Silver Solder

[RobbieGong]

Does anyone know where I can get a little bit of good silver solder from ? What should I buy or look for ? I fancy using some for connecting up my new external psu when I finally recieve it. (Will it actually be worth it or would normal solder suffice ?) Cheers :)

[activexp]

IMHO ordinary lead/tin solder will be fine. Personally I don't get on with silver solder.

[YNWaN]

In my opinion ordinary solder would be better.

However, if you must, look to eBay.

[RobbieGong]

Thanks guys, ordinary solder it is :)

[NRG]

I think you mean silver 'loaded' solder. Silver solder is not the stuff to use for assembling circuits! Silver loaded solder the 2~4% stuff is better than the ordinary tin/lead stuff. It flows and wets the joint better and melts at a slightly lower temp, I use it all the time just for more consistent joints.

RS sell the stuff but its no cheap for a one off build...

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/tools-tool-storage/soldering/solders/?searchTerm=silver+solder&sort-by=default&sort-order=default&applied-dimensions=4294823175,4294749626,4294556190,429476 5628,4294765631&lastAttributeSelectedBlock=4294957058

[YNWaN]

The silver loaded solder I have used has not flowed or wetted better than the 60/40 solder I have used.

[bobbasrah]

Stupid question : For a PSU connection, what difference do you perceive silver solder will make?

[RobbieGong]

Stupid question : For a PSU connection, what difference do you perceive silver solder will make?

Dont know, hence my post asked questions like is it worth it

[Reid Malenfant]

Stupid question : For a PSU connection, what difference do you perceive silver solder will make?
With the Silver loading the joint will have slightly less resistance, but in all honesty it's not worth messing about with.

Get yourself some good old fashioned 60/40 Tin & Lead solder, it's so much easier to work with.

I wouldn't touch the new lead free stuff having worked with it only once, & that was enough to put me off for life :D

[NRG]

60/40 solder is not easier to work with, quite the reverse in fact and importantly its not eutectic it also has a slightly higher melting point. Silver loaded solder is closer to being eutectic and creates a better joint consistently especially if the person making the joint is not proficient at soldering. A reel for a one off build is expensive but if you do a lot of soldering it makes no sense to me to use standard 60/40.

[Rare Bird]

I use Wondersolder always have always will

[Yomanze]

60/40 solder is not easier to work with, quite the reverse in fact and importantly its not eutectic it also has a slightly higher melting point. Silver loaded solder is closer to being eutectic and creates a better joint consistently especially if the person making the joint is not proficient at soldering. A reel for a one off build is expensive but if you do a lot of soldering it makes no sense to me to use standard 60/40.

Yes, I prefer using 63/37 (eutectic) solder.

These days though I use Cardas Quad eutectic solder: http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/300704089888

It melts like butter, very easy to get lovely shiny joints is tin, lead, copper & silver.

[Rare Bird]

When you say melts like butter i'm assuming it's low melting point?

[Yomanze]

When you say melts like butter i'm assuming it's low melting point?

170°C