Getting quality solder in Europe (Norway)

[Ysjoelfir]

Reading that I'm quite happy that I have quite a stockpile of leaded solder flying around in the lab... Even though I tend to use leadfree most of the time (Stannol Kristall... IIRC 400, but I would have to check to be sure), at least for my all-day work, not for repairing older stuff - that's where the good old leaded solder comes to work 

[not1xor1]

BTW what is the difference between SnPb and SnPb+2%Cu ?
On TME catalog the Cu alloys are specified for a lower fusion temperature (183°C against 190°C of 60/40 SnPb).
What about reliability?

[helius]

The liquidus of Sn63Pb37 is also 183°C.
The addition of copper was required to extend the life of unplated copper tips, when those were common 50 years ago. It also improves the strength of the joint, which is not needed in most electronics.

[Thomas]

Don't bother trying to buy leaded solder from Elfa unless you are a business.

I tried earlier this evening to put some in my basket only to have the site tell me it is only available to business customers.

Like I'm going to use lead free solder to repair things like 30 year old bench multimeters. 

These rules are made by idiots!

Some of them can be added to the basket, I don't know why

[grizewald]

Some of them can be added to the basket, I don't know why

Truly bizarre! Out of all the alloys which include lead, I was able to add 10 out of 84 to my basket. 

I ordered some nice Polish 60/40 solder from eBay instead. 

[Star1]

Some of them can be added to the basket, I don't know why

Truly bizarre! Out of all the alloys which include lead, I was able to add 10 out of 84 to my basket. 

I ordered some nice Polish 60/40 solder from eBay instead. 

I could add only 2 with a diameter of 0.5mm or less, and the least expensive one was something like 100USD, so that is a no go.

I think I might have to go for that same Polish 60/40. I'd really like to try 63/37, but as it looks now even a small spool would cost more than both my soldering irons

[OwO]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ESPLB-Solder-Wire-Tin-0-5-0-6-0-8-1-0-1-2-1-5/32890767672.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.30926147XxJAnP&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c-0&algo_pvid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c
This one has reviews with tested melting point and pics of solder joints.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Tin-Lead-Tin-Wire-Melt-Rosin-Core-Solder-Soldering-Wire-Roll-M25/32793699855.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.10.b8971c32CtnHJj&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9-1&algo_pvid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9
Also has a few reviews with melting point.

The general tip is stick with sellers with rating >98% on aliexpress, read through a few reviews, and read the negative reviews. Also from my experience aliexpress > ebay, I have gotten a higher percentage of package not delivered or defective goods on ebay.

[Brutte]

Keep in mind there are different solders with different compositions.

I am afraid even when you buy the best Sn96Ag4, it will be nowhere near the worst Sn60Pb40 (when compared the mechanical properties, melting point etc). Add to that the decision about flux - there are dozens of different flux types, more and less agressive, no clean etc and of course there is a solid core solder without flux.

The Pb free solder for rework that I can recommend is Sn96Ag4 which is quite pleasant in use but since it is 4% silver, it is not cheap and it melts at 220degC.
Then - there is no significant difference in between soldering with Sn99.7Cu0.3 and soldering with a paperclip IMHO  . Any Pb-free rework with this 0% Ag thing requires top notch soldering iron plus a lot of flux and patience.

1kg of Sn60Pb40 is around $25 and 1kg of Sn96Ag4 is $100 (1mm).

[Star1]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ESPLB-Solder-Wire-Tin-0-5-0-6-0-8-1-0-1-2-1-5/32890767672.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.30926147XxJAnP&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c-0&algo_pvid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c
This one has reviews with tested melting point and pics of solder joints.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Tin-Lead-Tin-Wire-Melt-Rosin-Core-Solder-Soldering-Wire-Roll-M25/32793699855.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.10.b8971c32CtnHJj&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9-1&algo_pvid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9
Also has a few reviews with melting point.

The general tip is stick with sellers with rating >98% on aliexpress, read through a few reviews, and read the negative reviews. Also from my experience aliexpress > ebay, I have gotten a higher percentage of package not delivered or defective goods on ebay.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd prefer slightly thinner wire, but at least this suggests ali and the like CAN be an alternative.

[stj]

soldering with Sn99.7Cu0.3 and soldering with a paperclip IMHO  . Any Pb-free rework with this 0% Ag thing requires top notch soldering iron plus a lot of flux and patience.

get a decent iron and learn how to solder.

i use that formulation for years - no problems at all.
it helps if it has the right flux INSIDE it, preferably KRISTALL505/511 or HS10

[sn4k3]

If you go AliExpress route I advice go for Wit solder from Japan. It's very good, no very bad smalls, no splattering and is really 183°c melting point, this is of course pb solder but they also have lead free

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/yiGyVf6

I use that and is great, even better than some expensive brands I used before (for rework)

[salavat]

One of the best solders I've tried  is Felder solder (Felder is German company). Can you order from Germany?

[Star1]

One of the best solders I've tried  is Felder solder (Felder is German company). Can you order from Germany?

That depends on the Germans

All I need is a webshop that is willing to ship to Norway to order from anywhere.

[tooki]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ESPLB-Solder-Wire-Tin-0-5-0-6-0-8-1-0-1-2-1-5/32890767672.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.30926147XxJAnP&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c-0&algo_pvid=6a07679f-4f78-4dd2-896f-c8da0160c96c
This one has reviews with tested melting point and pics of solder joints.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Tin-Lead-Tin-Wire-Melt-Rosin-Core-Solder-Soldering-Wire-Roll-M25/32793699855.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.10.b8971c32CtnHJj&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10548_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9-1&algo_pvid=efaae68a-41b9-4e92-9849-ef3a1d437bf9
Also has a few reviews with melting point.

The general tip is stick with sellers with rating >98% on aliexpress, read through a few reviews, and read the negative reviews. Also from my experience aliexpress > ebay, I have gotten a higher percentage of package not delivered or defective goods on ebay.

Surely the solders on Aliexpress are essentially guaranteed to be counterfeit?? (That’s certainly the case with every other type of soldering supplies and equipment, like solder wick, flux, soldering stations...)

[Brutte]

You can buy the Sn60Pb40 from tme
It is $16 + tax for 500g 0.7mm spool, >250 in stock.

Or you can get some from our local eBay but keep in mind not all those sellers ship abroad. The price is much lower but considering you just want tiny amount - use it as a price reference point.

[tooki]

You can buy the Sn60Pb40 from tme
It is $16 + tax for 500g 0.7mm spool, >250 in stock.

Nope, can’t be shipped to Norway. See what happens when you change the country...

In Europe, leaded solder is no longer legal for sale to individuals.

[helius]

Norway isn't even part of the EU (although it has an arrangement that requires it to implement many of the same rules).

[Brutte]

Nope, can’t be shipped to Norway. See what happens when you change the country...

Ok, no Pb solder shipped to Norway. Interestingly when I select Poland or Germany, there are many of those Sn60Pb40 available...

[stj]

it may say that, but german customs are bastards - they would probably steal it for not having a "CE" sticker on it.
they have built quite a reputation for stealing stuff for simply not having a sticker, mark or declaration on them.

[SilverSolder]

Shipping is expensive unless you have high volume contracts in place with the carriers.

E.g. sending a package to Norway from the US will never cost less than $14.25 with the postal service, no matter how little you put in it (max 225g).
 

[tooki]

Norway isn't even part of the EU (although it has an arrangement that requires it to implement many of the same rules).

Yep. Just like Switzerland. It’s not EU, but de facto most EU trade laws seem to apply anyway...

[OwO]

Shipping is expensive unless you have high volume contracts in place with the carriers.

E.g. sending a package to Norway from the US will never cost less than $14.25 with the postal service, no matter how little you put in it (max 225g).

ePacket from China to Norway starts at $3.5 for a 50g package and includes tracking.

[tooki]

Shipping is expensive unless you have high volume contracts in place with the carriers.

E.g. sending a package to Norway from the US will never cost less than $14.25 with the postal service, no matter how little you put in it (max 225g).

ePacket from China to Norway starts at $3.5 for a 50g package and includes tracking.

That’s fine, but of no use, since the entire point of this thread is this:

So, as I am tired with chinese solder, I'm looking to buy some brand-name solder. ...

[SilverSolder]

ePacket from China to Norway starts at $3.5 for a 50g package and includes tracking.

When you pay for sending a package from America or Europe,  you are also paying tons of other costs that have nothing to do with the actual transportation of a package - including pensions for former postal workers, etc. etc.   This is how we like to do things -  load the prices of daily goods with all kinds of costs,  and we all get surprised when we see a Chinese product that isn't loaded with those costs!

In the long run, China will probably end up the same way.  "The price is what people are willing to pay"

[Star1]

I ended my trying my luck on ebay, and I now have 100g of Stannol, and 100g of Cynel incoming, both 0.5mm and 64/40. Hopefully it is the real deal