I have two lots of solder as provided in plastic tubes. One has a green cap and a lead free label. One has a red cap and no label. Otherwise the containers look identical. Can I assume the red capped one is the good stuff? I don't want to faff about with the non-lead stuff and melt my circuit board which has at least one dry joint on a switch. Ta.
Thanks! I know I also have a loose coil of leaded somewhere but found these first. I suppose one might have flux core and other might not? I'll google later, off for a walk now between rain showers.
Magic, I was hoping you would see this. Yes I definitely want to use leaded, the question was more whether the red cap denoted leaded or was just random. Probably should have googled!
Electrical solder will have a flux core. Dunno about lead-free solder, as I have a couple of reels of lead solder that will see me out
Next question. Is a 15w iron suitable? It has a rather large worn tip on it at the moment but I have a (bent ) small one too. Thing is...I can't get it off. Am I supposed to slide that thingy away from the tip to loosen it? I wish there was someone I could hand it to, I don't have pcb soldering experience or much confidence - don't want to wreck my headphone amp.
What wattage would be better? Maybe I can borrow one from someone on the marina. Is the problem that I would need to hold it in place for so long it would melt the components? Perhaps a quick dab with more watts would be less time for heat transfer? I'm guessing.
A bit of damp sponge is useful for wiping your tip on to clean it. Then tin the tip with a bit of fresh solder before applying to the joint. You need to get the solder to flow, but not cook it. A smaller tip would be more suitable to circuit boards and connector wiring
I think I will procrastinate for a little longer, chat to my neighbours and see if one says " give it 'ere". Living on a marina is good for that kind of thing.
Yep, you need a decent iron for this, proper DC powered one, otherwise you'll risk damaging the PCB. The old adage about a workman blaming their tools needs restating for the modern era.