Solder

[worz]

Hi all recommend me a decent solder for use on nac a5 and naim plugs ,cheers

 

[Tony L]

I’d just use standard 60/40 rosin-cored lead solder. You want something that flows nicely, so that rules out lead-free or audiophile silver nonsense!

 

[Confirm74]

It is important you use decent soldering iron with high wattage

 

[worz]

I did manage to do a couple but solder was very dull but it did flow ok ,

 

[JensenHealey]

If you are soldering occasionally, then old style solder is easier to deal with to make a good job.

 

[Radford Revival]

This is probably pretty close to what would be considered the 'quintessential solder': https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder/1796662/

1.2mm 60/40 with Rosin flux. Bonus points for multicore branded but the RS pro is apparently cheaper. I have used RS pro branded solder (different flux type however) and wherever it comes from it actually makes superb joints (as good as multicore) so I can recommend it.

 

[stevec67]

Ersin multicore is the industry standard. There are others but if you can get a metre of it posted to your door for £2 then that's you done and what's left can go in a drawer for 20 years until the next job.

 

[Arkless Electronics]

I can't say I've noticed any real differences between brands of rosin cored 60/40 solder.

 

[David W Brown]

RS555-235 is my go to flavour du jour for most jobs - just out of habit I guess and what I'm used to. 183°C melting point - so kinder to plugs and things mounted in plastic if you're not a seasoned metal melter. As Jez sez you can't really go wrong with any old 60/40 for daily use. A little OTT for the OP though ;-)

 

[mansr]

This is what I got most recently: https://uk.farnell.com/duratool/spc22132/solder-wire-63-37-sn-pb-183-deg/dp/2527481

 

[Barrymagrec]

RS555-235 is my go to flavour du jour for most jobs - just out of habit I guess and what I'm used to. 183°C melting point - so kinder to plugs and things mounted in plastic if you're not a seasoned metal melter. As Jez sez you can't really go wrong with any old 60/40 for daily use. A little OTT for the OP though ;-)

That`s king expensive compared with the last time I bought it - is lead imported from the EU or something?

 

[chartz]

All the same to me.
I don’t like silver or copper solders. I like my solders shiny bright!

 

[David W Brown]

That`s king expensive compared with the last time I bought it - is lead imported from the EU or something?

Heh.... It is 500g so about 20 miles of solder per reel ;-) I think since RoHS they've been sneaking lead solder up in price whenever they get a chance.

 

[davidsrsb]

Whatever you do, don't try lead free on a DIN socket. The plastic will melt

 

[mansr]

Whatever you do, don't try lead free on a DIN socket. The plastic will melt

There is low-temperature (138 °C) tin-bismuth solder. Not cheap, though.

 

[Mr Pig]

I think technique is more important than the type of solder. If you don't do it right you'll have problems with the best solder in the world. I got some eutectic solder a while back and quite like it but 60/40 is fine too.

 

[puroagave]

TRT Wonder solder. Highly-eutectic and has been vetted countless times by golden ear types that claim they hear a dif. I just like the fact it melts easily and gives professional results with great elec/mech properties. Ive been using the stuff for 30+ years now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-feet-Sol...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[mansr]

TRT Wonder solder. Highly-eutectic and has been vetted countless times by golden ear types that claim they hear a dif. I just like the fact it melts easily and gives professional results with great elec/mech properties. Ive been using the stuff for 30+ years now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-feet-Sol...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Seems a bit on the pricey side.

 

[martin clark]

I think technique is more important than the type of solder. If you don't do it right you'll have problems with the best solder in the world. I got some eutectic solder a while back and quite like it but 60/40 is fine too.

Half the technique - other than obviously being scrupulous about cleaning & tinning the iron's bit and the parts - on things like soldering speaker cables and very esp. with NACA5 and similar large CSA cables - just use a bloody big soldering iron, 30-40w min.
The ability to deliver a lot of heat, enough power to quickly to make/remove the joint, will always do less damage than an underpowered iron held in contact, in vain.
It's a common theme discussed in the DIY area here.

 

[martin clark]

(& yes - I've used my 30w iron to make up DIN plug cables for the same reason. once everything is ready - it is one-dab, done. Clean, fast, and not enough heat transferred to damage either the spindly core insulation nor pin housing. Strange but true.)