack .032 currently. Works fine.

 

[BurntFingers]

Where do you source that from please?

From Mr positive.

 

[peccary]

I've been using the Kester "no clean" solder, which works very well, but have some 44 coming to try out. The "no clean" stuff is nice to use, but I took "no clean" to mean "no mess", which is certainly isn't. That plus the flux make for a sticky mess that takes quite a while to clean up. Hoping the 44 will be better and that I can come to rely on flux less often as I gain experience, though I think a higher powered iron will be the biggest help.

 

[duffy_lane]

Is this the Kester 44 y'all are referring to? Looks like this one should be 0.6mm
Amazon link to Kester 44

 

[basilisk]

@duffy_lane Kester 44 is the flux type, and they make over 50 different alloy/diameter combinations, both in leaded and lead-free, so pick whatever you like. 0.8mm 63/37 (search for 24-6337-0027) is probably the most frequently recommended solder.