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[PCeBiker]

Maybe you're doing this, don't know, but I do XT60's and most other large connections by tinning the wire first, then filling the terminal on the connector with solder. While it's still hot and applying heat from the iron, you slip in the tinned wire, hold it there for a few seconds then remove the heat.

Yup.
I figured that out the hard way after melting the insulation off a bunch or wire by not using a hot enough soldering iron and not tinning the connections first.

What sucks for me is the lack of lead in the new solder.
I suck at soldering with the new lead free solder.

60/40 tin/lead electronics solder with resin core (not acid) is getting hard to find.

We used to hold the lead core solder in our mouths in school to leave two hands free to line up the parts to be soldered.

I managed to get this battery connector cable soldered up after some practice,..

 

[6zfshdb]

What sucks for me is the lack of lead in the new solder.
I suck at soldering with the new lead free solder.

60/40 tin/lead electronics solder with resin core (not acid) is getting hard to find.

I hear you. There is no comparison to 60/40, it applies smooth as butter.

I laid in a large supply years ago before the ban. I sold a lot of it on eBay for a ridiculous price but now I wish I'd held on to it. I'm down to my last 2 spools:

Hopefully, it will last and I won't have to learn to use the lead free stuff.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Easily found on the black market... aka.. Aliexpress
I like the thin fo_shizzle.. Below 1mm for fast melting

 

[Gionnirocket]

Maybe you're doing this, don't know, but I do XT60's and most other large connections by tinning the wire first, then filling the terminal on the connector with solder. While it's still hot and applying heat from the iron, you slip in the tinned wire, hold it there for a few seconds then remove the heat.

To this method I add a damp small sponge to the outside of the XT60 shell held in place with small rubber bands to keep it from deforming. Once soldered I quickly mate the matching end to be sure the pins remain true.

 

[PCeBiker]

I like the thin fo_shizzle.. Below 1mm for fast melting

Yeah, me too.
The fatter stuff just puddles and drips for me, and it's too hard to solder tiny electronics.
Luckily I don't do much soldering so the lead stuff I have should last me for years.

 

[ireneesankey]

I hear you. There is no comparison to 60/40, it applies smooth as butter.

I laid in a large supply years ago before the ban. I sold a lot of it on eBay for a ridiculous price but now I wish I'd held on to it. I'm down to my last 2 spools:

View attachment 153576

Hopefully, it will last and I won't have to learn to use the lead free stuff.

This really is a rarity, I have now spent the last box I had for several years and tried something new but it doesn't 'work' for me, now I don't know what to do, I've looked everywhere and can't find anything like this((((

 

[6zfshdb]

This really is a rarity, I have now spent the last box I had for several years and tried something new but it doesn't 'work' for me, now I don't know what to do, I've looked everywhere and can't find anything like this((((

eBay is always a good bet:

Kester Solder 40/60 Stearine .125 Dia. 5 LB Roll Core 66 Wire for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kester Solder 40/60 Stearine .125 Dia. 5 LB Roll Core 66 Wire at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Gionnirocket]

eBay is always a good bet:

Kester Solder 40/60 Stearine .125 Dia. 5 LB Roll Core 66 Wire for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kester Solder 40/60 Stearine .125 Dia. 5 LB Roll Core 66 Wire at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

That's 40/60
Isn't 60/40 preferred?

 

[PCeBiker]

That's 40/60
Isn't 60/40 preferred?

I remember that the ratio is 60/40, but I forget which is which.

I know soldering copper works best with 60/40 and soldering steel works best with 50/50.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I remember that the ratio is 60/40, but I forget which is which.

I know soldering copper works best with 60/40 and soldering steel works best with 50/50.

60 tin / 40 lead as I know it
They actually make a 63/37 which is also popular

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

I've bought several spools of solder from craigslist. I also traded something for several other spools. I have enough to outlast my kids. Leadfree solder sucks, it doesn't wick properly to remove it, and it can create tin whiskers under certain conditions causing electronic failures. I believe that Tin Whiskers with lead free solder is why electronic devices don't last more than 10 years now. Especially with as tight as PCB's are getting and the closeness of chip legs. It doesn't take long for the whiskers to short things out. That with the fact that lead free solder has a tendency to crack easier.

 

[6zfshdb]

That's 40/60
Isn't 60/40 preferred?

Depends on what you're soldering. Here's 60/40 if you prefer:

Vintage Kester "44" Flux Resin Core Solder .040 60/40 | eBay

<p>Vintage Kester "44" Flux Resin Core Solder .040 60/40. The item is marked as having 7 Oz remaining but I do not know if this is accurate. The item appears to be near full but see the pictures to make your own determination. For additional questions or pictures please reach out. </p>

www.ebay.com

 

[Gionnirocket]

Depends on what you're soldering. Here's 60/40 if you prefer:

Vintage Kester "44" Flux Resin Core Solder .040 60/40 | eBay

<p>Vintage Kester "44" Flux Resin Core Solder .040 60/40. The item is marked as having 7 Oz remaining but I do not know if this is accurate. The item appears to be near full but see the pictures to make your own determination. For additional questions or pictures please reach out. </p>

www.ebay.com

Yes!
I don't believe 40/60 is recommended for electrical connections.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

I found this about 25 years ago in the roadway of an old bridge that was later blown up and replaced. I haven't weighed it, but it's about 12 pounds. It's well established as a go-to solution for a lot of things. It makes square pegs go in round holes!

TT

 

[m@Robertson]

I found this about 25 years ago in the roadway of an old bridge that was later blown up and replaced. I haven't weighed it, but it's about 12 pounds. It's well established as a go-to solution for a lot of things. It makes square pegs go in round holes!
View attachment 154334View attachment 154335

TT

I'm guessing Leon was not a man to trifle with.

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

I'm guessing Leon was not a man to trifle with.

Everyone thinks that Jim Croce was singing about Leroy brown, but it was actually Leon Brown.

 

[ruffruff]

I know Leon! I have a picture of him!

 

[Gionnirocket]

He's swinging more than one hamer.

 

[tomjasz]

To this method I add a damp small sponge to the outside of the XT60 shell held in place with small rubber bands to keep it from deforming. Once soldered I quickly mate the matching end to be sure the pins remain true.

Aluminum Soldering Jig for RC Connectors (Bullet, XT60, XT90, Dean's, Mini-T/T, More++)

 

[PedalUma]

Here is another tool that helps, it is very old, but still works.
There was this thing about the first Nautilus equipment that made the stronger arm bigger.