okay so I’ve been building a wee esquire. It’s looking pretty good - MJT body, allparts custom neck, bare knuckle country boy and an oil city eldred harness. I had originally planned to put it into a shop to be wired but thought what the heck I’ll learn it myself. Anyways long story short I’m looking for advice and recommendations for good quality solder for the job. I’ve seen online that silver bearing rosin solder is the best bet and to avoid lead but I’m not seeing a lot of silver solder around to buy. I’m open to advice or recommendations (inc links where I can get the good stuff). Cheers folks
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Lead solder is easier to work with, as it melts at a lower temperature and flows better than lead free solder. To use lead free with the minimum amount of hassle, you have to make sure everything is clean, you ideally need a temperature controlled soldering iron, and you have to be quite proficient to avoid spikes (too much heat for too long makes them more likely to happen)
For general use, just search on ebay for 'solder wire', then take your pick between tin/lead, or lead free. For general use, just get something from a seller with good feedback.
Don't get their - or anyone else's - plain lead-free solder, it's crap and not worth using despite the cost saving.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
On my own guitars, I use this stuff - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-AS15-Solder-100-g-/182458355108?epid=2035497714&hash=item2a7b5d8da4:g:1SwAAOSw4CFYpwnP
Works so much better than the stuff I have to use in my amplifiers.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
I keep some for fine PCB work as well, where it's just better to keep heat to a minimum if at all possible.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The best lead-free solder I've found is actually Rapid Electronics own brand "premium" lead free with 3.9 % Ag.
This is a bit better than the Maplin high Ag content solder, and can be bought (mail order) in small quantities.
The higher silver content reduces the meting point which helps a lot, although the melting point is still over 30 degC more than leaded solder.
You can still get leaded solder on the high street from Halfords.