One guy's trials and tribulation

[peteski]

So it was that before I got started rebuilding my acid-eaten turnouts, track and roadbed, I discovered Superior No. 30 Supersafe Soldering Flux, which is self-neutralizing (from heat) and VASTLY increased my soldering success as well as exponentially improving both soldering speed and the way my joints appeared (clean, shiny, with very little "globbing")

Too bad Bob that your "pusher" of consumer quantities of that Superior No.30 flux has closed shop (or at least I seem to recall you mentioning it some  time ago).  Have you found other sources, or you have enough to last you until you no longer dabble in soldering?

[reinhardtjh]

Too bad Bob that your "pusher" of consumer quantities of that Superior No.30 flux has closed shop (or at least I seem to recall you mentioning it some  time ago).  Have you found other sources, or you have enough to last you until you no longer dabble in soldering?

Curiously, the H&N Electronic site is still active and a quick inspection shows no sign of any announcement to close up.
https://hnflux.com/page39.html

WE HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE


For 44 years and counting, we have supplied Industry, Governments, Colleges, Universities, Arts School, Modeler, Crafter, Home Owner and may others with Superior Flux Products. Since 1932 Superior Flux has been a leader in supplying some of the best Soldering and Brazing Flux available. We supply, some of the easiest to use products produced by Superior Flux, suitable for modelers, home projects as well as companies and Universities.

 

Please check our Home Page  or click Products listed below, for help in choosing the correct products for your projects. Thank you for visiting our Web Site.       

But if you want to go elsewhere, there is an Ebay store with a good record and many sales.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/116314723029?

[peteski]

Curiously, the H&N Electronic site is still active and a quick inspection shows no sign of any announcement to close up.
https://hnflux.com/page39.html

But if you want to go elsewhere, there is an Ebay store with a good record and many sales.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/116314723029?

Good to know. Thanks!
I could have sworn that few years ago Bob mentioned that he was no longer able to buy that flux from his favorite source.  I guess I should have checked for myself.

That flux does work well, but since I now mostly do precision electronic soldering I use standard rosin-based flux.  I gave a small vial of it to my friend who was doing some trackwork and it worked really well for him.  He used a Microbrush to applied it to the parts being soldered. That works really well for precise application.

Ah, I think I figured it out.  Their main page shows:
We found it necessary to close for a short period of time due to circumstances beyond our control, but we are reopening but with less items. Thank you for all your support over the years.

So Bob did mention the closure, but I don't recall him mentioning reopening.  Could be just my memory.

[reinhardtjh]

Good to know. Thanks!
I could have sworn that few years ago Bob mentioned that he was no longer able to buy that flux from his favorite source.  I guess I should have checked for myself.

He did. I remember because it made me go make a "last order" of flux and silver bearing solder.  I'm set for half of my remaining life (being 64 or 0x40) I think.  Unless my soldering work ramps  up greatly.

That flux does work well, but since I now mostly do precision electronic soldering I use standard rosin-based flux.  I gave a small vial of it to my friend who was doing some trackwork and it worked really well for him.  He used a Microbrush to applied it to the parts being soldered. That works really well for precise application.

I've used it on some of my electronic projects - PiDP-10, VT132 terminal kit and others.  It sputters a lot but cleans up nicely with a little soap and warm water.. But for a lot of work I have switched to a Kester 2331ZX Water Soluble Flux Pen.

Ah, I think I figured it out.  Their main page shows:
We found it necessary to close for a short period of time due to circumstances beyond our control, but we are reopening but with less items. Thank you for all your support over the years.

So Bob did mention the closure, but I don't recall him mentioning reopening.  Could be just my memory.

I missed that on their page.  I also do not remember Bob saying they had reopened.

[chuck geiger]

There is a fine line between love and hate or at least between growing/learning and accomplishment/success (and still growing and learning).

[wazzou]

There is a fine line between love and hate or at least between growing/learning and accomplishment/success (and still growing and learning).

...unburdened by what has been.   

[robert3985]

Too bad Bob that your "pusher" of consumer quantities of that Superior No.30 flux has closed shop (or at least I seem to recall you mentioning it some  time ago).  Have you found other sources, or you have enough to last you until you no longer dabble in soldering?

I am happy to say that H&N Electronics has reopened, with fewer products but still with Superior Fluxes, Silver-bearing solder and other items! 

Find what you need here: https://www.hnflux.com/page22.html

Ahh...I see you have already discovered this.  GOOD NEWS!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[TinyTurner]

Regarding solder wire, can it have a little copper, 0.5% in it and still get good (stronger than electrical) results?

It's a lot easier to get hold of

96.5%tin/3%silver/0.5%copper

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315223285652?_nkw=sn+ag+solder&itmmeta=01J7BXCZP7NPE91CMSV9B7FFCB&hash=item4964c59f94:g:pl8AAOSwKvVmPgG~&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkEzcdMqCZouqb%2BPGcez3ob6us3%2FMyx0RLeYh4vZdEIJBGto4GD1I%2FoQ%2BTk0lpZpequTH6NT6hFGlCWNmPuXrQ5BnU1sok4px0PEEQhmxnSS%2B4b8dkmFyvolJN0A7sjcd8UFBLGQncVNVjJX1GY4AbHFzQLfRpm7%2BuiaZROZY2JRYeZC2da0epKx7YIYK64agqUDheFmM02Soy0T8T0aCnGOEkn53DXDxtt5dKnD%2BEpl%2BSgeFumOAwWTbcFbG5if8zo4wpHz%2BDmtzCWKk9GVblWYysmLhVDRb2C2XqJJ2NpDA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR577s_26ZA&edge=1

[robert3985]

Regarding solder wire, can it have a little copper, 0.5% in it and still get good (stronger than electrical) results?

It's a lot easier to get hold of

96.5%tin/3%silver/0.5%copper

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315223285652?_nkw=sn+ag+solder&itmmeta=01J7BXCZP7NPE91CMSV9B7FFCB&hash=item4964c59f94:g:pl8AAOSwKvVmPgG~&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkEzcdMqCZouqb%2BPGcez3ob6us3%2FMyx0RLeYh4vZdEIJBGto4GD1I%2FoQ%2BTk0lpZpequTH6NT6hFGlCWNmPuXrQ5BnU1sok4px0PEEQhmxnSS%2B4b8dkmFyvolJN0A7sjcd8UFBLGQncVNVjJX1GY4AbHFzQLfRpm7%2BuiaZROZY2JRYeZC2da0epKx7YIYK64agqUDheFmM02Soy0T8T0aCnGOEkn53DXDxtt5dKnD%2BEpl%2BSgeFumOAwWTbcFbG5if8zo4wpHz%2BDmtzCWKk9GVblWYysmLhVDRb2C2XqJJ2NpDA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR577s_26ZA&edge=1

If you're gonna order it anyway, then get 96/4 Tin/Silver solder...along with Superior No. 30 Supersafe Soldering Flux at the H&N Electronics Web Store here: https://www.hnflux.com/page35.html

I can't vouch for the addition of copper to the alloy since I've never used it.  On the other hand, I am 100% satisfied with the results that .031" Tin/Silver Silver-Bearing Solder gives me.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore