That time I tried to solder without flux and learned my lesson the hard way

I used to think flux was optional when I was 19 fixing old game consoles in my parents' basement. Figured if the solder had a rosin core that was good enough. So I tried reflowing a cracked joint on a Sega Genesis power jack and it just balled up like water on a greasy pan. After three failed attempts I finally caved and bought a little tin of flux paste for like $4 at RadioShack. Night and day difference the stuff actually stuck and flowed into the joint. Now I won't even touch an iron without flux nearby. Anyone else stubbornly skip basic steps when they first started tinkering?

2 comments

2 Comments

lucas1651d ago

I actually see it a little different. I've fixed a ton of old game consoles and stereos using just the rosin core solder and never had issues with joints balling up. The trick is making sure the iron tip is clean and tinned and the pad is hot enough. That being said, a dirty or oxidized board definitely needs extra flux. But for basic reflowing on clean pads, I've had fine results skipping the extra paste.

karen_sanchez101d ago

Clean pads" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there though, how often are boards actually that clean?