Kester 285 vs 44 flux for repair

[PaulAm]

I'm working on an old Tek scope with the ceramic tie points and I need to get some silver bearing solder for repair.

Normally, I would use a Kester 44 rosin core, but I found a cheap supplier for Kester 285 sn10pb88ag02.  Anyone have any experience with the 285 flux?

Kester's description sounds OK, but ...

thanks

[nanofrog]

The flux in 285 solder wire is the same as 186 liquid flux, so it's rated as RMA (comes close to RA, but not quite; the flux in 44 solder wire or the 1544 liquid are more aggressive). Beyond 44 in activity level, there's 48 (most aggressive RA they offer, and IIRC, you do need to clean it).

FWIW, I use Sn62Pb36Ag2 as it's eutectic (aka 62/36/2).

You can get it in small quantities from RadioShack (add a more aggressive liquid flux should you need it).

• 62/36/2, .022" diameter, 1.5oz rosin core (out of stock online, but may find some in a store)
• 62/36/2, .015" diameter, 1.0oz rosin core

It just says rosin, but I suspect it's at least RMA.

I picked up a couple more rolls of the .022" when a local RadioShack closed down here, so I'm probably set for life (still have most of one I bought back in the early '90's).  I also have Kester 186 and 1544 liquid flux on hand.

[Orange]

I'm working on an old Tek scope with the ceramic tie points and I need to get some silver bearing solder for repair.

Normally, I would use a Kester 44 rosin core, but I found a cheap supplier for Kester 285 sn10pb88ag02.  Anyone have any experience with the 285 flux?

Kester's description sounds OK, but ...

thanks

SN10PB88AG2 has a very high melting point (268..290 Celcius) so it is not suitable for your purpose. Better get an SN62 solder.

[PaulAm]

Good point.  Thanks for the replies