Favorite solder flux?

[jmole]

I've been using chip quik syringes for a long time, but find it overly "gooey", and occasionally hard to clean up. Wondering if anyone out there has a flux they just can't live without?

[zapta]

I've been using chip quik syringes for a long time, but find it overly "gooey", and occasionally hard to clean up. Wondering if anyone out there has a flux they just can't live without?

Using the same flux and am very happy with it. Much better than liquid flux. I am cleaning with IPA and a large foam swab.

[Fsck]

kester 951. no-clean goodness.

or, just straight up IPA + rosin.

[nanofrog]

Kester 186, or better yet, 186-18 (RMA with 36% & 18% solids respectively, which makes it easier to clean if desired/necessary). Unfortunately, the only small size sold are the disposable flux pens, which aren't very economical. A 1gal+ size could be split up if you've got enough people on board, and one willing to do the work.   

MG Chemicals 835 RA liquid seems more practical for a hobbyist however (offer 125ml & 1L sizes, is reasonably priced, and easy to source in the US at least). Just a bit harder to clean IME (RA could be an issue on rare occasion for a particular application).

[Kjelt]

Felder ELS3320 No-Clean Flux
Its IPA based and works pretty good, fair price and I could get it instead of Kester which I can not order nearby.

[neslekkim]

I've been using chip quik syringes for a long time, but find it overly "gooey", and occasionally hard to clean up. Wondering if anyone out there has a flux they just can't live without?

I thought the chip quik was supposed to be gooey, it's perfect for placing smd components, it kinda glue them there so its easier to solder.

[RobertHolcombe]

Kester RF741, comes in 10gm/30gm syringes

I'm not sure how it compares to what you're using, its designed for rework so quite tacky, leaves minor residue but isn't hard to clean up with IPA

[David Hess]

Kester 1544 is my favorite but it does make a sticky mess.  They used to sell it in small bottles but no more.

[GreyWoolfe]

MG Chemicals liquid rosin flux in my own dispensers.

[Whales]

I use violinist's rosin:
http://www.dx.com/p/lertom-violin-viola-cello-rosin-1231

Pros:

• Cheap & easy to get
• Smells nice (YMMV )
• Solid rosin bar makes tinning wires with old solder loaded on an iron easy.

Cons:

• Sticky residue
• Chars on iron tip after a while

When I need something in liquid form, I dissolve some of it in alcohol and use a cotton swab.  Nothing fancy here

This is the only external flux I have ever tried, so I'm also interested in what people reply here.  Do a lot of the commercial fluxes smell very bad? 

[gxti]

I gave up on Kester 951 because the tips would get smashed flat and one stopped dispensing entirely even though it was far from empty. My current flux pen is Multicore MFR 301, which has a much harder tip and a metal can. The RMA flux is more effective, too. I do want to switch to a dispenser/bottle though.

For reflow I use ChipQuik's tacky flux in a syringe.

[Fsck]

I gave up on Kester 951 because the tips would get smashed flat and one stopped dispensing entirely even though it was far from empty.

you know 951 doesn't only come in pen form right?

[nanofrog]

I gave up on Kester 951 because the tips would get smashed flat and one stopped dispensing entirely even though it was far from empty.

you know 951 doesn't only come in pen form right?

True, but the next smallest container is 1 gallon with Kester. 1 year shelf life doesn't help either.

[thm_w]

Always used this stuff: http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/solder/fluxes/no-clean-flux-paste-8341/
Much easier to drop onto a wire end than the pens.

True, but the next smallest container is 1 gallon with Kester. 1 year shelf life doesn't help either.

Could try: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLAR-CELLS-flux-3-x-25ml-Bottle-with-brush-KESTER-951-PRIORITY-SHIPP-TRACKING-/251612664481?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a954892a1

[nanofrog]

Could try: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLAR-CELLS-flux-3-x-25ml-Bottle-with-brush-KESTER-951-PRIORITY-SHIPP-TRACKING-/251612664481?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a954892a1

True, but there's some risk involved (could be older than you expect, thinned out, mixed with a no-name brand, or not even genuine at all).

As it happens, I've bought Kester 186 this way (from this seller), and it does work ($6.60 isn't much of a risk for 2.5oz/75ml). But would still prefer to buy a large bottle and split it up with others I've made arrangements with (know it's genuine).

[eliocor]

I always use Alpha NR215 no clean flux.
It requires a different dispenser than the typical "pen" ones: