Why Should We Clean Boards From Flux?

[vigilante398]

I primarily use Kester 331, which has conductive/corrosive flux residue per Kester's spec. It HAS to be cleaned or it will cause electrical problems. My typical workflow is to solder everything onto the board, solder on the wires for the offboard parts, then put the whole thing in a washing station then dry it in the oven for half an hour or so. Then I throw the board in the box, and everything that gets soldered after that I use Kester 44 for so I don't have to clean it.

 

[jhaneyzz]

You can always go with no clean flux! Hurry, one left at this price.... I got two pounds, works.

Kester Solder 24-6337-8801 / #245-No-Clean Flux / Sn63Pb37 63-37 /.031" / 2% | eBay

Kester 63-37 #245 Product Performance. • Concorde-Electronics is an Authorized Kester Solder distributor. Kester S pecifications "245" No-Clean Flux Solder will create visually acceptable assemblies without the need and expense of cleaning.

www.ebay.com

View attachment 47799

This shit is the bomb....

I switched to it a couple of weeks ago because some ancient dude recommended it... (well, at least 10% older than me)

 

[jhaneyzz]

I haven’t cleaned off any flux in the 11 years I’ve been doing this. I’m a rebel.

And a legend...

 

[jhaneyzz]

I primarily use Kester 331, which has conductive/corrosive flux residue per Kester's spec. It HAS to be cleaned or it will cause electrical problems. My typical workflow is to solder everything onto the board, solder on the wires for the offboard parts, then put the whole thing in a washing station then dry it in the oven for half an hour or so. Then I throw the board in the box, and everything that gets soldered after that I use Kester 44 for so I don't have to clean it.

 

[andare]

If being ugly was detrimental then half of us wouldn’t be breathing!

Speak for yourself. My mom, my male friends and women who have no sexual or romantic interest in me all say I'm beautiful.

 

[Feral Feline]

I bet there's a strong correlation between those who clean flux off and those who have a tidy organised pedal-build work-bench...

 

[vigilante398]

I bet there's a strong correlation between those who clean flux off and those who have a tidy organised pedal-build work-bench...

I can assure you there is not. I have two large workbenches for a total of about 25 ft² of workspace and the whole of it is perpetually covered in junk.

 

[Feral Feline]

There's always an exception to the rule.

 

[KR Sound]

I've sold a few commissioned pedals lately, and I'll definitely clean those. I get those "oh man, it's so clean!" responses and they are totally stoked. And I try to clean them if I take pictures to show off. Other than that, if it's just for me to mess around with I usually don't bother too much.

 

[Betty Wont]

I bet there's a strong correlation between those who clean flux off and those who have a tidy organised pedal-build work-bench...

I clean every spot of flux off, AND I don't even really have a workbench or anything to organize. Pictured is my entire pedal building business, which is on my desk at work.

Edit: missing from pic are one cordless hand drill with step bit and hookup wire. I’m out of wire.

 

[Erik S]

@Betty Wont - What are you using the loctite on?

 

[Betty Wont]

@Betty Wont - What are you using the loctite on?

Dc jacks mostly. The pot metal nuts sometimes don't fit well or strip the plastic threads, so I always hit them with a drop to make sure they don't spin.

 

[Harry Klippton]

I clean every spot of flux off, AND I don't even really have a workbench or anything to organize. Pictured is my entire pedal building business, which is on my desk at work.View attachment 47884

Incredible. I'd say this is goals but I don't have any goals that involve having a job

 

[Brett]

I primarily use Kester 331, which has conductive/corrosive flux residue per Kester's spec. It HAS to be cleaned or it will cause electrical problems. My typical workflow is to solder everything onto the board, solder on the wires for the offboard parts, then put the whole thing in a washing station then dry it in the oven for half an hour or so. Then I throw the board in the box, and everything that gets soldered after that I use Kester 44 for so I don't have to clean it.

To me, the biggest benefit of Kester 331 is that it's water-soluble and doesn't require chemical removal. My process is very similar to @vigilante398's, except that I use Kester 245 for the final parts that won't get washed. The 245 produces minimal flux residue, especially compared to "44", so I usually leave it alone.

 

[ThePanda]

@Betty Wont I like the minimal! But what do you use to hold the board while soldering?

 

[Betty Wont]

@Betty Wont I like the minimal! But what do you use to hold the board while soldering?

Gravity. If it’s a light or tiny board, the pinky of my solder feeding hand.

 

[Betty Wont]

To me, the biggest benefit of Kester 331 is that it's water-soluble and doesn't require chemical removal. My process is very similar to @vigilante398's, except that I use Kester 245 for the final parts that won't get washed. The 245 produces minimal flux residue, especially compared to "44", so I usually leave it alone.

I don’t usually use solvents to remove the flux. It chips off cleanly in seconds with prodding of the tip of a little awl. I use the one on a Swiss Army knife or the type that come in eyeglass repair kits. I can completely clean both sides of a standard 125b pcb in about 2 minutes. It’s especially useful for the top of the pcb joints that are soldered after installation. If is a really big pcb I’ll use a couple of alcohol wipes to clean the solder side.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

Gravity. If it’s a light or tiny board, the pinky of my solder feeding hand.

Same, I only use holding devices for desoldering/ removal.

 

[Feral Feline]

Gravity. If it’s a light or tiny board, the pinky of my solder feeding hand.

Do you drink a lot of tea?

Love your minimalism.

 

[Betty Wont]

Do you drink a lot of tea?

Love your minimalism.

Two on the solder, one on the fodder.