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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: airbladder on December 16, 2009, 06:35:44 AM

Title: What solder to use?
Post by: airbladder on December 16, 2009, 06:35:44 AM
At this point I have only build power cables and used some rat shack solder.  Recently one of my xlr's broke and needs to be replaced.  So what kind of solder do people use?  Does the solder effect the signal or does it just hold the wire in place?  Looked through this thread and didn't see anything.  Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Ed
Title: Re: What solder to use?
Post by: airbladder on December 17, 2009, 06:27:49 AM
Thanks for the info. 
Title: Re: What solder to use?
Post by: StuStu on December 18, 2009, 11:59:02 AM
If your xlr's are silver clad, I'd recommend using silver-bearing solder. Rat Shack sells it.
Title: Re: What solder to use?
Post by: Church-Audio on December 18, 2009, 01:26:38 PM
At this point I have only build power cables and used some rat shack solder.  Recently one of my xlr's broke and needs to be replaced.  So what kind of solder do people use?  Does the solder effect the signal or does it just hold the wire in place?  Looked through this thread and didn't see anything.  Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Ed
The most important thing is technique. When I solder a connection I tin the connection with solder. Then the wire with solder. Then I simply heat up the connection and dont use any more solder at that point. If you are very good you can do it with out melting the wire :) I find a good iron is essential to good soldering. I use Weller stations for my work. I work around 650 - 750 degrees F. Solder is also important I use Kester #66/44 SN60PB40 Leaded solder. For lead free I have a separate iron and use Kester K100 #66/48 24-9571-1402. I find that other solders like Rat Shack are not as good.

Chris