Flux Pen for beginner ?

[nanofrog]

So you clean the flux with  Ethanol also ?

Yes. 

Denatured alcohol/methylated spirits is usually ethanol with an additive to make it taste bad. Some manufacturers add methanol which also works (Kleen Strip brand found in the US is one example). For stubborn deposits, you can add a more aggressive solvent such as xylene or acetone, or even use it straight (be aware acetone has a habit of solving plastics, so use with caution). As per sources, you can find this stuff in paint stores or paint departments in big home improvement stores (environmental regulations may prevent some of it from being available without a special license/permit; methyl-ethyl ketone/MEK is more heavily regulated in the EU IIRC).

[Nuno_pt]

Other place to get MG Chemicals 835 is from ePay (eio-electronicinvetoryonline) it's a little cheaper that the one from Circuit Specialists, in terms of total price ( 835 + shipping).

Other place to buy flux; solder wire; and solder paste, but from Kester is CML Supply from it's store outside of ePay, since it's ePay store doesn't ship internationally.

[nanofrog]

FWIW, Kester only sells small quantities of liquid flux in disposable pens. They do offer their RF471 tacky/gel flux in a 30g syringe however (no plunger), which some prefer to a liquid when drag soldering.

I didn't know CML shipped internationally though. 

[Nuno_pt]

FWIW, Kester only sells small quantities of liquid flux in disposable pens. They do offer their RF471 tacky/gel flux in a 30g syringe however (no plunger), which some prefer to a liquid when drag soldering.

CML Supply split's them and sell in small quantities.

I didn't know CML shipped internationally though. 

You've to go at there store outside of ePay (www.cmlsupply.com) to buy things if you're outside of US, they will ship internationally.

I'm waiting to get home from vacations to place an order of Kester products from them, Flux 186 and RF741; Solder Paste EP256; and some Kester 44 (66 core) .020" or .025".

[nanofrog]

CML Supply split's them and sell in small quantities.

You've to go at there store outside of ePay (www.cmlsupply.com) to buy things if you're outside of US, they will ship internationally.

I'm waiting to get home from vacations to place an order of Kester products from them, Flux 186 and RF741; Solder Paste EP256; and some Kester 44 (66 core) .020" or .025".

I knew about their own site & that they split things down into smaller packages suited to hobbyists and small repair shops (i.e. fixing cell phones). The 150g jar of EP256 and 2 oz. bottles of 186, 959, & 959T are new to me though, so thanks for the update (good news for me). 

Shame they don't offer 1544 though (I get it from Skycraft when I take trips to Florida), as I like it better than MG Chemicals' 835 RA (which is still good flux). 

eBay's international shipping rates tend to be high (suspect it causes lost sales), so it's no wonder they don't offer it through that particular outlet.

Edit: Fixed MG Chemicals' P/N (seems I was ham-fisted with fingers of butter* again). * Courtesy of Jeremy Clarkson. 

[Nuno_pt]

nanofrog, it's really a shame that they don't offer 1544 RA flux, I can't find it anywhere even on ePay; so the MG Chemicals 835 will have to do.

I still have to find a store that sell's Soder-Wick or Chem-Wick and ship's them internationally, Farnell carries them but they must come from US and they want 18€ for each delivery.

[nanofrog]

nanofrog, it's really a shame that they don't offer 1544 RA flux, I can't find it anywhere even on ePay; so the MG Chemicals 835 will have to do.

I still have to find a store that sell's Soder-Wick or Chem-Wick and ship's them internationally, Farnell carries them but they must come from US and they want 18€ for each delivery.

Perhaps we should send emails requesting they carry it (and get others to do the same).  May not help, but it can't hurt. 

BTW for anyone that may be interested, Kester 1544 is the liquid version of the RA flux used in Kester 44 solder wire.

Regarding Farnell shipping US stock to the UK/EU, they charge $20 for the reverse; so UK/EU members aren't being singled out. At least it's a flat rate, so making as big an order as possible, even if you need to do some sort of group buy (one person break it up & reship to UK/EU addresses), would be worth it IMHO.

Also, you might want to consider re-shipping companies when the above suggestions aren't possible.

[Nuno_pt]

Perhaps we should send emails requesting they carry it (and get others to do the same).  May not help, but it can't hurt. 

When I place my order I'll send them a email asking is it's possible in the future to offer the 1544 RA from Kester, and perhaps some Soder-Wick or Chem-Wick also, let's see what they will say.
But would be a good start for people here to ask them if would be possible to carry the 1544 RA, the more the better. 

BTW for anyone that may be interested, Kester 1544 is the liquid version of the RA flux used in Kester 44 solder wire.

Thanks for the update. 

Regarding Farnell shipping US stock to the UK/EU, they charge $20 for the reverse; so UK/EU members aren't being singled out. At least it's a flat rate, so making as big an order as possible, even if you need to do some sort of group buy (one person break it up & reship to UK/EU addresses), would be worth it IMHO.

I've to order some things from Farnell so maybe I'll add the Soder-Wick or Chem-Wick. (not sure yet witch way I'll go  )

Also, you might want to consider re-shipping companies when the above suggestions aren't possible.

That is an option also, another one would be if someone in US buy the Wick, and put them on a bubble envelope and sent it to this side of the pond, it should not weight to much.

[tooki]

FYI, I don't think the Chemtronics (Soder-Wick/Chem-Wick) are as good as the MG Chemicals solder wicks, which are cheaper, and which amazon.com will ship from USA at reasonable cost, with customs already paid for.

I posted about these wicks here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/desoldering-advice-please-removing-dip-ic's-without-damage/msg833426/#msg833426

[Nuno_pt]

I just found that Burklin in Germany carries Chemtronic Soder-Wick/Chem-Wick, see here: https://www.buerklin.com/en/search?text=chemtronics with some good prices in shipment to EU.

But they don't carry anything from Kester or MG Chemicals.

[tooki]

As I said already, amazon.com will ship it from USA at very reasonable cost.

[nanofrog]

Regarding quality desolder wick/braid, why not go for Loctite brand?

It's really good stuff, and is more readily available in the UK/EU.  Not sure about pricing vs. MG Chemicals or Chemtronics, but worth a look.