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Stop using flux that isn't meant for the job on vintage circuit boards
Had a guy bring in a 1980s Marantz receiver last Tuesday where someone used plumber's flux on the solder joints, and the corrosion ate through three traces on the power supply board, so can we all just agree to use rosin core flux for electronics or stick to plumbing?
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thea2461mo ago
People grab whatever flux is lying around without thinking about what it's actually designed for. It's the same mentality that makes someone use dish soap in a dishwasher or WD-40 on a bike chain, works for a second then destroys everything over time. Rosin core flux is cheap enough that there's no reason to take the risk, especially on old gear where the traces are already fragile.
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ross.river1mo ago
Yeah, nothing like a little acidic flux to really preserve that vintage circuit board...
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andrew91624d ago
Little acidic flux" is honestly terrifying to read. People don't realize that stuff eats away at the copper traces over time. @thea246 is right about the mentality thing, it's like using motor oil in a lawnmower because it's slippery. I've seen boards where the original flux was clearly some random industrial crap and the pads just lift right off. Old gear especially can't take that abuse, the fiberglass is already brittle enough.
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