Big Problems With Solder Pooling

by Micki
(Texas)

I wrote you a while back about having trouble with the flow of my solder, it was pooling all over the place. I changed out the flux, the solder, even my iron, still the pooling. No matter the temperature (I started using a control after this started) still the pooling, no matter what the temperature. This has been more than frustrating as I have some very important pieces to finish, and after 20+ years, this is happening. I have come to believe that there is another component in the solder. It is pooling and then setting up immediately, wheras used to you could do a bead and give it a couple of seconds to set up but it never moved off the flux. Now, I am extemely careful about where the flux is going and the solder just floats ALL over the glass!! I am at my wits end...has anybody had this happen to them, if so, what have they done to resolve the problem? I am desperate...thank you

Answer

Hi Mickie,

I have never heard of this happening and I don't know what else to tell you, but here are a few questions that might help to get an answer:

Q. Have you tried a different brand of solder, and are you using 50/50, 60/40 or lead free solder.
A. I use Canfield 60/40, had 2 new roles, both did the same thing. Not lead free. When I lay down the solder, it seems to set instantly, and if there is even the slightest flaw, where I used to be able to tap it on the side of my iron, it now just follows my iron and leaves a sharp peak!

Q. Are you using a liquid, gel or paste flux. What brand?
A. I changed my liquid flux to Studio Pro

Q. What brand of foil are you using?
A. I changed my foil and now use Venture.

One suggestion is to foil some scrap glass and solder it to see if the same problem happens.

Also, try a different brand of solder, and also check your soldering iron to see if it is getting hot enough.

Someone reading this might have experienced the same problem and can give us an answer.