Why Should We Clean Boards From Flux?
- Thread starter BuddytheReow
- Start date
finebyfine
Well-known member
You don't love the smell of brain cells dying?
What is wrong with you!
I can't imagine flux fumes aren't bad too, but at least they smell decent bahahaha
peccary
Well-known member
I do it because I like the way it looks (as in - it doesn't look like someone blew their nose all over it) and because it's pretty much the first step in ensuring that I don't have any issues with a build (especially since I bend the legs out to hold the components in place). Once I clean the bottom of the PCB I put on my magnifier headset and inspect the entire thing for bridges and to touch up any joints that I don't like the look of.
I also do it as a point of pride in my finished product and in craftsmanship in general - I really enjoy building pedals and I want to make sure that whatever I put out there is as good as can possibly make it in the moment.
I also do it as a point of pride in my finished product and in craftsmanship in general - I really enjoy building pedals and I want to make sure that whatever I put out there is as good as can possibly make it in the moment.
BuddytheReow
Breadboard Baker
Scrub it again! You may have to do it a few times to get a super clean board
Betty Wont
Well-known member
I’m telling you guys, use the dry method of removal if the flux has cooled. It comes off clean in one swipe with solvent while it’s still warm, but after it’s set, physical removal is fast and super clean with no sticky residue.
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What's the dry method?
Betty Wont
Well-known member
I use a small metal awl. Like what comes in an eye glass repair kit or mini screwdriver. It chips off cleanly in big flakes leaving nothing behind. Canned air to blow off the flakes and good to go with no goo.
owlexifry
Well-known member
i use this fella.
this one single tool has surprisingly been the most useful thing i have on my desk.
it does everything:
- the ultimate prod, when your stubby fingers can't reach tight spots and you need to manipulate something.
- vero builds, perfect for scraping between the tracks
- poking under the board to get pots and switches to seat into holes
- the curvy tip will firmly hold a pesky 16mm pot in place while you screw the nut on.
- that curvy tip can reach things i never thought possible with a hand tool.
- oh no, my wiring got bent and messy - doesn't matter, the straight tip will mash anything into a straight line
Is that the proper use of that straight pointy tip to scrap off solder?? Lol
That's my favorite tool but I never knew...
BuddytheReow
Breadboard Baker
Pretty sure my dentist has one of those
Betty Wont
Well-known member
You don’t want it TOO sharp though. And use an undermine motion to avoid scratching the soldermask.
owlexifry
Well-known member
true, but i don't think i have used it on a PCB yet. I've actually only done x4 PCB builds ever (from here). Building those x4 gave me enough confidence to go and try vero. For whatever reason, I derive great satisfaction from vero builds, and when I talk about that, everyone seems to look/respond at me funny like i've been dropped on my head at birth.. sometimes it almost feels like I don't belong here, I probably appear to be some cheap ass that doesn't support the 'brand' or something, but I really enjoy this community.
(I like PCB builds. but shipping to australia is bonkers. eg. for basic overdrive circuits etc. it's not very encouraging when you just want to try a couple, only to get slogged USD$20 for shipping and then wait over a month for the boards to arrive - or I can just build them on vero whenever I want)
having said that, with the huge amount of releases here lately, I've got x5 boards sitting in the cart atm and I'm just waiting on that big drop that everyone else is waiting for (SLO) so I can go all in and commence a slog of pedalpcb builds
Fama
Well-known member
FWIW I totally understand building on vero, and I've done a couple simple circuits myself. But the thing is, I'm lazy. I don't want to build anything big on vero, it takes much more work and if you mess up, I feel like troubleshooting is harder. Pots and such are simpler with a PCB too. But I would never disparage anyone who loves building on vero - I think it's more personal and harder, so I think it should command more respect.true, but i don't think i have used it on a PCB yet. I've actually only done x4 PCB builds ever (from here). Building those x4 gave me enough confidence to go and try vero. For whatever reason, I derive great satisfaction from vero builds, and when I talk about that, everyone seems to look/respond at me funny like i've been dropped on my head at birth.. sometimes it almost feels like I don't belong here, I probably appear to be some cheap ass that doesn't support the 'brand' or something, but I really enjoy this community.
(I like PCB builds. but shipping to australia is bonkers. eg. for basic overdrive circuits etc. it's not very encouraging when you just want to try a couple, only to get slogged USD$20 for shipping and then wait over a month for the boards to arrive - or I can just build them on vero whenever I want)
having said that, with the huge amount of releases here lately, I've got x5 boards sitting in the cart atm and I'm just waiting on that big drop that everyone else is waiting for (SLO) so I can go all in and commence a slog of pedalpcb builds
I feel you about shipping even though it's nowhere near as bad to EU. But tbh I don't mind waiting a month (or however long it takes), I can build something else in the meantime.
Edit: For example, I feel like building the Pot and Kettle on vero would be a nightmare for me with the 5 pots and 3 toggles. But I could totally do the Texas Treble/Texas Twanger on vero since it was so simple (plus I messed up when figuring out how to do it and vero would have been easier for the pot and toggle anyway).
Cybercow
Well-known member
That's an interesting assembly board. Can you provide some more info about it?
It is the Omnifixo helping hands. My friend told me about it. It's pretty dope.
That one is 90x180cm and you can combine, stack, move the arms whatever way you want. They are static when you move so are able to be angled and stay that way. They can also be a ground to the board.
I was getting frustrated with my helping hands with the tentacle arms and the old classic one I wasn't going to spend money on.
The magnets on the tentacle one was too strong and hard to move. The clips themselves cut into wires. The Omnifixo doesn't do that.
I also bought a circuit board holder as well but got frustrated with it.
Here is their video showing the features:
Erik S
Well-known member
That's sexy.
ICTRock
Well-known member
People waste time on this? How bad at soldering are you?
