• ChaoticNeutralCzech
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    356 months ago

    If you have problems, you should probably add flux (make sure to extract fumes if soldering with flux for a while). Some say there is never enough flux.

    • AggressivelyPassive
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      316 months ago

      They don’t want you to know, but you can extract all the fumes and flavors using only your nose!

      Seriously though, flux fumes do have a somewhat nice smell to them.

      • ChaoticNeutralCzech
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        136 months ago

        Depends on brand. And my head always hurts after inhaling them for more than a minute without a fume extractor. (I just use a PC fan and some old who-knows-what HEPA-like filter discarded from ventilation equipment. For quick jobs, I hold my breath and/or move out of the way.)

      • ChaoticNeutralCzech
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        27
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        6 months ago

        What it looks like: You shat all over the board.
        What it smells like: Nasty chemicals but only when hot.
        What it does: it helps distribute heat, and causes the solder to be less viscuous and stick to metals readily.
        What it feels like to start using it: Wow, it’s like I just gained one year of soldering experience!
        What it feels like to remove it from the board after soldering: Aargh… I swear, one more board and I go buy an ultrasonic cleaner. (Some brands are easier but I usually need to employ a spudger, brush, then alcohol annd Q-tip)

        Note that some solder comes with a core that contains flux or some similar substance of that effect.

      • @[email protected]
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        186 months ago

        Cleans and keeps the solder points clean. Prevents oxygen from reaching the solder joint

        • @Blue_Morpho
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          116 months ago

          This is the best answer. It removes oxides which allows the solder to flow and bond with the metal.

      • @[email protected]
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        36 months ago
        1. It removes the oxide layer from existing surfaces so the solder sticks and flows better
        2. It increases surface tension of the liquid solder so you get a nice round shape and no whiskers and less bridges
        3. It helps distribute the heat a bit. It works a little bit like thermal paste, especially when the contact area between the tip and the pad/component is very small.

        Generally, flux is your friend and soldering without flux is terrible.

      • @[email protected]
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        36 months ago

        It makes the tin non sticky. Heat up a blob of solder for a minute or so to evaporate the flux and then try working with it.

        • @[email protected]
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          66 months ago

          It may seem like it melts easier since the parts have better thermal contact. But the melting point is intrinsic to the metal alloy

    • @weeeeum
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      46 months ago

      Remember that all the flux you use will need to be cleaned off eventually. That can sometimes be a pain if there’s a lot.