Informative video! I have always used Kester. What's the best solder alloy for high end audio cable conductor soldering? I have used tin/lead/2% silver and seems to work fine. Is any of the lead free stuff good for pro audio applications? if so, pls let me know, willing to try it.
I've been soldering for 50+ years. You couldn't pay me to us lead-free. It's crap! That said, I use Kester SN63 RA leaded. IMO, it's the best solder out there
Lead free does not yield the appearance, quality of joint or the reliability of an RMA solder. The Kester 282 solder is used in critical circuitry, medical, military and aerospace applications with the highest reliability that can be had. This solder and it’s equivalent Aim or Alpha Metals solder has no peer in quality or reliability. Lead free has never been able to yield the appearance that satisfies stringent DOD Standards. The new “J” standard is a joke. There is but one standard and that is DOD STD 2000-1. It’s stringent and hard to comply with, yet joints soldered under this standard can handle vibrations, g forces, mechanical and physical stresses and thermal inversions without failure. Most people do not have the discipline to practice this standard. I had to live by and with it when I was in the Air National Guard. I am a fanatical solderer. Any standard that advocates reflow and rework is a failed system. Do it once, do it right the first time or leave it alone! That is my mindset. I do not apologize because when human life and/or high value assets are involved, mediocrity has no place! It’s that simple. Truth is it’s own guide! The formulations were either Sn63 or Sn62. Both are pure eutectics. The Sn62 has 2% silver in it’s content, 62%tin & 36% lead. The silver content increases it conductivity! There is no better in my opinion. The proof is in the work. If you doubt it, try it! You’ll see it is true!
