How long does your solder wire spool last ?

[BillyO]

It used to be that 64/40 solder was a considerably  cheaper than 63/37.  That no longer seems to be the case, but you get used to what you use over a long period of time and I guess that's why many keep using it.  60/40 does seem to flow a bit better than 63/37 but that would be the only advantage it seems.  I do have a small spool of 63/37, but I seem to reach for the 60/40 all the time. 

Technically 63/37 should be a better solder, but in reality the difference is minor.

More important is getting a good quality solder.

[tooki]

I don’t think 63/37 flows any better than 60/40 (the advantage of 63/37 is the that it’s a true eutectic, as I explained above). Any differences will be down to the quality (purity) of the alloy and above all the flux.

Thus, I completely agree with your statement that quality is paramount.

Kester 44 is great solder because it’s a fantastic flux, and the metal is of top quality. (In contrast, I am not impressed by Stannol, because their fluxes aren’t as good, and I’ve tried multiple of their fluxes.)

[mwb1100]

I did some checking. Mine usaully lasts as long as a piece of string.

But how long does a thread about how long a spool of solder lasts last?   

[wizard69]

um that depends on how big your spool is.   The bigger the spool the longer it lasts or so I've been told.   A 20 pound spool will last longer than a 1 pound spool, but you need to realize that such spools come in with solder wire of different diameter, flux fills and alloy mixes.  So the answer really is it depends upon usage.

The funny thing here is that is like an amateur welder how long the MIG wire lasts.  It might not last long at all if he has to cut out a rats nest of wire. 

Hello,

How long does a tin spool last you?

I hesitate to take 250g or 2x 250g I don't know how long it will last me

on average, I know it depends on usage, but to get an idea

You do realize you never mentioned what the usage is.   If you are doing tube based amps the solder will not last as long as it might take to solder up a solid state amp based on the latest analog chips.   It jsut goes on and on, there is no straight answer.

[BillyO]

Still, 250g of solder will more likely last the OP years than it would weeks.

[Infraviolet]

I had used some 63/37 once, but mostly use 60/40. the latter has worked more nicely for me, but I suspect solder quality plays a much mroe important role than the exact proportional mixture, the 60/40 is from a better known brand, the 63/37 is something I bought in a hurry once. Also of major importance is the flux used, I think the 63/37 might have had a rather more aggressive (super activated) flux in it which seemed to make it a prone to blobbing a bit, the 60/40 has a very mildly activated rosin flux.

[tooki]

I had used some 63/37 once, but mostly use 60/40. the latter has worked more nicely for me, but I suspect solder quality plays a much mroe important role than the exact proportional mixture, the 60/40 is from a better known brand, the 63/37 is something I bought in a hurry once. Also of major importance is the flux used, I think the 63/37 might have had a rather more aggressive (super activated) flux in it which seemed to make it a prone to blobbing a bit, the 60/40 has a very mildly activated rosin flux.

I totally agree that quality matters more than 63/37 vs 60/40.

But why would you think that a more aggressive flux would lead to more blob formation? That's exactly the opposite of what I'd expect.