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Date:	Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:30:32 +0200
From:	Gabriel Paubert <paubert AT iram DOT es>
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Subject:	Re: [geda-user] Cheap solder paste source?
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On Mon, Oct 14, 2013 at 06:02:01PM -0400, Rob Butts wrote:
> I don't mind spending $$$ for good quality known to work well.
> 
> Digikey has three 9 oz jars for $40, $68 and $90 all claiming 63/37
> percentages.  I'm not sure what the difference is.
> 
> I'd love for someone to recommend a source for known good solder paste.
> 
> 

Please don't top-post!

As Dj said, price varies with flux type (no-clean or not), and more so 
with particle size: the cheapest ones are too coarse for very fine pitch.

The rule of thumb is that the smallest aperture of your stencils should
be at least five times the particle size.

I have been using leaded solder paste from Koki 
(http://www.ko-ki.co.jp/product/product5.html)
since 2007, and am very satisfied with the results. 

The reference I have no more exists, but at least it has in practice a 
much longer shelf life than specified (I keep it in a fridge): the limit
date on my jar is December 2007 but I used it a few weeks ago without
trouble to solder relatively small components (Vishay CH-02016 high 
frequeny resistors). Still the particle size was a bit too large for
the stencil apterture and I'll have to order new paste with smaller
particles soon (that's the first time I go below 0402).

This said, 9 oz is quite a lot (about what I've used in 7 years, although
I only build prototypes), how much are you going to build?

	Gabriel

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