Cable construction... Solder Choices?

H

HansonD

Active member
Hi,

Making a set of XLR's cables is my current audio DIY project and I thought I'd pick your brains about a couple details.

Mainly solder.. So far I've been using 96/4 lead-free silver bearing solder. Is this a good choice for audio signal? Or is plain-jane 60/40 rosin core perfectly sufficient? Also how do you all feel about radioshack brand solder? Just looking for red flags if they're any out there. So far so good though, I have a nice collection of short patch cables made up and am about to move on to longer lengths.

Also any other generic tips on cable construction are welcome.

thanks,
-d
 
I use time-tested 60-40 rosin core solder.

Quite some time ago I had a bad experience with Radio Shack solder. It wouldn't flow properly. I scrapped it and got a spool of high-quality solder from a small shop that specialized in industrial electronics.

Just yesterday I noticed that NAPA sells thin-diameter 60-40 rosin core solder in small quantities. I haven't tried it but I remember my dad used similar solder with good results. Otherwise you'd end up having to buy an entire quarter-pound spool which, if you solder as much as I do, can easily last you 20 years.
 
60/40 works fine. It may get hard to find though since it's illegal in the EU (no lead allowed) and probably will get banned here sooner or later. Doesn't matter much for home use but with the large amount of electronics making it's way into land fill it's an issue. Now if people repaired instead of replaced..... Oh sorry I was having a flash back.
The new non lead stuff seems to work fine also. I too once had an issue with RS solder but have acquired other RS solder over the years that was fine. RS doesn't "make" anything so it depends on who there supplier is. But it's probably safe. There isn't any electrical problem that I know of just the flow issue that was probably a bad flux formula. If it doesn't flow chuck it out, but as I said, for various reasons have used a number of batches of solder from RS in the last ten years with no problems.
 
HansonD said:
Hi,

Making a set of XLR's cables is my current audio DIY project and I thought I'd pick your brains about a couple details.

Mainly solder.. So far I've been using 96/4 lead-free silver bearing solder. Is this a good choice for audio signal? Or is plain-jane 60/40 rosin core perfectly sufficient? Also how do you all feel about radioshack brand solder? Just looking for red flags if they're any out there. So far so good though, I have a nice collection of short patch cables made up and am about to move on to longer lengths.

Also any other generic tips on cable construction are welcome.

thanks,
-d
Click to expand...

Hi Hanson,

Yes, 60-40 is okay or if you want the best consider 63-37 multicore. The main considerations are:

- Ensure your soldering iron is clean
- If the soldering iron is new, "pre-tin" the tip
- Ensure the wires are clean (no dirt, grime, grease or residue)
- Ensure you have a strong mechanical connection before soldering
- Use a resin flux (corrosive fluxes like acid are a no-no)
- Use the correct wattage soldering iron for the job
- Apply the solder to the heated surface, not the soldering iron
- Ditto with the flux (N/A if using a multicore)
- Don't take away the iron too quickly when solder flows (cold solder joint is another no-no)
- After soldering, double check the connection visually and with meter (opens, shorts)

Hopefully I've remembered most of the tricks of the trade.

Good luck, Michael
 
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