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Flux, how important is it?

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IG-88:

I'm going to be starting a keyboard hack using the tutorial found at Spystyles's site (http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index79.htm) and I have all the components except the flux. Does this make the soldering easier or can I go ahead without it?

BobA:

For solder used in electronics flux is most often in the central core of the solder itself.

JustMichael:


--- Quote from: IG-88 on November 11, 2005, 09:42:52 pm ---I'm going to be starting a keyboard hack using the tutorial found at Spystyles's site (http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index79.htm) and I have all the components except the flux. Does this make the soldering easier or can I go ahead without it?

--- End quote ---

You can go ahead without it.  Rosin core solder has the flux inside the solder.  Make sure wherever you solder is very well ventilated.  The fumes given off while soldering are not good for you.

subcriminal:

Just a tip....To get a clean joint heat the wire for a couple of secs then apply solder so it flows around the wire then do the same to the part you want to join it to then put the two together and heat them. That way you use less solder and it'll look tidy. If you just put the two parts together and try to melt the solder on to them you'll just get a big messy blob and a poor joint. It's called tinning and if you have lots of wires to join tin everything first then join them.
Just in case you've never soldered before  ;) As bobA said use Rosin core solder. No flux needed.

Grasshopper:

It's essential. But as others have said if your solder wire already has a flux core then you don't need to buy it separately.

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