Violin rosin used as flux

[SteveNielsen]

I've tried it, crushed & powdered standard violin rosin and dissolved in 91% isopropyl alcohol and it seems to work fine as a liquid flux for soldering/de-soldering. I didn't measure anything, just put enough powdered rosin in so when completely dissolved and set for a while there's a small layer of thicker mixture of rosin at the bottom of the bottle that mixes in when shaken before use.

[budm]

Re: Violin rosin used as flux

There are some info:
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/vi...s-solder-flux/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_2ULCmA28

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make...oldering-flux/

http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Flux,_flux,_flux

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Violin rosin used as flux

Yeah, I got the idea from the same eevblog link. Thanks for the other links. Personally I like the smoke, it is incense to me. Reminiscent of Christmas trees and campfires. Being a (retired due to arthritis) musician I had a block of violin rosin hanging around with nothing to do so I've put it to use. I figured why spend money for something I can mix up right here with what I've got. I don't have any glycerine on hand or I'd have tried a drop or two of that for fun. I highly recommend a dropper over a syringe though. The rosin makes the syringe plunger stick and you wind up with a lot more of the liquid all over the work than counted on once the plunger finally moves. I haven't tried making it thick enough for a paste or goo yet, The liquid as is works fine but it does drip and run if using too much.

Mixing the rosin into 91% alcohol it did not take long at all to completely dissolve, only a hour or so.

[momaka]

Re: Violin rosin used as flux

Personally I like the smoke, it is incense to me. Reminiscent of Christmas trees and campfires.

I have some MG Chemicals liquid flux that smells like this, so I think I know what you mean . It is good for general soldering, but not so much for BGA since it evaporates and dries too quickly and usually way before the proper temperature has been reached for the reflow to take place.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Violin rosin used as flux

I also spreads over the board real fast. Perhaps adding the glycerine will help for those issues. I'll have to get some and try adding it.

[ratdude747]

Re: Violin rosin used as flux

I have some MG Chemicals liquid flux that smells like this, so I think I know what you mean . It is good for general soldering, but not so much for BGA since it evaporates and dries too quickly and usually way before the proper temperature has been reached for the reflow to take place.

Same for the paste flux in syringes they make... good for BGA work though. But very smoky and smelly...