Lead solder has been outlawed for a while now as it¡¯s poisonous when equipment is discarded and leaches into the ground. It generally has a lower melting point and it¡¯s also more stable and a bit softer, which is why I prefer it, but ROHS laws in Europe prohibit its use in new products.?
Kester is very good but be prepared to pay more than you expect for decent solder. It¡¯s well worth it and reduces time in contact and heating of the component.?
Some capsules come with pre-tinned pads, some don¡¯t.?
I use 0.7mm 60/40 2.2% flux, but there are probably many other options that would work equally well.?
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On 8 Nov 2023, at 09:42, Joe Todd <jjthaden@...> wrote:
?Hi, original poster here.
Big thanks to Jan, Jack and others for addressing my capsule heat-damage concerns. I can approach my "sky-mic" project with greater confidence.
Remaining questions:?
Solder: By "leaded", is it meant "low-temperature"? Different lead percentages? Best solder wire gauge? Resin-core? Acid-core? Solid? Brand/Model recommebdations?
Capsule pads/solder joints: Do most or all capsules espoused on MicBuilders come with pretinned pads? Will Jan's "scratch off the oxide" preliminary step resolve a mentioned incompatibility with low-temperature (leaded?) solder? Or is it just that tip temperature must be high enough to also soften the pretinning?
Thanks again!
-John T
?sky-facing bird-call mic projecteer
On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 12:46 AM, j.postma8@...
<j.postma8@...> wrote:
Something to secure your capsule while soldering certainly helps. For small parts, I often use self-closing tweezers. But that may not work too well for round capsules. But maybe it works when grabbing the capsule between front and back side?
Leaded solder should als work, provide you also reduce tip temperature at the same time. Say, between 320 an 350C max. And you'll want a good, temperature controlled soldering station. Professionally and for hobby use, I use JBC. By a miles distance the best you can get. You don't believe it until you have worked with it and have compared it side by side with eg Weller or Pace. Yes, they are expensive. But you can buy a JBC clone, eg the GVM T245 on Aliexpress and use with genuine JBC tips. Aliexpress tips often break down quickly and do not solder as well as genuine JBC.
Last tip: scratch off the oxide layer from the solder joints on the capsule before soldering. The thin oxide layer acts as a heat barrier.
Good luck!
Jan
L
