Violin rosin as solder flux?

[Phaedrus]

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=11968991

It's the same material as rosin flux, to the best of my research. It's not as convenient as a flux pen I guess, but it's way cheaper. Is this stuff viable as soldering flux?

[mariush]

It is close, but it's not the same.

Most liquid fluxes have some additional additives. You can find liquid flux cheaper if you look around.

I bought a no-clean flux made in Poland for 3$ a bottle of 50 ml (retail): http://termopasty.com/pg_285_280_3_6_2_flux_tk_83.html

Cheap and good compared to price of pens.

[madires]

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=11968991

It's the same material as rosin flux, to the best of my research. It's not as convenient as a flux pen I guess, but it's way cheaper. Is this stuff viable as soldering flux?

Yes, just dissolve it in IPA. A few electronic shops also sell rosin in larger quantities quite inexpensive (cheaper than violin rosin). IIRC I paid around EUR 5.00 for 100g.

[Phaedrus]

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=11968991

It's the same material as rosin flux, to the best of my research. It's not as convenient as a flux pen I guess, but it's way cheaper. Is this stuff viable as soldering flux?

Yes, just dissolve it in IPA. A few electronic shops also sell rosin in larger quantities quite inexpensive (cheaper than violin rosin). IIRC I paid around EUR 5.00 for 100g.

Isopropyl Alcohol, or India Pale Ale?   

[nanofrog]

Yes it will work.  If you do use violin rosin though, be aware it may have a wax coating on it, which has to be scraped/sanded off first (and tossed). Then dissolve subsequent powder for making flux in Isopropyl Alcohol.

India Pale Ale might make it a bit more enjoyable task for you however, so keeping some on hand might also be a good idea. 

There's an easier and less expensive way to go however. Search "colophony" on eBay instead of rosin to shorten the listings, and further shorten by selecting the right Category on the left column. http://www.ebay.com/sch/Business-Industrial-/12576/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=colophony

[Phaedrus]

Excellent. A pound of rosin powder, some 99% isopropyl (want to keep that water content down) and a six-pack of Lagunitas are now on my shopping list for next week.

Thanks mate! 

[ddavidebor]

yes, it work on fresh board.

i use it after etching and cleaning , i cover everyting with rosin mixed in alcool. in this way i protect the board for year and i can tin it whit a big iron if i want

[westfw]

See also:
  http://www.dickblick.com/zz452/06/
  https://dancedesire.com.au/products/accessories/powder-rosin-
  http://shop.chemicalstore.com/navigation/categorylist.asp?CatID=30

None of these will be "activated" as in "activated rosin flux", but they'll work somewhat.  Normal liquid flux will also have some plasticizers and other additives, gel flux will have thickeners, and paste will have ... something else.

I would think your time would be better spent looking for a cheaper source of pre-made electronics flux.  There's no need to spend $10 for a 10ml pen; you can easily find 4oz or larger bottles at about that same price.

[G7PSK]

Don't forget that the block of rosin is a nice static source as well. The lab at school had a block of rosin for static experiments rub it well with some wool and you would get quite a belt from it.

[madires]

A common recipe is 35g colophony and 50ml IPA.

There's also an expired patent for a non-activated soldering flux:
- Isopropyl alcohol (60-70% by weight)
- Water white rosin (30-40% by weight)
- Glycerin (2-3% by weight) - inhibit polymerisation and retard decomposition
- Cationic flurocarbon surfectant (0.01-1% by weight) - lowers surface tension
That should produce a no-clean flux.

[amyk]

Some people have reported success with this: http://dx.com/p/just-works-colophony-soldering-paste-4697

[ddavidebor]

yes is perfect for another thing. after you've cleaned the tip on the wet sponge, you can put the tip in che colophony. it stay melt on it for 4-5 second allowing you to cover it with tin.