Kester 245 thoughts

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I am finally running out of my stash of solder from Radioshack. I have been reading a lot of threads about which solder is the best to use. I pretty much have it down to either Kester 44 or Kester 245 no clean.

For those who use the 245 no clean solder, does it work well with rework? I do not plan on using an external liquid flux, just use the solder off the roll. I have always used the same solder for years and now I have no choice but for something new.

Thanks
Brian
 
I use the 63/37 rosin core solder (Kester). I used to use Radio Shack 60/40 (IIRC), and then used whatever I had kicking around (no name scrap/freebie lengths/etc). After moving to the Kester, I'd never go back.

I opted not to try the no clean version. The flux version I have doesn't make all that much of a mess even. Someday I'll have to try the no clean if I can get a small amount to try.
 
I've tried the 245, and it's good, but I found myself going back to 44 for the bulk of my work. I just like a lot of flux, the way I solder. I clean with acetone and q-tips, and the flux comes off easily. (And the Kester stuff smells a lot better than any other solder I've used, not that you should be huffing the fumes.)

Someone said once upon a time that Radio Shack solder was rebranded Kester, but I've never been able to confirm that. I used to like the RS silver-bearing solder, as it flowed better than the regular RS stuff (which wasn't bad). But once I tried a real roll of 44, I never looked back. The stuff is awesome.

Try em both. You won't go wrong either way.
 
If you have old ham operators in your area, ask them if they know where to get any of the old flux.
I tend to horde the old flux and solder when they started to change over to water cleaning stuff.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I'll go with Kester 44. I may try the no clean later on, but for now I'll stick to something similar that I have been using.

Brian
 
If you have old ham operators in your area, ask them if they know where to get any of the old flux.
I tend to horde the old flux and solder when they started to change over to water cleaning stuff.

I use this flux for just about everything. I like it because it is gel instead of liquid. I've been using it for years

https://www.testequity.com/products/13536/
 
Haha! That comment reminded me about the flux someone gave me. I couldn't find any info on it, so I've never tried it. Kester 1544, any good for this kind of soldering?

If you have old ham operators in your area, ask them if they know where to get any of the old flux.
I tend to horde the old flux and solder when they started to change over to water cleaning stuff.
 

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