Liquid flux
 

I need some liquid flux for general electronics soldering work.
Often the flux in resin cored solder is enough on its own but there are times when you need a bit more flux when re-soldering.
I don't do much SMD work, so don't really need a paste.

Looking on eBay you can buy Polish made Topnik TK83 or Topnik RF800.
Despite a lot of searching I can't find out what the difference is.
Has anyone tried these?

Re: Liquid flux
 

I have used old fashioned 'Bakers fluid' for tinning home made PCBs.
It works ok but tends to spit.

Re: Liquid flux
 

Hi i use a home made flux Rosyn (for violin strings) ebay diluted in ipa about 100 gram into 500 ml works well Mick

Re: Liquid flux
 

Looking at the data sheets for the two products the only substantive difference seems to be that no cleaning is required after use with the RF800. Even so it's stated that the TK83 is non-corrosive and doesn't need to be removed after use. The impression I get is that the RF800 is designed for mass production and that the TK83 is aimed at the repair/re-work user. Both products are based on rosin (sometimes referred to as colophony).

I should say that I've never used either and dissolve a little solid rosin in a suitable solvent when needed which isn't very often.

Alan

Re: Liquid flux
 

BAKER'S FLUID

Be VERY careful when using this on anything electronic; the residue is corrosive and must be totally removed - scrub in running water, rinse , repeat, repeat...

JohnB G8jmb

Re: Liquid flux
 

No clean alcohol based liquid flux intended for electronic work:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALCOHOL-SOL...ENY3HDB835CH5J

I would’t personally use plumbing flux of any make for electronic work.

It’s corrosive and is meant to be. (‘Self clean’ on copper pipe and fittings).

It’s often not easy to clean off any residue.

Hope that’s of interest.

Re: Liquid flux
 

I find that a pad moistened with a bit of ammonium chlorde helps.

Re: Liquid flux
 

I agree with David (post#5) in general.
I have though, in the past, used this https://uk.farnell.com/multicore-loc...500g/dp/629455 with considerable success, but the work needs a good rinsing over afterwards to prevent long-term corrosion setting in. Tony.

Re: Liquid flux
 

I use TK83 all the time now after originally buying some for use with surface mount components. I would highly recommend. Being liquid, it nicely reaches parts which traditional fluxes don't and still works well with traditional cored solder. One point to note though is that it is very sticky and also it is easy to knock the opened bottle over and leave a sticky mess. Some isopropyl alcohol ready is useful. On the hands it is not easily cleaned with soap and water.

I have not used any other types to compare so cannot say. Usually I don't clean the assembled circuitry except in stringent applications.

Re: Liquid flux
 

I'm confused here. Both Topnik products are intended for electronics use (not plumbing) and the OP is looking for something to supplement standard cored solder. The original question relates to the difference between Topnik TK83 and RF800 which I tried to address in post #4. Interesting that 'ionburn' has used TK83 successfully.

Alan

Re: Liquid flux
 

A couple of decades ago I recall reading of a US company that, in an effort to become more green, found that household lemon juice made an excellent flux, as long as the item being soldered was washed afterwards. There are a couple of references to the use of lemon juice as a flux on the web.

Re: Liquid flux
 

Kester 951 (about £4 for a 10ml felt pen dispenser) is what I use. It was recommended to me by a guy who does a lot of surface mount hand soldering.

Alan